95943 - CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES FOR ENERGY TRANSITION

Learning outcomes

The course will introduce the student to technologies for the production and valorisation of energy resources in the energy transition scenario. The students attending the course will gain knowledge of the main processes involving the production of biofuels, synthetic fuels and energy vectors, as well as of their integration with conventional fuels. The students will also be introduced to technical and environmental performance parameters of the processes, in the framework of sustainability and life-cycle analysis.

Course contents

Introduction to the course

Part 1: The general frame of Energy Transition and Clean Energy Technologies

• Introduction to the current status and new challenges on clean technologies for energy production
• Processes for the generation of energy from renewable sources
• Technological solutions for the production of gaseous and liquid biofuels
• Technological solutions for the production of gaseous and liquid e-fuels
• Processes for the production of hydrogen on an industrial scale
• Application of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage strategies
• Hybrid generation, successful applications in onshore and offshore systems
• Risk trade-off related to the implementation of new technologies

Part 2: Energy transition and decarbonisation: the Italian case

• The Italian energy system, its specific features (structural weaknesses and strengths) in relation to the European targets at 2030 and 2050
• The Fit for 55 package and REpowerEU
• Decarbonising energy generation, including storage and grid problems
• Decarbonising transport, with focus on electrification of light vehicles and vans, the issues around heavy duty road transport, railways, ships and airplanes; promoting shift to sustainable transport; decarbonising energy carriers
• Decarbonising industry, with specific cases for some "hard-to-abate" sectors
• Decarbonising buildings and residential areas
• Decarbonising and reducing non-CO2 emissions from agriculture and animal husbandry
• Wrap-up

Part 3: Case-Study

• Case study: comparison of alternative solutions for the decarbonisation of industrial systems

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture slides and integrative supporting material will be available on-line by virtuale service. A password is required for access.

Teaching methods

Classes

Tutorials

Self-directed work

Final case-study (homework)

Assessment methods

Students will be required to sit a written test including multiple choice and short open answer questions.

In order to be allowed sitting the exam, the students must deliver at least one week in advance a report on the assigned case-study.

The exam is set to evaluate the students' knowledge-level, application abilities, and technical communication skills.

Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, a high ability for critical application, and a clear and concise presentation of their ideas.

To obtain a passing grade, students must have completed the case-studies proposed during the lessons, and are required to know the key concepts of the subject, to demonstrate some ability for critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language.

A failing grade will be awarded if the student has not completed the case-studies proposed during the lessons, shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Office hours

See the website of Valerio Cozzani

See the website of Andrea Tilche

See the website of Gianmaria Pio