FUNDAMENTALS OF ENERGY SYSTEMS

Energy, environmental and human aspects are very important for the present and future of the planet and human activities. After centuries of resource exploitation, a paradigm shift is needed in which human and natural ecosystems are able to co-exist and evolve together. In this perspective, the supply, use, exploitation of energy resources and the reduction of the environmental impact, resulting from their use, not only represent important issues of a political-economic nature, but they are a real technical pivotal challange. The energy transition already underway is the fundamental step towards this change.

Students will acquire a broad and fundamental knowledge of issues such as: energy systems, energy resources and sources, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) objectives, past-present-future energy scenarios and from the point of view of emissions, environmental impact, transition energy, mobility, challenges and limits posed by current technology. They will be able to understand the general functioning of systems for the production of electricity, recognizing their advantages, disadvantages, problems, historical evolution and future challenges. All of this, placed in a topical perspective of the topics covered, will allow the student to create his own reasoned and scientific idea on topics of great interest for this historical period, providing him with the necessary tools to understand what is happening in the world.

The are no specific pre-requirements. The course is meant for all those who have a propensity and interest in energy, environmental and human areas.

The main objective is to provide general knowledge on nowadays energy challenge.

In particular we propose to:
-provide knowledge on the production, distribution and use of energy in its various forms taking into consideration both renewable and non-renewable sources;
-assess the environmental and socio-economic implications of energy systems especially in regard of climate change and the effects on the environment and health of human beings.

During the course, the main topics covered will be the following.
- Introduction to the concepts of energy and power, fossil and renewable sources, forms of energy and their conversion.
- Focus on the international and Italian energy situation, needs, consumption and emissions. Climate goals, Demographic trends in correlation with energy consumption in the world, Emission scenarios, national energy mix and policies toward low-emission power generation.
- Thermodynamics. Quantities of state and quantities of exchange. Zero principle, first and second principles of thermodynamics, thermodynamic cycles, definition of the efficiency of a cycle. Examples of practical implementation of direct and inverse cycles. Efficiencies for electrical and thermal production.
- Fossil fuels: definitions, focus on individual sources and their use in the energy sector (coal, oil, natural gas), historical trends, analysis of demand, consumption and production worldwide, reserves and depletion time, price trends and historical events, storage and trade, producers, exporters and importers, environmental and social impacts.
- Renewable energy sources (RES): definition and potential of different renewable sources (wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar photovoltaic and other uses of solar energy, biomass), future advantages and opportunities considering all aspects of energy transition, critical issues and limitations related to their use, importance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis.
- Hints at energy production from nuclear power and through wave and tidal motion.
- Energy systems in buildings: HVAC production systems. Heating, cooling and ventilation needs of buildings. Common systems: boilers and heat pumps.
- Energy-environment interaction: air pollution and emissions. Common environmental issues: ozone hole, acid rain, anthropogenic greenhouse effect. The high PM rates in the Po Valley.
- The new challenges of energy transition, decarbonization, smart grids, energy communities, electric mobility and the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier.

There are no reference texts.
The material will be provided by the teacher and will consist of course slides, additional in-depth documents, main sources used during the lessons such as reporting and analysis documents, and other material of interest that can stimulate the student's curiosity and knowledge even beyond the end of the course.

The exam to verify the students' learning of the course contents will be written with open questions on the topics covered during classes.

Frontal teaching with the support of slides and video projection.

Italian

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development