Solar Energy

Code:

EM0120

Acronym:

ESOL

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Heat Transfer and Fluid

Instance: 2014/2015 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Fluids and Energy Division
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Mechanical Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEM	10	Syllabus since 2006/2007	5	-	6	45,5	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Acquaintance with the problem of using renewable energies, and solar energy in particular. Acquisition of knowledge related to the main solar energy technologies, and calculation methods for assessing the behaviour of solar thermal and photovoltaic systems. Methods for the economic and environmental evaluation of solar energy systems.

Learning outcomes and competences

Knowledge - related to solar energy processes and systems; understanding the behaviour of those systems.

Engineering analysis - analysis of energy systems, economic and encironmental studies.

Engineering design - tools for the design of solar energy systems.

Research - study of new solutions and new system configurations.

Engineering practice - practical applications related to energy in buildings, industry and energy generation.

Transferable competences - methods and tools for the design of different energy systems.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Basic courses of Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer.

Program

INTRODUCTION – RENEWABLE ENERGIES AND SOLAR ENERGY: concept of "renewable"; origin and types of renewable sources; renewable technologies and their maturity degree; present and future role in the global energy context; energy and environment; types of solar systems: active and passive, thermal and photovoltaic; possible applications.

SOLAR RESOURCES: solar geometry and solar coordinates; solar radiation; incident radiation on inclined surfaces; calculation of monthly incident solar radiation; properties of materials related to solar radiation.

SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS: types and operating principles: flat-plate collectors, tube collectors and concentrating collectors; quantification of thermal efficiency by theoretical and experimental means.

SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS: hot water systems (domestic and pools), ambient heating and industrial process heating; calculation methods f-chart, fi-chart and others; economic and environmental analysis.

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC COLLECTORS: photovoltaic effect; photosensitive materials; PV cells and their efficiency; PV collectors, hybrid PV-T collectors, and their integration in buildings.

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS: micro-generation of electricity and related legislation; PV-f-chart method; economic and environmental analysis.

SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS: thermal and PV systems; absorption, adsorption, desiccant and other systems; quantification of their behaviour.

CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER: types of solar plants and technologies; main components; economic and environmental analysis.

MICRO-COGENERATION SOLAR SYSTEMS: types and technologies; economic and environmental analysis.

COMPONENTS:
scientific: 25%
technological: 75%

Mandatory literature

John A. Duffie, William A. Beckman; Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes, Wiley, 3rd edition, 2006. ISBN: 978-0471698678

Complementary Bibliography

John A. Duffie, William A. Beckman; Solar energy thermal processes. ISBN: 0-471-22371-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

In the theoretical sessions concepts and methodologies are presented. In the theoretical-practical sessions some typical problems are addressed.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	95,00
Participação presencial	5,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	116,50
Frequência das aulas	45,50
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

FEUP's general rules.

Calculation formula of final grade

Weighted average of the exam and participation evaluation components.

Examinations or Special Assignments

None.

Internship work/project

None.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Identical to the general one, without accounting for participation.

Classification improvement

Final written exam.