Ateneo - UPO

The course addresses from a physical perspective the main issues related to energy: forms of energy (from the simplest to complex systems), energy transformations and the laws governing them, energy sources, uses of energy, and the relationship between energy and information.

Robert L. Jaffe & Washington Taylor, The Physics of Energy, Cambridge University Press (2018) - ISBN: 9781107016651

Provide the physical basis and theoretical tools for the analysis of energy processes. The student should be able to study a physical process from an energy point of view, identifying the forms of energy involved and the mechanisms of transformation. He/she should be able to comparatively evaluate various energy sources and analyse national and international energy systems.

No background knowledge is needed or required. Knowledge of Mat I, Mat II, Fis I. Fis II.

Frontal lectures. Monographic seminars and Analysis of text for the finale relation.

No further information

The exam is divided in two parts: the first (3 CFU) reading and analsys of a scientific article on the subject and relation. In the second part, the evaluation is obtained by an oral exam.

Physics of Energy and Energy Systems
Concise University Lecture Programme
Part I — Physical Foundations
Lecture 1 — Energy: Concepts, Units, and Scales
Definition and forms of energy; units and dimensional analysis; energy scales; conservation of energy; kinetic, potential, and rotational energy.
Lecture 2 — Electromagnetic Energy and Waves
Electric fields, capacitance, currents, resistance, and magnetic fields; motors and generators; electromagnetic induction; Maxwell’s equations; electromagnetic waves and energy transport.
Lecture 3 — Heat and the First Law of Thermodynamics
Temperature, heat, pressure, and work; internal energy; first law of thermodynamics; heat capacity, enthalpy, and phase transitions.
Lecture 4 — Heat Transfer and Thermal Processes
Conduction, convection, and radiation; heat equation; thermal insulation; applications to buildings and energy systems.
Lecture 5 — Entropy and the Second Law
Thermodynamic and information entropy; thermal equilibrium; absolute temperature; second law of thermodynamics; reversible and irreversible processes; limits on energy-conversion efficiency.
Lecture 6 — Quantum Physics and Energy in Matter
Wavefunctions and quantum states; Schrödinger equation; superposition and measurement; particles in potentials; molecular, chemical, and binding energies; blackbody radiation.
Part II — Energy Conversion and Sources
Lecture 7 — Thermal Engines and Power Cycles
Carnot and Stirling engines; Otto and Diesel cycles; combustion engines; Rankine cycle; gas turbines; combined cycles; refrigerators and heat pumps.
Lecture 8 — Nuclear Energy
Nuclear structure and binding energy; radioactive decay; fission and fusion; cross sections; nuclear reactors; reactor safety; fusion experiments; radiation–matter interactions and radiation protection.
Lecture 9 — Solar Energy
Nuclear origin of solar energy; solar radiation and insolation; interaction of radiation with the atmosphere; solar thermal collectors and concentrating systems.
Lecture 10 — Photovoltaic Energy
Basic solid-state physics; band structure and semiconductors; p-n junctions; photovoltaic effect; silicon solar cells; efficiency limits and advanced photovoltaic technologies.
Lecture 11 — Wind and Fluid Energy
Properties and dynamics of fluids; conservation laws; viscosity, drag, and lift; wind resources; turbine aerodynamics; axial-momentum theory and Betz’s limit.
Lecture 12 — Hydropower, Ocean, and Geothermal Energy
Hydroelectric systems; wave, tidal, and marine-current energy; ocean thermal energy conversion; Earth’s internal heat; hydrothermal resources, enhanced geothermal systems, and ground-source heat pumps.
Lecture 13 — Chemical, Biological, and Fossil Energy
Photosynthesis and biological energy conversion; biomass and biofuels; coal, petroleum, and natural gas; combustion, hydrocarbon conversion, resource availability, and environmental consequences.
Part III — Energy Systems and Environmental Impact
Lecture 14 — Energy, Climate, and the Carbon Cycle
Earth’s radiation balance; albedo and greenhouse effect; atmospheric physics; global energy flows; carbon cycle; climate feedbacks, modelling, impacts, mitigation, and adaptation.
Lecture 15 — Energy Efficiency, Storage, and Electrical Grids
First- and second-law efficiencies; exergy; energy conservation; electrical and thermal storage; grid-scale and mobile storage; electricity generation, transmission, and distribution; integration of variable renewable sources.

- Knowledge and understanding:
Acquisition of the laws and physical methodologies that enable the analysis of energy production, transformation and use processes.

- Applying knowledge and understanding:
To be able to apply the concepts and techniques learned to the analysis of energy systems and the comparative evaluation of various energy sources.

- Making judgements:
Know how to critically analyse recent literature in the energy field.

- Learning skills:
Acquire the ability to explore some topics on the specialised literature and update their knowledge in light of advances in the research in the energy field.