Introduction of basic knowledge of renewable energy technologies related to wind energy, biomass, geothermal energy and mini hydropower. Acquiring knowledge necessary for understanding the functioning of wind energy, biomass, geothermal energy and mini hydropower and for the selection, installation, inspection and maintenance of their respective units. The understanding and use of methods for sizing renewable energy installations related to wind energy, biomass, geothermal energy and mini hydropower. Obtaining energy conciousness by the students. 

The laboratory part of the course, includes a large number of laboratory exercises to understand several concepts from the theory of solar geometry, thermal conversion of active solar systems, absorptance-transmittance of materials in solar radiation, photovoltaics, fuel cell and wind turbine. In most exercises, measurements are taken to the outside environment, while in all the experimental exercises, measurements obtained are processed and results analyzed by the students. 

Course Description  

Theory: The source of the wind. Measurement of wind speed and direction. Distribution of wind velocity. Statistical model for wind data analysis. Wind potential. Power available in the wind.  Horizontal and vertical axis wind turbine. Power curve of the wind turbine. Conversion of wind energy. Stand alone and grid connected systems. Applications. Photosynthetic process. Biofuel classification. Biomass conversion and end –use technologies. Direct combustion. Pyrolysis. Gasification. Biogas production. Design of biogas plant. Production and use of ethanol and methanol. Production of vegetable oil fuels. Social and environmental aspect. Case studies. Nature of geothermal resources. Geothermal systems classifications. Utilization of geothermal resources. Electricity generation. Direct application of geothermal energy. Geothermal sources in Greece. Present situation and perspectives. Applications. Definition and classification of small hydropower. Fundamentals theory of hydropower generation. Civil work of small hydropower plants. Small hydraulic turbines. Electrical equipment in small hydropower plants. Current situation in Greece and worldwide.  Social and environmental aspect.

Laboratory: Determination of the voltage- current characteristic of a fuel cell.  Total solar irradiance on an inclined surface. Determination of the transmittance of a transparent material.  Determination of the Characteristic Curve (I – V) of a Photovoltaic panel. Temperature behavior of different absorber surfaces. Influence of the flow rate and wind speed on the efficiency of a flat plate solar collector.  Calculation of the efficiency of a solar thermal system. Calculation of the instantaneous efficiency of a flat plate solar collector.   Determination of the characteristic curve of a wind turbine. Performance evaluation of a solar space heating using f-hart method. 

Expected Course Outcome

After the completion of the Laboratory part of this course, students will be able to: 

 

• Understand completely the phenomena that enter into the process of transformation of the solar and wind energy to useful energy as well as the corresponding technology
• Understand the operation of the particular devices, laboratory equipment or systems typical for their field of study. 

 

At the end of the course, students will be able to : 

 

• Undertake technical feasibility studies of renewable technology projects to meet energy needs.
• Design, sizing, test and assess the performance of renewable technology projects
• Identify and appreciate the factors affecting the performance of renewable energy technologies
• Present analytical studies for the quantification of biomass resources and wind potential 

 

Bibliography

Greek:

 

1. I.Κ. Καλδέλλης, “Διαχείριση της Αιολικής Ενέργειας “, Εκδ. Αθ. Σταμούλης, 2004. 

 

English:

 

1. G. Boyle, "Renewable Energy - Power for a sustainable development", Oxford, 1996
2. G. N. Tiwari & Μ. Κ. Ghosal, “Renewable energy resources”, Alpha Science 2005.
3. J. Twidell & T. Weir, “Renewable energy resources”, Taylor and Francis, 2006.