| This module is an advanced module in renewable energy engineering covering engineering design and optimisation, energy/exergy analysis, performance enhancement and techno-economics of various renewable energy systems (e.g. solar, biomass, wind, hydro, geothermal, tidal and wave). The module is designed with an engineering focus that deals with renewable energy systems. Particular emphasis is given to the application of thermodynamic and fluid dynamic processes on which the component design of the renewable energy system is based, as it plays a significant role in the optimisation of the efficiency of the derived configuration. The module requires a fundamental understanding of undergraduate applied thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid dynamics.
Geothermal energy engineering: resources & reserves; geo-engineering, geothermal heating and cooling; relevant thermodynamic cycles; geothermal power plant equipment and components, CHP, DH & GSHP.
Solar energy engineering: solar radiation, solar resource analysis and assessment; thermal collectors (e.g. glazed and unglazed flat plate, evacuated tubes, etc.); relevant thermodynamic power cycles; thermal energy storage; solar PV/CPV design and analysis; PV configuration; solar power plant equipment and components, solar ponds; passive solar applications (e.g. Trombe wall, solar heat gain through windows/walls, shading, sol-air temperature).
Biomass-to-energy engineering: feedstock; fuels (e.g. ethanol, biodiesel, biomethane, biogas, etc.) anaerobic digestion; combustion engineering & technologies; thermal gasification & pyrolysis; prime movers; co-firing; relevant thermodynamic cycles, biomass power plant equipment and components, CHP.
Hydroelectric power engineering: applied hydrologic engineering; powerhouse equipment; hydraulic components; hydrodynamics of impulse and reaction runners; draft tube hydraulics and cavitation; turbine scaling laws; dimensionless hydro-turbine parameters; specific speed; hydro-turbine sizing / selection; hydro-turbine performance curves; pumped hydro-storage; run-of-river turbines; tidal & wave energy (time permitting).
Wind power engineering: wind resource analysis and assessment; relevant statistical models for wind data analysis; wind power potential and density; WT types (e.g. VAWT & HAWT); WTG components; rotor aerodynamics; WT power performance curves; WT sizing / optimisation. Electricity production from WTGs.
