The aim of the course is to introduce students to different forms of renewable energy sources (RES). The focus is on the production of electricity from renewable energy sources. In doing so, students will be introduced to different technologies for conversion the energy of a particular renewable source into electricity. As part of the course, students are encouraged to think rationally when evaluating different technologies of electricity production from RES, both from a technical and financial point of view, and their impact on the environment.

Student responsibilities:

Class attendance, consultations and preparation of planned tasks.

Grading and evaluation of student work over the course of instruction and at a final exam:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to (learning outcomes):

1 . Distinguish different renewable energy sources for electricity generation.

2 . Identify the main characteristics of individual renewable energy sources.

3 . Recognize the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

4 . Group the positive and negative characteristics of each renewable energy source.

5 . Sketch the power plant configuration for the application of a particular renewable energy source.

6 . Interpret energy conversion in power plant components for utilize a single renewable energy source.

7 . Formulate the optimal configuration of the power plant based on the characteristics of each renewable energy source.

8 . Evaluate technical and economic parameters of power plants on renewable energy sources.

9 . Assess the environmental impact of power plants on renewable energy sources.

Lectures

1. INTRODUCTION. Introduction with single renewable energy sources (RES), especially in the context of electricity generation. RES characteristics. The difference with regard to non-renewable energy sources. World and potentials in the Republic of Croatia. Impact of RES on the environment.

2. SMALL HYDROPOWER PLANTS. INTRODUCTION: Short history. Definition of small hydropower plants (SHP). Differences between large and small hydropower plants. Contex of SHP. Total installed SHP capacity. SHP and environmental constraints. TECHNICAL OUTLINE: From water to electricity. Site configurations. A SHP schemes. THE WATER RESOURCE AND ITS POTENTIAL: Measurement of the available head. Measurement of the flow. CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS: Major components of a SHP Scheme. Weirs and intakes. Canals. Penstocks. Tailraces. ELECTROMECHANICAL EQUIPMENT: Powerhouse. Hidraulic turbines. Drive system. Generators. Control equipment. IMPLICATION: Social. Environmental. Economic.

3. SMALL HYDROPOWER PLANTS. INTRODUCTION: Short history. Definition of small hydropower plants (SHP). Differences between large and small hydropower plants. Contex of SHP. Total installed SHP capacity. SHP and environmental constraints. TECHNICAL OUTLINE: From water to electricity. Site configurations. A SHP schemes. THE WATER RESOURCE AND ITS POTENTIAL: Measurement of the available head. Measurement of the flow. CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS: Major components of a SHP Scheme. Weirs and intakes. Canals. Penstocks. Tailraces. ELECTROMECHANICAL EQUIPMENT: Powerhouse. Hidraulic turbines. Drive system. Generators. Control equipment. IMPLICATION: Social. Environmental. Economic.

4. WIND POWER PLANTS. INTRODUCTION: Shot history-windmills. How wind turbine work. Wind. DESIGN: Types of wind turbines. Sizes of wind turbines. Parts of wind turbine. Speed and power control. WIND FARMS. INTEGRATION INTO SUPPLY NETWORKS. OPERATION CHARACTERISTICS: Tip speed ratio. Cut-in speed. Rated speed. Cut-out speed. Betz Limit. Wind power. Power curve. "Capacity factor". "Availability". INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE AND SYSTEM LIFE. SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: Aesthetics and visibility, Noise factor, Television interference, Effects on wildlife.

5. WIND POWER PLANTS. INTRODUCTION: Shot history-windmills. How wind turbine work. Wind. DESIGN: Types of wind turbines. Sizes of wind turbines. Parts of wind turbine. Speed and power control. WIND FARMS. INTEGRATION INTO SUPPLY NETWORKS. OPERATION CHARACTERISTICS: Tip speed ratio. Cut-in speed. Rated speed. Cut-out speed. Betz Limit. Wind power. Power curve. "Capacity factor". "Availability". INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE AND SYSTEM LIFE. SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: Aesthetics and visibility, Noise factor, Television interference, Effects on wildlife.

6. GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS. EARTH GEOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY: Introduction. The structure of the Earth. Geothermal gradient and flow. Types and division of geothermal sources. STATUS OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY USE IN THE WORLD AND CROATIA: Geothermal energy resources. Ways of geothermal energy using. TYPES OF GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS: Geothermal power plants with single evaporation. Double evaporation geothermal power plants. Dry steam geothermal power plants. Geothermal power plants with binary cycle. TECHNICAL, ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION FROM GEOTHERMAL ENERGY.

7. GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS. EARTH GEOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY: Introduction. The structure of the Earth. Geothermal gradient and flow. Types and division of geothermal sources. STATUS OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY USE IN THE WORLD AND CROATIA: Geothermal energy resources. Ways of geothermal energy using. TYPES OF GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS: Geothermal power plants with single evaporation. Double evaporation geothermal power plants. Dry steam geothermal power plants. Geothermal power plants with binary cycle. TECHNICAL, ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION FROM GEOTHERMAL ENERGY.

8. MARINE POWER PLANTS. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATIONS: Basic principles of marine energy technologies for electricity production. Short hystory. Geografical assessment. TECHNOLOGY: Tidal energy conversion systems. Wave energy conversion systems. Marine current energy conversion systems. Ocean thermal energy conversion systems. Salinity gradient energy conversion sstems. IMPLICATIONS: Social. Environmental. Economical.

9. SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS. Technologies and designs: parabolic through and dishes, solar towers, linear Fresnel reflectors. Radiation concentration. Cycles. Working fluids. Prerequisites for application. Comparison with other renewable energy sources: size, energy storage, price, competitiveness. Advantages and disadvantages. Plant configuration and components. System utilization. Thermal storages: role, performance, sizing. Hybrid versions of solar thermal power plants.

10. PV POWER PLANTS. Solar energy direct conversion into electrical energy through the photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic cell types. Connecting photovoltaic cells into modules, strings, and arrays. Mathematical model of photovoltaic cells. Solar power plants for electrical energy generation. Review of the current status.

11. BIOMASS POWER PLANTS. Forest biomass. Sustainable forest growth. Physical and chemical properties of biomass. Extraction, transport, preparation and storage of forest and solid agricultural biomass. Combustion and gasification technologies. Cogeneration of power and heat. Typical plant configurations. Economic and environmental aspects of energy use of biomass. Environmental impact. Emission limits. Flue gas cleaning equipment and treatment. Potential of fast growing energy crops.

12. BIOMASS AND BIOFUELS. Introduction. Basic definitions. Importance and potential of biomass in the metabolism of civilization. Direct and indirect forms of energy from biomass. Biomass and greenhouse gases - the ratio of biomass as a construction material and as a biofuel. Biofuel production technologies from biomass. Generations of biofuels. Basic physico-chemical characteristics of biofuels (gaseous, liquid, solid). Biofuel application technologies. Impact of biofuels on the environment, comparison with impacts of conventional fuels.

13. BIOMASS: BIOGAS AND SYNTHETIC FUELS. Division: cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, volatile matter, and ash. The basic features of biomass as a fuel. Current ways of usage. Anaerobic digestion. Biorefinery operation. Application of different sources of raw materials. The ecological impact of raw material recovery in biorefinery production. Optimization of raw material supply chains with a special focus on biogas. Review of conventional and advanced technologies. Thermochemical procedures for improving the properties of waste biomass. Biofuel combustion properties. Future technologies. Biomass in smart energy systems based on RES. Definition and types of synthetic fuels (e-fuels). Technologies for the production of synthetic fuels. Application of synthetic fuels in existing and in new technologies.

14. HYDROGEN. Hydrogen production. Electrolyzers. Mathematical model of electrolyzer. Hydrogen usage. Fuel cells. Mathematical model of fuel cell. Hydrogen storage. Hydrogen transportation. State of the art and perspective of hydrogen.

15. FIELD WORK.

Exercises

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Compulsory literature:

3. “Small Hydro Power Plants”, unreviewed lecture materials, Zvonimir Guzović, FSB, Zagreb, 0000, p. 0-0

4. “Wind Power Plants”, unreviewed lecture materials, Hrvoje Jasak, FSB, Zagreb, 0000, p. 0-0

Recommended literature: