Course syllabus - Introduction to sustainable energy system

Objectives

The course aims to give the participants a deeper understanding of the possibilities and limitations for future energy systems. The course will also provide with the knowledge of technology and systems used to convert the energy content of a fuel into heat and electricity. The course will also provide knowledge about solar and wind energy systems. After the course the participants should know the main features of the components of different energy systems and should be able to perform different calculations. The course develops students' individual abilities regarding: written presentations; information seeking, critical examination of information, literature and other material.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course students should be able to:
- Apply the methodologies to analyze complex sustainable energy systems
- Describe and apply the concept of sustainable development. Analyze various strategies for sustainable energy supply taking into account the ecological, economic and social aspects
- Fully describe and illustrate advanced concepts within energy technology
- Have some knowledge of research and development in sustainable energy
- Describe the principle of converting solar energy, wind energy, biomass, into electricity and heat
-demonstrate broad knowledge and perform calculations in Solar and Wind Power
- Describe the combustion process and calculate the flue gas composition and boiler efficiency
- Make fuel analyzes using metrology equipment, and evaluate and report on a combustion plant performance and environmental impact from the collected data and own measurements
- Use thermodynamic relationships and equations to calculate and analyze different types of power / thermal processes in terms of economy, technology and environment
- Describe the principle of different types of power and heat generation and the components that occur in power and heating plants
- Show abilities for scientific writing and oral presentations

Course content

The course provides basic knowledge on issues related to society's energy and sustainable development. The course deals with different fuels, combustion process and the emissions produced during combustion. The course covers combustion installations and technical equipment used for gas cleaning. The course includes review of the thermodynamic cycle for converting heat into mechanical energy, steam cycle with heat from different fuels, gas turbine cycle and energy conversion in turbines. The course provides an overview of solar and wind power with respect to technology, environmental impact, economics, problems and opportunities.

Tuition

Lectures, seminars, group work, labs, tutoring, field trips, exercises.
The course will use an educational (web based) platform for communication, discussion and presentation of course materials.

Specific requirements

75 credits completed courser within an engineering program or within engineering which includes the courses Applied Thermodynamics 7,5 credits, Mechanics of Fluids 7,5 credits and Heat and Mass Transfer 7,5 credits, or similar.

Examination

Assignment (INL1), 5 credits, marks 3, 4 or 5
Laboration (LAB 1), 1,5 credits, marks Pass (G)
Seminar (SEM1), 1 credit, marks Pass (G)

Compulsory attendance to laboratory sessions and seminars.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass with credit, Pass, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course overlaps with following courses:
3 credits with WER009 Heat and power tecnology basic course and 3 credits with ERA203 Heat and power tecnology
2 credits with WER005 Heat and power tecnology basic course and 2 credits with ERA105 Windpower and Hydropower
0,5 credits with WER010 Combustion and Flue Gas Cleaning Technology and 0,5 credits with ERA202 Combustion and Flue Gas Cleaning Technology
2 credits with ERA107 Solar Cells and Solar Panels