Course title | Solar Energy Applications (Theory and Laboratory)
Course code | ELEN11
Type of course | Elective
Level of course | Postgraduate (MSc)
Year of study | First
Semester | First
ECTS credits | 6
Name of lecturer(s) | Yiannis Tripanagnostopoulos,Associate Professor
Learning outcomes | At the end of this course the student should be able to 1. Know the principles of physics and the technologies that have been developed for the collection, conversion and utilization of solar energy, to cover several energy loads. 2. Study the geometry and operation of systems and arrays that collect and convert solar radiation into other energy forms and are applied to buildings, industry and agricultural sector, to large solar thermal and solar electricity plants and to combine solar energy systems with other renewable energy sources and energy saving technologies. 3. Design and calculate the optical, thermal and other parameters of solar energy installations, optimized regarding energy effectiveness, operation, cost and environmental impact.
Competences | At the end of the course the student will have further developed the following skills/competences 1. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to solar energy systems. 2. Ability to apply such knowledge and understanding in practice conducting experiments. 3. Ability to adopt and apply methodology in experimental study and research. 4. Experimental skills needed for continuing professional development. 5. Ability to interact with others on inter or multidisciplinary problems.
Prerequisites | There are no prerequisite courses. It is however recommended that students should have at least a basic knowledge of Physics on Optics, Thermodynamics and Fluid Dynamics.
Course contents | 1. Physics, measurements and calculations for Solar Energy. Solar radiation to the atmosphere and ground level, shading of solar devices and concentration of solar radiation 2. Collection, conversion and utilisation of solar energy Principles of collection, conversion and utilisation of solar energy. Categories of solar energy systems. 3. Solar Energy Systems Solar thermal collectors of low, medium and high temperatures for fluid heating and other applications, Photovoltaics, Concentrating solar energy systems, Hybrid Photovoltaic/Thermal collectors, Autonomous and grid connected photovoltaics. 4. Energy Storage and application of solar energy systems. Energy storage of heat and electricity, space heating and cooling, solar power and electricity. 5. Passive solar systems and energy saving to buildings. Operational effective and aesthetic integration of passive and active solar energy systems to the buildings, energy saving to buildings. 6. Solar Energy to Industrial, Agricultural and other sectors. Application of solar thermal collectors and photovoltaics, suitable for application to industrial buildings and processes, greenhouses, drying, water psumping, desalination, etc. 7. Solar energy systems combined with other renewable energy sources. Combined solar thermal collectors and photovoltaics with geothermal heat pumps, biomass boilers, wind turbines, etc. 8. Simulation Methods of solar installations Analysis and application of solar energy installations of thermal collectors and photovoltaics. 9. National and international policy and regulations regarding solar energy. 10. Environmental impact of solar energy systems. Laboratories Measurements and calculations of solar radiation, experiments and calculations of heat transfer devices, fluid flow, pressure drop and wind velocity, experiments and performance calculations to solar thermal collectors and photovoltaics
Recommended reading | 1. Y. Tripanagnostopoulos, Notes “Solar Energy Systems” 2. P. Yianoulis "New Energy Sources" 3. K. Balaras, A. Argyriou, F. Karagiannis “Conventional and Renewable Energy Sources” 4. Y. Fragiadakis “Photovoltaic systems” 5. J. A. Duffie and W. A. Beckman, "Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes". 6. J. F. Kreider and F. Kreith, "Solar Energy Handbook". 7. U. Eicker “ Solar Technologies for buildings”
Teaching and learning methods | Oral presentation of course subjects and powerpoint presentation, tests, student project.
Assessment ang grading methods | Final written examination at the end of the course plus intermediate test exams and presentation of a project on a different subject by students.)
Language of instruction | Greek. Instruction may be given also in English, if foreign students attend the course .