37444 - Electrotechnics of Energy Systems M

Learning outcomes

The students will acquire the basic knowledge on the main characteristics of power electronic devices, of the renewable electric power production and its economic aspects. Some medium and long term scenarios for a sustainable electrical energy production will be analyzed.

Course contents

Prerequisites:

The student should be familiar with the contents of circuit theory, electrical machines and electrical plants which are usually presented in the courses of Electro Technique (for non-electric/electronic engineering students) of the School of Engineering.

Program:

Systems for Electric energy use and control. The structure of the electric power systems: main characteristics of the Italian and European power grid. Electric energy transmission with d.c. and a.c. technologies. Power electronics (inverter, rectifier, chopper, frequency converter).

Solar to electric power conversion. Solar radiation characteristics. The photovoltaic conversion: operating principle, fabrication technologies and electrical characteristic of photovoltaic cells; MPPT; photovoltaic systems and their connection to the power network. Thermodynamic solar plants.

Wind to electrical energy conversion. Main components of a wind generator. Horizonthal axis wind turbines characteristics (power conversion efficiency, pitch angle, yaw angle). Wind generator with induction generator (squirrel-cage rotor, doubly fed machine) and with syncronous generator (wounded rotor, PM machine); power control and connection to the power grid. On-shore and off-shore plants.

Main economic aspects of use of electrical energy. Electric power system evolution towards a sustainable energy transition. Comparison of the different sources of electrical energy: LCOE, environmental aspects and technological limits. Electricity market, smart grid, energy communities. Development of an energy economy based on renewable energies. Use of hydrogen as an energy vector (production, storage, distribution and use). Strategic role and operating principle of the main electric energy storage systems (batteries, supercapacitors, SMES, CAES, flywheels, pumping hydro storage systems).

Readings/Bibliography

The topics discussed during the lectures are described in the following books which can be found in the ‘Dore’ library of the University of Bologna.

1 N. Jenkins, J. Ekanayake, "Renewable energy engineering", Cambridge University Press, 2017.

2.G. Chitarin, F. Gnesotto, M. Guarnieri, A. Maschio, A. Stella, Elettrotecnica: 2 - Applicazioni, Esculapio, 2020.

3.G. Zini, “Green Electrical Energy Storage. Science and finance for total fossil fuel substitution”, Ed. McGraw-Hill Education, 2016.

4.M.H. Rashid, "Elettronica di potenza: dispositivi e circuiti", Paravia Bruno Mondadori Editori.

5.M.H. Rashid, "Elettronica di potenza: applicazioni", Paravia Bruno Mondadori Editori.

6.B. Wu, Y. Lang, M. Zargari, S. Kouro, “Power Conversion and Control of Wind Energy Systems”, Ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.

7.K. Mertens, “Photovoltaics. Fundamentals, Technology and Practice”, Ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2014.

8.V.S. Bagotsky, A. M. Skundin, Y. M. Volfovich, “Electrochemical Power Sources. Batteries, Fuel cells and Supercapacitors”, Ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2015.

9.ABB, “Quaderni di Applicazione tecnica N.10. Impianti fotovoltaici” (2013), “Quaderni di Applicazione tecnica N.13. Impianti eolici” (2011) ,disponibili on line all’indirizzo: [http://www.abb.it/abblibrary/DownloadCenter]

Teaching methods

The course is organized with classroom lectures during which all the topics of the program are analyzed with the support of computer presentations.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral test during which the student presents three of the topics analyzed during the course. The obtained grade depends on the capability to present the topics in a correct, complete and concise way, showing the ability to perform critical analyses.

Teaching tools

The documents presented during the lectures can be found on virtuale.unibo.it. The lectures will present data and documents which can be found in the websites of the main National and International Institutions operating in the Energy field.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Breschi

See the website of Lorenzo Cavallucci