Syllabus - Renewable Energy Technology (AU604 (C))

Solar Radiation

Extra-terrestrial and terrestrial, radiation measuring instrument, radiation measurement and predictions. Solar thermal conversion: Basics, Flat plate collectors-liquid and air type. Theory of flat plate collectors, selective coating, advanced collectors, Concentrators: optical design of concentrators, solar water heater, solar dryers, solar stills, solar cooling and refrigeration. Solar photovoltaic: Principle of photovoltaic conversion of solar energy; Technology for fabrication of photovoltaic devices; Applications of solar cells in PV generation systems.

Wind energy characteristics and measurement

Metrology of wind speed distribution, wind speed statistics, Weibull, Rayleigh and Normal distribution, Measurement of wind data, Energy estimation of wind regimes; Wind Energy Conversion: Wind energy conversion principles; General introduction; Types and classification of WECS; Power, torque and speed characteristics. Power curve of wind turbine, capacity factor, matching wind turbine with wind regimes. Application of wind energy.

Production of biomass

Photosynthesis- C3 & C4 plants on biomass production. Biomass resources assessment. CO2 fixation potential of biomass. Classification of biomass. Physicochemical characteristics of biomass as fuel Biomass conversion routes: biochemical, chemical and thermochemical Biochemical conversion of biomass to energy: anaerobic digestion, biogas production mechanism, technology, types of digesters, design of biogas plants, installation, operation and maintenance of biogas plants, biogas plant manure-utilization and manure values. Biomass Gasification: Different types, power generation from gasification, cost benefit analysis of power generation by gasification.

Small Hydropower Systems

Overview of micro, mini and small hydro system; hydrology; Elements of turbine; Assessment of hydro power; selection and design criteria of turbines; site selection and civil works; speed and voltage regulation; Investment issue load management and tariff collection; Distribution and marketing issues. Ocean Energy: Ocean energy resources, ocean energy routs; Principle of ocean thermal energy conversion system, ocean thermal power plants. Principles of ocean wave energy and Tidal energy conversion.

Geothermal energy

Origin of geothermal resources, type of geothermal energy deposits, site selection geothermal power plants; Hydrogen Energy: Hydrogen as a source of energy, Hydrogen production and storage. Fuel Cells: Types of fuel cell, fuel cell system and sub-system, Principle of working, basic thermodynamics