On completion of this subject the student should be able to:
1. Identify and provide examples of renewable and non-renewable energy sources;
2. Discuss the variables affecting the direct uses of solar radiation;
3. Explain the photovoltaic process by which solar energy is converted into electricity;
4. Discuss the basic solar cell design parameters;
5. Describe the design of mechanical hydro pumps and of hydroelectric systems;
6. Explain how energy is obtained from the wind, the oceans and the Earth’s interior;
7. Identify and discuss factors affecting the storage and distribution of energy from each kind of electricity generation system.
Types of energy: mechanical, electromagnetic, thermal, nuclear and chemical; Energy sources, their classification as renewable or non-renewable, review of fluid mechanics, Bernoulli’s equation, viscosity; Laminar and turbulent flow in pipes; Review of heat transfer processes: transfer of heat by mass transport, circuit analogues, direct applications of solar energy: space and water heating, distillation of water, crop and timber drying; Indirect applications of solar energy: photovoltaics, effect of radiation on the p-n junction, design of solar cells; Hydro-power: mechanical considerations, the hydraulic ram pump, micro hydroelectric schemes; Wind power: wind characteristics, types of wind turbine, thrust, torque and drag, efficiency of energy extraction, dynamic matching, mechanical power and electricity generation; Geophysical energy sources: ocean thermal energy conversion, geothermal energy, design of heat exchanges, energy storage and distribution, chemical and electrical storage, fuel cells, mechanical storage, factors affecting distribution.
Twidell, J. W., Weir, A. D., Renewable energy resources, E & FN Spon, London, UK, 1986.
Rai, G. D., Non-conventional energy sources, Khanna Publishers, Delhi, India, 1992.
Quaschning, Volker, Understanding renewable energy systems, Earthscan, London, UK, 2005.
Manwell, J. F., McGowan, J. G., Rogers, A. L., Wind energy explained, Wiley, Chichester, USA, 2002.
Markvart, Tomas, Solar electricity, John Wiley and Sons, New York, USA, 2000.
Continuous assessment 40%
Written examination 60% (1×3 hrs.)
Phone: +675 473 4999 Fax: +675 475 7776
