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701-0962-00L 4 Credits BSC , MSC D-USYS , D-ERDW , D-MAVT , D-BAUG , D-ITET , D-CHAB

Renewable Energy Technologies I

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Alexander Wokaun, Prof. em. Dr. Aldo Steinfeld
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:14:45

Abstract

Scenarios for world energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Implications for global climate and ecosystems. Methods for the assessment of energy chains. Potential and technology of renewable energies: Biomass (heat, electricity, biofuels), solar energy (low and high temperature heat, solar thermal and photovoltaic electricity, solar chemistry). Wind, heat pumps, geothermal energy. CO2 sequestration.

Objective

Scenarios for the development of world primary energy consumption are introduced. Students know the potential and limitations of renewable energies for reducing CO2 emissions, and their contribution towards a future sustainable energy system that respects climate protection goals.

Content

Scenarios for the development of world energy consumption, energy intensity and economic development. Energy conversion chains, primary energy sources and availability of raw materials. Methods for the assessment of energy systems, ecological balances and life cycle analysis of complete energy chains. Biomass: carbon reservoirs and the carbon cycle, energetic utilisation of biomass, agricultural production of energy carriers, biofuels. Solar energy: solar collectors, solar-thermal power stations, solar chemistry, photovoltaics, photochemistry. Wind energy, wind power stations. Geothermal energy: heat pumps, hot steam and hot water resources, hot dry rock (HDR) technique. Chemical energy storage, hydrogen storage. Greenhouse gas mitigation, CO2 sequestration, chemical bonding of CO2. Consequences of human energy use for ecological systems, atmosphere and climate.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes will be distributed during the course.

Literature

- Heinloth, K.: Die Energiefrage (Vieweg, 2003) - Kaltschmitt, M., Wiese, A., Streicher, W.: Erneuerbare Energien (Springer, 2003) - Atkins, P.: Physikalische Chemie (VCH) - Tester, J.W., Drake, E.M., Golay, M.W., Driscoll, M.J., Peters, W.A.: Sustainable Energy - Choosing Among Options (MIT Press, 2005)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 120 minutes
Aids
Only calculator; no other materials. Nur Taschenrechner; keinerlei andere Unterlagen.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Renewable Energy Technologies I
  • Tue 14:15-17:00 (ML E 12)
3 h weekly

Offered In