RENEWABLE GENERATION AND ENERGY CONVERSION

With the continuous significant increase of energy demand and environment issues renewable energy systems have become a critical research topic worldwide.

In this context, this course aims to provide students the key understandings, concepts, and principles of electrical power systems with the integration of renewable energy components. Specifically, the topics covered in this course will be renewable energy systems such as: wind system, solar power systems, tidal and waves sytems, distributed generation, storage technologies and others. This course will also introduce the latest research development on smart grid technology, such as the participation of distributed generation (DG) to ancillary service provision for the transmissione system operator (TSO).

The objective of the course is also to show how converter topologies are utilised in renewable energy systems (wind and PV), in utility applications (for example HVDC) and to further investigate the converters in terms of their efficiency, control characteristics, description of dynamics and their closed- loop control. Some advanced converter topologies, especially in the context of large and complex applications, which are beyond the scope of a first course in power electronics, are also treated.

The course introduces students to computer modelling of power electronic converters got renewable energy generation and energy storage integration into AC grid and their control circuits using modern simulation platform like PSIM and Simscape-Electrical in Matlab-Simulink.

At the end of the course, the student will be able to analize the renewable energy potential of a given place and sizing the relative generators. Further he can recognize the most common conversion chain and to operate as a system designer.

The acquired information will allow students to collaborate with experts in the project of renewable energy power plants.

The class activity is used to convey knowledge and it is organized as follows:

1) the lecture notes are outlined— first major points, then the minor points that elaborate on or explain each major point;

2) relevant, concrete examples, in advance of the lecture, selecting examples familiar and meaningful to the students are provided.

3) students are allowed to stop the lecture to ask relevant questions, make comments, or ask for review;

4) intersperse periodic summaries within the lecture.are considered.

5) lectures start with a question, problem, current event, or something that just grabs the students’ attention.

6) Active learning techniques are used (technological aids, such as multimedia presentations)

7) simulations sessions are used to check and grasp the theoretical concepts

1. Introduction to the renewable energies in power systems
2. The Solar Resource
3. Photovoltaic Materials, Electrical Characteristics and systems
4. Solar thermal systems
5. Monitoring of PV, solar thermal (ST) and PV/T systems
6. Concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies
7. Wind energy source
8. Wind Power Systems
9. Marine power system technologies
10. impact of non programmable renewables on power systems
11. Distribution generation and ancillary services (e.g.Smart grids)
12. Renewable hydrogen
13. Fuel cell
14. Electrochemica storage
15. Power converters topologies for stand-alone and grid connected systems
16. Maximum power point tracking strategies
17. Grid synchronization algorithms
18. Control of energy production systems in isolated or connected grids

1) Gilbert M. Masters, “Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems”, A JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC., PUBLICATION

2) Bent Sørensen - Renewable Energy Conversion, Transmission and Storage - Elsevier