Selected Topics in Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Storage

• 26 hrs lectures
• 26 hrs laboratories

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the basics of renewable energy sources and energy storage and to provide them with the information necessary for advanced courses. During the course, students will become acquainted with the theoretical foundations. They will primarily learn about the utilization of wind, solar, and water energy for conversion into electrical energy, and the possibilities of its storage, with electrochemical sources, and so on.
In this course, students will acquire both theoretical and practical foundations in the field of renewable energy sources and energy storage. Based on this knowledge, they will be able to competently analyze and propose solutions in the field of renewable energy sources and energy storage. The student will be able to suggest suitable locations for wind, photovoltaic, and hydroelectric power plants, explain the operating principle of a heat pump, and propose appropriate energy storage methods. The student will be familiar with facts concerning the production and utilization of electrical energy from renewable sources, including emission and environmental impacts. The student will be theoretically prepared for subsequent courses in the areas of renewable and alternative electrical energy sources. 

The course is designed as introduction to the topic of renewable energy sources and energy storage. There is no need to any other prerequisites, knowledge obtained during secondary (middle) school is sufficient.

• Dell, R.M.a Rand, D.J., Clean energy, Athenaeum Press Ltd, UK
• Boyle, G., Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press, USA
• Quaschning, V., Understanding Renewable Energy Systems, Earthscan Publications Ltd., USA

1. Wind energy
2. Solar energy
3. Water energy
4. Earth's core energy
5. Biomass energy
6. Energy storages
7. Combined hybrid nitrogen system
8. Electric energy in RAPS applications
9. Hybrid electric vehicles
10. Energy storage with help of flywheel and compressed air
11. Energy storage with help of supercapacitors and SMES systems
12. Utilization of low potential thermal residual energy

1. Introduction into laboratory exercises
2. The frequency response and spectrum of PV module
3. VA characteristics of PV module at different intensities of light
4. Accumulation of electric energy using flywheel
5. Accumulation of thermal energy in the form of sensible and latent heat
6. Combinations and electrical efficiency of supercapacitors, supercapacitors energy utilization
7. Small water wheel generator
8. Power efficiency of small wind turbine
9. Use of the thermoelectric phenomenon for energy acquisition
10. Verification od Beketov's metal series
11. Energy of compressed gas
12. Heat pump systems

The theoretical lab. test consisting of knowledge from laboratory exercises is awarded 10 points maximum. Students can get another 30 points maximum for all correctly and fully elaborated laboratory tasks. Minimal extent of elaborated laboratory tasks and other conditions needed for successful completion of the course are stated in the announcement issued by the supervisor of the course each year. The final exam is awarded 60 points maximum
The content, forms and conditions for course passing will be specified by rules and regulations which are released by the lecturer responsible for the course and keep updated for every academic year.

Communication via e-mail. Consultation by prior arrangement.