Energy Conversion and Renewable Energy (EPFL)

Abstract

The goal of the lecture is to present the principles of the energy conversion for conventional and renewable energy resources and to explain the most important parameters that define the energy conversion efficiency, resources implications and economics of the energy conversion technologies.

Objective

By the end of the course, the student must be able to: - Explain the efficiency and the main emission sources of energy conversion processes - Quantify the efficiency and the main emission sources of energy conversion processes - Model energy conversion systems and industrial processes - Draw the energy balances of an energy conversion system - Elaborate energy conversion scenarios - Describe the principles and limitations of the main energy conversion technologies - Compare energy conversion systems

Content

- Overview of energy stakes - Thermodynamic principles relevant for energy conversion systems, review of thermodynamic power cycles, heat pumps and refrigeration cycles, co-generation - Carbon capture and sequestration - Renewable energy vectors, their physical principles and essential equations: Solar (photovoltaics and thermal - collectors/concentrators), geothermal, biomass (a.o. gasification, biogases, liquid biofuels), hydro, wind - Fuel cells and hydrogen as energy vector - Storage of energy: Batteries, compressed air, pumped hydro, thermal storage - Integrated urban systems

Resources