34631 - Energy Systems Engineering M

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge necessary to acquire skills related to renewable and fossil fuel conversion energy systems electricity and/or heat production.

Course contents

Geothermal energy

Geothermal systems typologies: hydrothermal, dry hot stones, molten rocks, pressurized geothermal systems for ground heat exploitation. Steam water wells: ambient pressure discharge and condenser configurations. Dominant water wells: flash and binary cycles. Ground coupled heat pumps, ground water heat pumps and surface water heat pumps: layout, performance and applications.

Hydraulic energy

Main characteristics and classification: hydroelectric reservoir plants and flow water hydro-plants, classification based on available head and achievable power. Pelton, Francis, propeller and Kaplan turbines. Energy from the sea: tidal power plants, wave energy, seas temperature gradient. Pumped hydro-systems.

Solar energy

Main characteristics, irradiation outside and inside of the atmosphere, energy conversion potentiality. Photovoltaic solar panels, thermal solar panels, concentrated solar power. Maximum temperature evaluation of a solar collector.

Wind energy

Main characteristics, wind power, power density, external efficiency, coefficient of power, Betz-Lancaster limit. Design criticisms, wind conditions analysis for the installation site.

Gas Turbine

Simple cycle gas turbines, estimation of power, specific work, efficiency, etc.

Complex Cycle Gas turbine

  gas turbine cycle with Heat Recovery, with Inter Coolet and With ReHeat

Steam Power Plants

Rankine cycle, Hirn Cycle, Adoption of bleed ports, Reheat, etc.

Combined Cycle Power Plants

Lay-out of 1PL, 2PL

Combined Heat and Power

CHP lay-outs, European Regulation and Italian Regulation

 

Readings/Bibliography

"Sistemi Energetici" G. Negri di Montenegro, M. Bianchi, A. Peretto – Pitagora Editore

"Sistemi Energetici: Complementi" M. Bianchi, F. Melino, A. Peretto – Pitagora Editore

Teaching methods

The course consists of 6 credits in two modules.

Each module includes theory lessons and/or a series of numerical examples

Assessment methods

The examination at the end of the course aims to assess the achievement of learning objectives, verifying the knowledge that the students have acquired about the coure topics.
The final grade is defined by a single oral exam, testing the student's knowledge in all topics covered in the 6 CFU

Teaching tools

Teaching material presented in class will be made available to the student in electronic format via internet.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Melino

See the website of Lisa Branchini