RENEWABLE GENERATION AND ENERGY CONVERSION

With the continued significant increase in energy demand and environmental problems, renewable energy systems have become a critical research and teaching topic around the world.

Knowledge and understanding

In this context, this course aims to equip students with the key knowledge, concepts and principles of generation systems based on renewable energy sources. Specifically, the topics covered in this course will be renewable energy systems such as: wind system, solar energy systems, tidal and wave systems, distributed generation, storage technologies and others. This course will also introduce the latest developments in smart grid technology research, such as the participation of distributed generation (DG) in the provision of ancillary services for the transmission system operator (TSO).

The aim of the course is also to show how the topologies of converters are used in renewable energy systems (wind and photovoltaic), in utility applications (for example HVDC) and to deepen the converters in terms of efficiency, control characteristics, description of the dynamics and their closed-loop control. It also deals with 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.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course, students will have the necessary skills to analyze a power system, identifying its main sections and functions. Students will have the necessary skills to characterize systems and processes, to evaluate parameters and variables relevant to assess the state of a power system.

At the end of the course, the student will have the necessary skills to analyze the renewable energy potential of a given place and to size the related generators. Furthermore, the student will be able to recognize the most common conversion chain and to work as a system designer.

The course introduces students to the computer modeling of electronic power converters obtained for the generation of renewable energy and the integration of energy storage in the AC grid and their control circuits using modern simulation platforms such as PSIM and Simscape-Electrical in Matlab-Simulink.

Autonomy of judgment

Students will acquire independent judgment for an accurate technical analysis of renewable sources and conversion techniques, these skills will also be refined through experimental activities carried out in the laboratory.

Communication skills

The student will strengthen the technical language of renewable sources, of numerical methods for the solution of numerical studies for the analysis of such systems with the aim of being able to adequately present themselves to the world of work with specific skills and a high technical profile. The ability to work in groups will be refined through the experimental experiences in the laboratory carried out in small groups. The drafting of the laboratory report and the oral exam will allow you to refine your technical language and communication skills.

Learning ability

The student will be able to autonomously expand their knowledge of renewable source generation plants, electrical engineering and converters through the in-depth study of the reference texts, in articles in specialized scientific journals and through the ideas offered by the seminar activities organized by the teaching.

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