436-466 Renewable Energy

Upon completion students should understand the distribution and variability of the wind as an energy source, and the limitations of wind energy devices in harnessing this energy; and have developed a comprehension of wind turbine design parameters and skill in performance estimation and component design for a range of applications. Students should also understand the distribution of solar energy and the limitations that this places on the performance of solar energy systems; and comprehend the importance of materials and losses in the systems performance and have knowledge and skill in solar systems selection and design methods.

Topics covered include a selection from nature and availability of wind energy; wind turbines, classification, construction and control; performance evaluation methods; power, efficiency, reliability and cost; load matching; nature and availability of solar radiation; radiation estimations and measuring instruments; materials for solar energy utilisation, radiative properties and thermal transport properties; introduction to non-concentrating collectors, design techniques and performance estimation; solar component and solar system operational characteristics; practical applications of solar energy, special solar devices for developing countries; and desalination, photovoltaics and solar water pumping.

One 3-hour examination (60%) and practical work not exceeding 20 pages including computations, diagrams, tables and computer output (40%). Students will be notified of the weighting of the non-examination assessment components at the beginning of semester.