Materials for Energy Applications

Module Notes
Faculty Member (Members):
  • Academic Fellow
Undergraduate, 10th Semester (5th Year, Spring)
Module Category: Thematic Unit Electives, Group C
Module Type: Core Chemical Engineering
Teaching Language: Greek
Course Code: CHM_E_Γ6
Credits: 3
ECTS Credits: 4
Teaching Type: Lectures (3h/W) Project/Homework (1/Semester)
Module Availability on Erasmus Students: No
Course URL: E-Class (CMNG2197)
Module Details

The basic types of renewable energy sources and the main technologies for their utilization

The fundamental properties and production methods for materials used in energy applications

The main types of composite and nanocomposite materials used in energy saving applications and their main methods of production and mechanical properties

The main photovoltaic technologies, the fundamental principles of solar modules operation and the design of photovoltaics plants

The basic optical and thermal properties of materials used in passive and active thermal solar systems

The main types of wind generators, the materials used for their construction and the energy production from wind plants

The fundamental principles of steam engines, the materials used as engine components and their main properties and failure mechanisms.

 

There are no prerequisite modules. It is however, recommended that students should have knowledge of  the basic principles of Materials Science and fundamendals of systems energy balance.

A. Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems and utilization technologies. Current status in Greece, Europe and worldwide.

B. Fundamental properties of materials used in energy production. Optical, electronic, thermal properties and failure mechanisms. Basic aspects of sustainability, life cycle assessment and recycling. 

C. Materials for energy saving. Composite and nanocomposite materials. Main types of composite materials. Molds and reinforced media different types. The role of interface in nanocomposite materials. Materials production and processing. Mechanical properties and failure mechanisms.

D. Materials for utilization of solar energy. Photovoltaics for electricity production. Semiconductors, Photovoltaic cells and modules. Different PV technologies. Design of PV plants and technoeconomical analysis. Passive and energetic thermal solar systems for electricity production and heating/cooling applications. Optical and thermal properties of materials,

E. Materials for utilization of wind potential. Wind power and basic wind properties. Main types of wind turbines and mechanical and aerodynamic properties of materials used as components. Design of wind plants and techno-economic analysis.

F. Steam engines for electricity production. Principles of operation, energy balance and Rankine cycle. Materials used as components of steam engines, basic properties and failure mechanisms. Application of steam engines for electricity production from fossil fuels, geothermal energy and biomass

Teaching Organization

LECTURES: 3 h/w
PROJECT / HOMEWORK: 1/semester

Total Module Workload (ECTS Standards):

119 Hours

1. One project per group of one or two students in a specific Renewable Energy Systems topic (50 % of final grade). The students present their project and deliver a 10 pages summary of the project.

2. Final written exams (50 % of final grade)

  1. Materials in Energy Conversion, Harvesting, and Storage, 1st edition, Kathy Lu, Print ISBN: 9781118889107
  2. Renewable energy, 3rd ed., Sοrensen, Bent, [Ηλεκτρονικό Βιβλίο] ISBN: 0126561532.
  3. Εναλλακτικές Μορφές Ενέργειας, 1η έκδοση, Β. Μπιτζιώνης και Δ. Μπιτζιώνης, Εκδόσεις ΤΖΙΟΛΑΣ, ISBN: 9789604183098