RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

This course has as the concept of energy as central topic. It is key for the student to familiarize with the concept of energy and energy production to fully grasp the key role that energy is playing in the climate change context. The course aims at providing an introduction to the analysis of energy systems and technologies, with particular focus on the impact of energy extraction, conversion and use on the emission of green-house gases. The aim is to provide to the student all the knowledge needed to shape his/her informed opinion over the different energy systems and sources.

Students will be introduced to the main issues and advantages connected to the use of the different forms of energy (renewable and not renewable). A critical thinking will be encouraged on the topic of energy and use of resources.

Basic Physics concepts.

1) Introduction.
I and Law of Thermodinamics.
Enthalpy, Free energy and Exergy. Energy efficiency indicators.
Energy balances and energy statistics: energy extraction, conversion and use.
Energy and emission of GHG (Green House Gases)
Electric grid and its interaction with the production and the demand
Ecological footprint
2) Renewable Energy sources.
- Photovoltaics
- Hydroelectric
- Wind
- Solar power
- Geothermal
- Co-generation
- Anaerobic digestion

Lecture notes provided by the teacher.

Students will be assessed based on:
1) written exercise and questions on unit of measure concerning the thermodynamic concepts presented in the first part of the course.;
2) One open question on the topics of the second part of the course.

written

28-30L: Mastery of the topics covered in lectures and provided materials; ability to prioritize information effectively; use of appropriate technical terminology. Correct execution of the exercise and correct use of units of measurement.

26-27: Good knowledge of the topics covered in lectures; reasonable ability to structure and present information; familiarity with technical terminology. Mostly correct execution of the exercise and correct use of units of measurement.

22-25: Knowledge of the topics covered in lectures is not always in-depth; occasional misuse of technical terminology; answers contain inaccuracies.

18-21: Partial knowledge of the topics covered in lectures, with some gaps; answers are sometimes unclear, with limited use of technical terminology. The exercise is only partially correct.

The main theoretical concepts will be introduced in class lectures, using also slides which will be given to the students, and applied by means of simple numerical examples.

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