Energy Conversion Technologies

Course goals

Content

The technologies covered in the course include:

• Heat-to-power cycles and technologies:
  1. Traditional power cycles: steam cycles (Rankine, including geothermal and nuclear applications), gas cycles (Brayton, gas turbine)
  2. Concentrated solar power cycles
  3. Inverse Rankine cycles for heating and cooling
• Chemical conversion for energy technologies:
  1. Syngas production from gas and biomass
  2. Carbon capture
• Direct and indirect sun-to-power technologies:
  1. Photovoltaic panels and systems
  2. Wind turbine system and technologies
  3. Hydropower systems and technologies (may be subject to change in the final version of the course schedule)

The physical relation between design of energy conversion systems and their performance is the core of this course. In order to investigate this, the student is required to open the black box of energy conversion systems. Instead of characterizing a system by inputs, outputs and lumped performance indicators, the student will study the scientific principles underlying the considered systems, and understand how performance indicators (e.g. 1^st and 2^nd law efficiency) can be rigorously computed. Applying basic principles will allow for (i) the identification of maximum theoretical conversion efficiencies, (ii) the comparison with actual efficiencies, and (iii) understanding where improvements are(still) possible. This course is subdivided in three parts as depicted above.