Ateneo - UPO

This course addresses the production and distribution of energy, both electrical and thermal, and its environmental impact. For the electrical topic, the structure and operation principle of generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization in networks at various voltage levels are studied, depending on the power consumed (total of 4.5 credits). For the thermal topic, both gas and district heating networks are addressed, and the environmental impact is studied, but with a lower number of credits (1.5).

Books:
M. Patel, Wind and Solar Power Systems, 2006, CRC Press, USA.
T. Markvart, Solar Electricity, 2nd Edition, 2000, J. Wiley and Sons Ltd., USA.
B.M. Weedy, B. J. Cory, N. Jenkins, J.B. Ekanayake, G. Strbac, Electric power systems, Fifth Edition 1979, J. Wiley and Sons Ltd., USA.

- Knowledge and understanding:
Acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge on the processes of energy production and distribution and on the connected environmental impact.
- Applying knowledge and understanding: Being able to apply the quoted theoretical knowledge to the interpretation of statistical data on energy consumption from different sources.
- Learning skills: Being able to learn autonomously and to assess one’s knowledge, in order to proceed to further studies with a high degree of autonomy.

After passing the exam, the students will acquire the following knowledge:
- the structure of the electric power system from centralized generation to smart grid with distributed generation;
- the main technologies to convert wind energy into electricity by AC rotating generators, power electronic converters, transformers and distribution lines for the grid connection;
- the photovoltaic energy conversion into electricity by solar cells as P-N junctions in crystalline silicon, DC-AC converters based on power electronics;
- the electric model of transmission and distribution lines .
Then, the students will acquire the following skills and abilities:
- the calculation of the wind-speed frequency and the energy productivity, according to the manufacturer power curve and the variations of wind speed (magnitude and direction);
- the calculation of the PV power production by database of solar irradiance and ambient temperature;
- the calculation of the power losses, efficiencies and voltage regulation of AC rotating generators with their power electronic converters, transformers and distribution lines;
- the calculation of the optimal power ratings of photovoltaic and wind power systems to maximize self-sufficiency and self-consumption of active users, subjected to environmental, electrical and economic constraints in the regions of the installations.

Electric circuit theory for both DC circuits and AC circuits.
Fundamentals of thermodynamics and heat transfer.

The course consists of in-person theoretical lessons (about 4 credits) and practical exercises (about 2 credits) which can be computational or in the laboratory or carried out in technical visits

The learning assessment consists of a written test (lasting approximately 1 h) with questions on theoretical aspects and simple exercises to be solved using a portable calculator. It is not permitted to use teaching materials or notes taken in class.

Basic concepts on technological networks: electricity network, railway, gas network, district heating, water distribution network.

Analytical representation of voltages and currents in sinusoidal alternating current circuits. Basic knowledge of three-phase alternating current systems: star and delta connections; single-phase equivalent circuit; structure of a low voltage distribution network with MV/LV transformer, line and load. Power factor correction for an inductive load.

Structure of the national electricity system: generation, transmission, distribution and utilization. Determination of the voltage level based on the maximum power of the user. Global frequency regulation and local regulation of the RMS value of the mains voltage. Daily load curves and generation share with renewable energy sources and fossil fuels. From the centralized grid to the smart grid.

Structure and operating principle by means of appropriate equivalent circuits of: three-phase AC static machines (transformer) and rotating electric machines (synchronous and asynchronous); electronic DC-DC and DC-AC converters for grid connection of photovoltaic generators and variable-speed wind turbines; transmission/distribution lines (pi-greek models for "long" lines and for "short" lines) and protection components (power circuit breakers, equipped with relays, and fuses); photovoltaic and wind systems, connected to the grid in order to obtain their best integration, based on geographical location and through storage systems.

Frequency regulation with the "active power-frequency" control; regulation of the RMS of the voltage with the "reactive power-voltage" control. Management, when fully operational, of the electricity transmission system through the modeling of meshed transmission networks with a large number of nodes or radial distribution networks (node potential method for the solution of the "load flow problem" or "power flow").

Thermal and environmental part: gas networks and thermal networks; environmental sustainability issues; carbon cycle; global, European, national energy needs. Environmental impact of energy production and transport systems: chemical emissions, thermal effects, noise, electromagnetic compatibility.

After passing the exam, the students will acquire the following knowledge:
- the structure of the electric power system from centralized generation to smart grid with distributed generation;
- the main technologies to convert wind energy into electricity by AC rotating generators, power electronic converters, transformers and distribution lines for the grid connection;
- the photovoltaic energy conversion into electricity by solar cells as P-N junctions in crystalline silicon, DC-AC converters based on power electronics;
- the electric model of transmission and distribution lines .
Then, the students will acquire the following skills and abilities:
- the calculation of the wind-speed frequency and the energy productivity, according to the manufacturer power curve and the variations of wind speed (magnitude and direction);
- the calculation of the PV power production by database of solar irradiance and ambient temperature;
- the calculation of the power losses, efficiencies and voltage regulation of AC rotating generators with their power electronic converters, transformers and distribution lines;
- the calculation of the optimal power ratings of photovoltaic and wind power systems to maximize self-sufficiency and self-consumption of active users, subjected to environmental, electrical and economic constraints in the regions of the installations.