Renewable and non conventional sources of electrical energy

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).

4 credits

30.0 h + 15.0 h

Teacher(s)

De Jaeger Emmanuel (coordinator); Jacques Pascal;

Language

English

Main themes

Generalities about electrical energy supply
Renewable energy: solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind, marine
Storage of electrical energy
Thermoelectric conversion
Magnetocaloric conversion
Fuel Cells

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

In consideration of the reference table AA of the program "master in electrical engineering ", this course contributes to the development, to the acquisition and to the evaluation of the following experiences of learning:

AA1.1, AA1.2, AA1.3
AA2.1, AA2.2
AA3.1, AA3.2
AA5.3, AA5.4
AA6.1, AA6.2, AA6.3

Specifically, at the end of the course, students will be able to :

Discuss the place of electricity in the general frame of energy resources;
Do the preliminary sizing of a power generation facility based on the exploitation of renewable resources (eg photovoltaic);
Model the components of a photovoltaic system (autonomous or connected to an electric power grid: modules, power electronic converters, batteries, regulators, auxiliaries) towards its simulation and optimization;
Understand the operation of wind turbines and their operating issues;
Understand how marine energy converters and systems work;
Understand the energy management and power systems problems linked to the penetration of renewable energy;
Understand the principles of thermoelectric and magnetocaloric conversion;
Address technical and specialized literature on all these topics.

Content

Introduction: energy context
Introduction to photovoltaic solar: preliminary design of a system (autonomous or connected to the power distribution grid)
Aspects of the behaviour of photovoltaic systems in real conditions
Characterization and modelling of photovoltaic modules
Interfaces for photovoltaic modules
Characterization of irradiance, sky modelling
Introduction to solar thermal energy
Introduction to wind turbines; mechanical and electrical aspects (types of generators and grid connection, specific problems)
Introduction to marine energy conversion technologies (tidal power, wave power, tidal current energy, osmotic power)
Energy storage techniques in the context of the exploitation of renewable energy sources
Introduction to the thermoelectric effect
Implementation of thermoelectric converters
Magnetocaloric effect
Implementation outlook of the magnetocaloric effect
Introduction to fuel cells

Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The course consists of lectures that aim to describe the general context, the main concepts, the physical principles involved, the models, the methods of calculation and assessment as well as to provide comments on certain specific technology information.
Numerical application exercises (problems) are proposed.
Course participants are invited to propose solutions and provide reports in groups of two or three people. These reports are evaluated and discussed.
A laboratory is organized on the theme of thermoelectricity

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Students are assessed during an oral examination, for which they can have the courses and their personal notes supports.
Exercises (with reports subject to evaluation during the semester) are taken into account for the final grade.

Other information

According to the opportunities and practical availability, the course can be completed by technical visits and / or seminars given by experts from industry

Online resources

Moodle
http://moodleucl.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=5343

Bibliography