Course overview
This course introduces students to the mechanical aspects (primarily fluid mechanics and thermodynamics) of renewable power technology and generation. The course focuses on the fundamental and applied sciences related to wind power, hydropower, ocean (wave and tidal) power, solar-thermal and geo-thermal heating, solar thermal powered cooling, heat storage and solar PV systems, as well as broader issues related to technology implementation. At the end of the course students are expected to have the knowledge to be able to help design, assess and compare different sustainable power generation systems, factoring in economic and environmental impacts.
Course learning outcomes
- Understand the basic principles, processes, and applications of each of relevant technologies
- Calculate potential power in wind, hydro, ocean, solar thermal, geothermal and PV systems
- Design the mechanics aspects of power generation systems that utilise wind, hydro, ocean, solar thermal, geothermal and PV systems
- Develop a simple economic and environmental assessment of the technology
- Assess the feasibility of renewable energy design systems in terms of demand and environmental impact