Renewable Energy Notes

Topic 1.1: Introduction to Man and Energy

Energy & Man Connection, Discovery of Fire, Use of Manpower as Energy, Use of Watermills & Windmills as Energy, Use of Steam as Energy, Use of Coal as Fuel, Use of Oil & Natural Gas as Fuel, Use of Nuclear Energy.

Topic 1.2: Energy Resources and Classification

Energy, Energy Resources, Classification of Energy Resources (Based on Usability, Traditional Use, Long-term Availability, Commercial Application), Fossil Fuel, Classification of fossil fuel, Disadvantages of Fossil Fuel

Topic 1.3: Alternative Energy Resources

Hydel Energy, Wind Energy, Nuclear Energy, Solar Energy, Ocean Energy, Hydrogen Energy, Biomass Energy, Geothermal Energy, Renewable vs Non-renewable Energy Sources, Need for Alternative Energy, Challenges in Implementing Renewable Energy.

Topic 1.4: World Energy Scenario

Units of Energy & Power, Energy Demand, Reserve to Production Ratio, Reserves of Energy Resources (Coal, Oil & Gas), Primary Energy Consumption, Total Energy Production, Renewable Energy Scenario.

Topic 1.5: India Energy Scenario

Reserves of Energy Resources (Coal, Oil & Gas), Primary Energy Consumption, Renewable Energy Scenario, Power Sectors in India.

Topic 1.5: Solar Radiation Basics

Radiation, Electromagnetic Radiation, Wavelength, Amplitude, Frequency, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Stefan-Boltzmann Law, Black Body, Plank’s Law, Wien’s Displacement Law, Solar Radiation, Spectral Distribution of Sun & Earth, Solar Constant, Insolation, Extraterrestrial Radiation, Terrestrial Radiation, Direct radiation, Diffuse radiation, Global radiation, Solar radiation measurement (Pyranometer & Pyrheliometer)

Topic 1.6: Solar Radiation Geometry

Sun & Earth Relationship, Location on Earth, Angle of Latitude (ϕ), Angle of Longitude (l), Latitude in Solar Radiation, Declination Angle (δ), Hour Angle (ω), Inclination angle or Solar altitude (α), Zenith Angle (θ_z), Solar Azimuth Angle (γ_s), Tilt Angle (β), Angle of Incidence (θ), Surface Azimuth Angle (γ)

Topic 1.7: Solar Collector

Solar Energy Utilization, History of Solar Energy Utilization, Need for Solar Collector, Solar Collector, Performance Parameter for Solar Collector, Types of Solar Collectors

Topic 1.8: Photovoltaic System

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system, Advantages of PV cell, Disadvantages of PV cells, Valence Electron, Valence Band, Conduction Band, Forbidden Band, kT Energy, Conductor (metal), Semiconductor (metalloids), Insulator (non-metal), Enhancing Semiconductor Conductivity, p-n Junction, Photovoltaic Effect, Construction of Solar Cell, VI Characteristics of Solar Cell, Types of Solar Cells, Arrangement of Solar Cell, Components of Solar System, Applications of Solar Cells

Topic 1.9: Origin of Wind

Wind, Types of Wind: Global Wind & Local Wind, Wind Energy, Advantages & Disadvantages of Wind Energy.

Topic 1.10: Wind Power

Wind Power, Velocity and Pressure Profile for HAWT, HWAT Power Output, Betz limit, Principle of Wind Energy Conversion (Drag and Lift).

Topic 1.11: Wind Energy Conversion System

Types of Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS), Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT): Components of HAWT, Block Diagram of HAWT, Types of HAWT, Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT): Types of VAWT Savonius Turbines & Darrieus Turbines), HAWTs vs VAWTs, Site Selection Considerations for WECS, Environmental Impacts of Wind Turbines.

Topic 1.12: Introduction to Biomass

Introduction, Biomass, Biomass Resources (Terrestrial Biomass & Aquatic Biomass), Biofuel, Application of Biomass, Application of Biomass, Disadvantages of Biomass

Topic 1.13: Biomass Conversion Technologies

Type of Biomass: Dry & Wet Biomass, Chemical Composition of Woody Biomass, Flowchart for Biomass Conversion, Biomass to Bioenergy: Direct Use (Direct Combustion & Briquetting), Indirect Use (Thermochemical Methods & Biochemical Methods).

Topic 1.14: Thermochemical Methods

Pyrolysis, General Process for Pyrolysis, Types of pyrolysis, Torrefaction, Gasification, Reaction Zone in Gasifier, Types of Gasifiers: Fixed-bed Gasifier (Updraft, Downdraft, Cross-draft Gasifier), Fluidized-bed Gasifier (Bubbling Fluidized Bed, Circulating Fluidized bed), Entrained Flow Gasifier, Liquefaction

Topic 1.15: Biochemical Methods

Anaerobic Digestion, Components of Biogas Plant, Stages of Anaerobic Digestion, Sizing of Digestor for Biogas Plant, Factors Affecting Biogas Yield, Classification of Biogas Plant,

Topic 1.16: Geothermal Energy

Introduction, Geothermal Energy History, Geothermal Field Formation, Types of Geothermal Field, Types of Geothermal Sources, Utilization of Hydrothermal resources