Module: Renewable Energy Conversion

Course objective:
This course introduces students to the operating principles of renewable energy
conversion systems. Students will learn to distinguish between the various
technological components and their operating principles.

Recommended prior knowledge:

Knowledge of renewable energy sources is required, and of applied
thermodynamics is recommended.

Pr. Mounir AKSAS

mounir.aksas@hns-re2sd.dz
 Contents
Chapter 1: Energy sources

Chapter 2: Solar photovoltaics

Chapter 3: Low-temperature solar thermal energy

Chapter 4: High-temperature solar thermal energy

Chapter 5: Wind power

Chapter 6: Biomass energy

Chapter 7: Geothermal energy

Chapter 8: Other energy sources (hydroelectric power, fuel cells, etc.).

Assessment method :
Continuous assessment: 50% Final Examination: 50%
 References
Reference 1:
Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes, 4th Edition
John A. Duffie, William A. Beckman. ISBN: 978-0-470-87366-3, April 2013. 944 Pages.

Reference 1:
Fundamentals and applications of renewable energy (Student Companion Book). M.
Kanoglu, Y. A. Cengel, J. M. Cimbala, 2020, McCraw Hill Education.
Reference 2:
Wind Energy Explained: Theory, Design and Application
Manwell, J.F., McGowan, J.G., Rogers, A.L., John Wiley&Sons. 2009
Reference 3:
Photovoltaics for everyone: Plant design and construction, Falk Anton, C. Dürschner, K.
Remmers. Observ'ER. Paris 2010.

Reference 4:
Geothermal heat pumps for individual housing: design and sizing,
Alain MAUGARD, 2012
 Chapter 1: Energy sources

Energy is defined as the ability to bring about change, for example, to

change the state of matter, or to perform work resulting in motion, heat or
light.
The world around us is made up of : Matter & Energy
 Matter: is made up of atoms and includes everything that is solid, liquid
or gaseous.
 Energy: is impossible to observe. Its presence can be ascertained by
observing its effects.
Example:
When the wind is blowing, we can't see it. What we can see, however, is
the movement of leaves as they are moved by the wind, representing an
effect of wind energy. Energy is thus defined as the ability to bring about
change.
 What is the Energy?
 Energy is essential in all life cycles and productive activities.
 In a basic food chain, energy is required for crops to grow through solar
radiation, harvesting through human work, and cooking through biomass in a
fire.
 Industrial operations require energy for equipment and tool production.
 Energy is responsible for lighting cities, powering vehicles, running
machinery in factories, and providing warmth, cooling, and cooking in
homes..
 It is involved in activities like cooking, music, and entertainment.
 Energy is defined as the capacity to do work or make objects move and
allows us to live.
 For example, the energy stored in fuels like gasoline can be used to make a
car move. The energy in gasoline is a form of energy called chemical energy.
 Work, Power and Energy
Motion …

Velocity (v) = Δx/Δt

Acceleration (a) = Δv/Δt
Force(F) = ma = mass x acceleration
Force required to change motion
 Work, Power and Energy
First displacement, Velocity, Acceleration
Energy is the ability/capacity to do work Work is the
transfer of energy..……
Work = force x distance
Angle between force and distance
Units: newton.meters

1J = 1 N.m
A force of 1 N moving a body
over 1 m does 1 J of work.
Power = the rate at which work is performed.
 Work, Power and Energy

Power: rate at which energy is converted to work

energy
Power =
time

Units: Joules per second, J/s, or watts (W)

Familiar units of power: • kilo-watt, kW

• 1hp = 746 W
• 1 ton of refrigeration = 50 kcal/min = 1200 BTU/h
• 1 Watt = volt x ampere

Energy = Power x Time = kWh (is what you get charged) 8

 Work, Power and Energy

Work = force . Distance

 NO work is done if the object does not move.

 If the force is perpendicular to the direction of motion NO work is done by

the force.
 Energy can be kinetic (associated with motion) Energy can be potential
(ability to do work stored in some form)
 Energy Occurs in Many Forms

 Mechanical Energy
 Potential Energy
 Thermal Energy
 Kinetic Energy
 Chemical Energy
 Electrical Energy
 Electromagnetic Energy
 Nuclear Energy
Different forms of energy
 Different forms of energy

1. Kinetic Energy: The energy possessed by an object due to its motion. For
example, a moving car or a flowing river.
2. Potential Energy: The energy stored in an object based on its position or
configuration. Examples include gravitational potential energy (a book on a
shelf) and elastic potential energy (a compressed spring).
3. Thermal Energy: The energy associated with the motion of particles
within a substance. It determines temperature and can be felt as heat.
Examples include the warmth of a fire or the heat generated by a machine.
4. Chemical Energy: The energy stored in the bonds of chemical
compounds. It is released during chemical reactions. Examples include the
energy stored in food, fuels, and batteries.
 Different forms of energy
5. Electrical Energy: The energy carried by moving electrical charges. It
powers electrical devices and is generated through the movement of
electrons in conductors.
6. Light (Radiant) Energy: The energy carried by electromagnetic waves. It
includes visible light, as well as other forms of electromagnetic radiation
like ultraviolet and infrared.
7. Nuclear Energy: The energy released during nuclear reactions. It is
harnessed in nuclear power plants through processes like nuclear fission
or fusion.
8. Sound Energy: The energy produced by the vibration of objects. It
travels as sound waves through a medium, such as air or water.
9. Gravitational Energy: The energy associated with the gravitational pull
between objects. It is related to an object's height or position relative to
the Earth or other celestial bodies.
 Energy Transformation

Energy forms can be …………

 Chemical
 Thermal
 Electrical
 Radiant
 All of the above
Answer:
Energy forms can be chemical, thermal, electrical, and radiant.
Chemical energy is stored in the bonds of molecules and is released during
chemical reactions. Thermal energy is the energy associated with the motion of
particles in a substance, resulting in heat transfer. Electrical energy is the
energy associated with the flow of electric charge. Radiant energy is the energy
carried by electromagnetic waves, such as light or heat.
 Primary resources & Energy resources
Primary energy sources are found in nature and have some stored energy capacity
 To be a primary energy source, there must be:
 No processing or refining
 Stored energy must occur naturally in the source
 The definition of a primary energy source is: Energy sources found in the natural
environment.

Secondary energy sources come from the use or processing of primary energy sources
 Often the secondary energy source is electricity
 It can also be petrol, biofuel and heat
 The definition of a secondary energy resource is:
Useful transformations of the primary resources into energy
Examples include:
 Stored gravitational energy from water is converted into electricity in a hydroelectric plant.
 Oil is refined to produce petrol that can be used to power a car
 Coal is burnt to produce heat on a fire
 Primary energy resources
The Fig. below shows examples of primary and secondary energy sources as they
are used to produce useful energy.
 Energy conservation

The law of conservation of energy states that :

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed: it can only be
transformed from one form to another or transferred from one place to
another.

• According to the law of conservation of energy,

energy cannot be created or destroyed.
• So what happens to the energy in a pendulum?
Why does it slow down?

 The mechanical energy of the moving pendulum is

transformed into heat energy due to friction. So, it
is not lost, but converted.
There are Two Basic sources of Energy:
Energy conservation
Forms of Energy
Energy sources VS Energy forms
 Energy Transformation
Energy transformation or energy conversion is the process of transforming
energy from one form to another. According to the law of conservation of energy,
energy can neither be created nor destroyed. In other words, energy does not
appear out of anywhere and disappears into nothing. It transforms from one form
into another.

Example : When a turbine rotates to produce electricity, what energy

transformation takes place?
When a turbine rotates, it converts the mechanical energy of the rotating blades in
to electrical energy. This is achieved through the use of a generator, where
the mechanical energy is used to rotate a magnet inside a coil of wire,
creating an electromagnetic field that induces an electric current. Therefore,
the energy transformation that takes place in this scenario is from mechanical
energy to electrical energy.
Conversion of energy forms
Conversion of energy forms
Classes of Energy
 Examples : Potential Energy
1) Gravitational Energy :
energy an object or substance has 3) Nuclear Energy : energy stored
because of its position. in the nucleus of an atom.
Anything “up high” Holds the atom together

2) Stored Mechanical 4) Chemical Energy : energy

Energy : stored in an object stored in the bonds between
by the application of force atoms. Holds molecules together
Must push or pull on an object
 Examples : Kinetic Energy
1) Mechanical (Motion) Energy –
movement of objects or substances 3) Sound Energy – movement of
from one place to another energy through substances in the
form of longitudinal/compression
waves

4) Thermal (Heat) Energy –

internal energy of a substance
due to the vibration of atoms
2) Electrical Energy –
and molecules making up the
movement of electrons
substance
NOT AN ELECTRON
PARADE!

3) Radiant Energy –
electromagnetic energy that
travels in transverse waves
 Energy transformations
Power source Transformed by Transformed into

Radiant energy
Electrical energy (also known as light
energy)
A light bulb (Source)

Chemical energy
Electrical energy

A battery (Source)

Solar energy (or Chemical energy

light energy) (sugar production)
A plant through photosynthesis
(Source)
 Energy transformations
Power source Transformed by Transformed into

Mechanical energy
Chemical energy
(body movement)
(contained in food
and released by
Thermal energy
cellular respiration)
A human being (Source)

Light energy
Chemical energy
(or radiant energy)
(released by the
wood combustion)
Thermal energy
Fire (Source)

Nuclear energy
(contained in the Mechanical energy
nucleus of uranium (car movement)
atoms)
An engine (Source)
 Energy transformations
Power source Transformed by Transformed into

Nuclear energy
(contained in the
Electrical energy
nucleus of uranium
atoms)

A nuclear power plant (Source)

Mechanical energy
(sound)
Electrical energy
(electric batteries)
Radiant energy
(radio waves)

Radio transceiver (Source)

 What is Electricity?

Electricity is energy transported by the motion of electrons.

** We do not make electricity, we CONVERT other energy sources
into electrical energy **
 Electricity Electricity is known as a
secondary energy source
because it is produced using
primary energy sources
(eg. Coal, nuclear fuel, wind
power).

RENEWABLE SOURCES

1. Wind 2. Waves 3.Tides 4. Biofuels

NON-RENEWABLE SOURCES 5. Hydroelectric 6. Geothermal 7. Solar
(from Sun).
1. Fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas
2. Nuclear fuels (uranium and plutonium) • They will never run out.
• They will all ‘run out’ one day. • They do much less damage to the
• They all damage the environment environment.
• They currently provide most of our energy. • They don’t provide much energy and can be
unreliable if they depend on the weather.
Generating electricity
3 stages:
Boiler

Turbine

Generator
Generating electricity

• In the boiler fuel burns

to heat water. The
water turns into steam.
• Fuels used may be coal,
oil or gas.
Generating electricity

• Steam travels along

pipes and makes the
turbine spin.
Generating electricity

• The turbine turns a

generator.
• Inside the generator
there is a magnet inside
a coil of wire.
• As the magnet spins,
electricity is generated.
Let’s just repeat the basics:-

The steam (or

water / wind)
turns a turbine
Energy
source
The generator
converts the
movement of the
turbine (kinetic
energy) into
electricity.
 Advantages: fuels are readily available, they

Fossil fuels
are relatively cheap, and are not reliant upon
the weather.
Disadvantages: highly polluting, contributing
to global warming and climate change. Burning
fossil fuels can produce acid rain. Oil spillages
cause serious damage to the environment.

The steam (or

water / wind)
turns a turbine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrybridge_power_stations

The generator
In a fossil fuel power station coal, oil or converts the
natural gas burn, releasing heat energy which
is used to turn water into steam.
movement of the
turbine (kinetic
energy) into
electricity.
 Advantages: relatively quick and natural

Biofuels
sources of energy and are considered to be
carbon neutral (do not release additional
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere).
Disadvantages: natural habitats may be
cleared to make way for biofuel crops, and
some food crops may be lost.

The steam (or

water / wind)
turns a turbine
http://www.climatetechwiki.org/technology/agriculture-biofuel-
production

Biofuels are renewable energy sources. They

can be solids (eg. Straw, woodchip), liquids
The generator
(eg. Ethanol) or gases (eg. Methane biogas
from sludge digesters). converts the
They are burnt to turn water into steam, movement of the
which drives the turbine and producing turbine (kinetic
electricity in the generator.
energy) into
electricity.
 Nuclear energy

The steam (or

water / wind)
turns a turbine

Nuclear fission, involving the splitting of

atoms of a nuclear fuel (eg. Uranium) releases
a lot of heat energy. The generator
Water is used as a coolant to take away this converts the
heat energy, which is used to produce steam
to drive a turbine which then turns the movement of the
generator. turbine (kinetic
The main disadvantage of a nuclear power energy) into
station is that radioactive waste is produced. electricity.
This can be very dangerous and difficult to
dispose of.
 Advantages: no pollution, no fuel costs,

Wave Power
minimal running costs. Can be very useful on
small islands.
Disadvantages: hazard to boats, can be an
eyesore, fairly unreliable as waves disappear
when the wind drops, initial costs can be very
high, environmental impact.

The steam (or

water / wind)
turns a turbine

http://www.cyberphysics.co.uk/Q&A/KS3/energy/Sources/Q5.html

The generator
As waves come in to the shore they provide converts the
up and down motion which can be used to
directly drive a turbine which is linked to a
movement of the
generator. turbine (kinetic
The waves force the air through the turbine, energy) into
causing it to spin. electricity.
 Advantages: no pollution, no fuel costs,

Tidal Power
minimal running costs. Tides are reliable, and
barrages are excellent for storing energy.
Disadvantages: hazard to boats, can be an
eyesore, initial costs can be very high,
environmental impact. Height of the tide is
variable, so energy output varies.

The steam (or

water / wind)
turns a turbine

http://www.tutorvista.com/content/physics/physics-ii/fission-and-
fusion/tidal-power.php

The generator
Tidal barrages are big dams built across river converts the
estuaries. As the tide comes in it fills the
estuary – the water is released so that the
movement of the
turbines are turned at a controlled speed. turbine (kinetic
The source of the energy is the gravity of energy) into
the Sun and the Moon. electricity.
 Advantages: no pollution, no fuel costs,
minimal running costs. Immediate response
Hydroelectric Power to increased demand, and fairly reliable.
Disadvantages: flooding a valley has a big
impact on the environment, with much loss of
habitats. Initial costs are high. Adversely
affected during times of drought.

The steam (or

water / wind)
turns a turbine

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/sci_nat/06/global_energy/htm
l/hydrowind.stm

The generator
Hydroelectric power usually involves flooding converts the
a valley to form a reservoir behind a big dam.
As water is released from the reservoir it
movement of the
falls through the dam and turns the turbines, turbine (kinetic
which then spin the generators which in turn energy) into
produce electricity. electricity.
 Geothermal Energy Advantages: free, renewable energy source.
No real environmental problems.
Disadvantages: cost of drilling down several
km to the hot rocks.

The steam (or

water / wind)
turns a turbine

http://polizeros.com/2010/09/02/geothermal-power-gaining-
attention/

The generator
Used where hot rocks lie quite near to the converts the
surface. Cold water is pumped in pipes down
to the hot rocks, and returns as steam to
movement of the
drive the turbines. Unfortunately there are turbine (kinetic
very few places where this is an economic energy) into
option. electricity.
 Solar cells
Advantages: no pollution, a very reliable
source in sunny countries. Energy is free, and
running costs are almost nil.
Disadvantages: initially very expensive, and a
developing technology. Only produce
electricity in daytime.

The steam (or

water / wind)
turns a turbine

http://etap.com/renewable-energy/photovoltaic-101.htm

The generator
Solar cells generate electricity directly from converts the
sunlight. Solar cells are usually used to
provide electricity on a relatively small scale,
movement of the
such as for individual houses. Solar cell turbine (kinetic
‘farms’ are being developed, but connecting to energy) into
the National Grid can be expensive. electricity.
 Solar panels
Advantages: no pollution, a very reliable
source in sunny countries. Energy is free, and
running costs are almost nil.
Disadvantages: Only heats water in daytime.
Not used to produce electricity.

The steam (or

water / wind)
turns a turbine

http://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=22430

The generator
Solar panels use the Sun’s thermal radiation converts the
to warm up water for the house. A blackened
layer behind the pipes helps the absorption of
movement of the
the radiant energy and the warming of the turbine (kinetic
water flowing through the pipes. energy) into
electricity.
 Wind Power
Advantages: no pollution. Energy is free, and
running costs are almost nil.
Disadvantages: can be considered an eyesore,
and there is some noise pollution. No power is
produced when the wind drops.

The steam (or

water / wind)
turns a turbine

http://www.newhomewindpower.com/wind-power-generators.html

The generator
Wind turbines are put up in exposed places, converts the
such as hilltops and around the coast. Each
wind turbine has its own generator, so
movement of the
electricity is generated directly. turbine (kinetic
energy) into
electricity.
 The Sun as the ultimate source of energy

The Sun radiates Tidal

energy because of
nuclear fusion reactions Tides are created by the
deep inside. gravitational pull of the Moon
on the Earth’s oceans.

Solar cells
Radioactive atoms
release energy
Solar panels
Energy in plants Weather systems
Nuclear

Solar panels Wind Geothermal

Solar panels Waves

Hydroelectric
 Energy: Units and equivalence
The unit of energy in the International System (SI) is the Joule [J]. Electricity bills are quantified in
kilowatt-hours [kWh]; for fuels, the unit is tonnes of oil equivalent [toe]. The table below shows some of
the units and their equivalents.
Joule: Named after James Prescott Joule (1818-1889), English physicist.
name unit equivalence
Mechanical energy J 1 J = 1 N.m
Electrical energy J 1J = 1V.1A.1s = 1V.6.2.1018 electrons
electron-volt (particle) eV 1 eV = 1.6.10-19 J
Heat units: calorie Cal 1 cal = 4.18 J
british thermal unit BTU 1 BTU = 1050 J
quadrillion BTU (US) quadBTU 1 quadBTU = 1015 BTU
kilowatt-hour kWh 1 kWh = 3600 000 J = 3.6.106 J = 3.6 MJ
terawatt-hour TWh 1 TWh = 1012 Wh = 109 kWh
tonne of oil equivalent tep 1 toe  11,600 kWh  41.7 GJ
barrel (159 l or 140 kg) 1 barrel  1700 kWh
 Energy Units
The physical quantities classified into basic and derived quantities.
The International system of units (SI) of the fundamental basic
quantities is shown in Table.
Table, Basic quantities and its SI units
Rather than the above quantities, any another physical one can be derived
from the above basic quantities, as well as its unit. The relationship
between some derived SI units and the basic SI units are represented in Table.
Table, Engineering derived quantities and its SI units
Rather than the “Joule”, and in some countries, or in a particular context and
systems, different units are used. These particular units and their conversion
factors to-or-from SI units are given in Table.
Energy conversion factors to SI units
Power conversion factors to SI units
Prefixes of the power 10
The powers of ten are often abbreviated by
writing prefixes before the unit. For instance,
the symbol " G " stands for " Giga" , which
means: 10 to the power 9, i.e. a billion.
One billion W is then written as 1 GW
(one Giga Watt).

 Common prefixes of the power of 10 are

given in Table.
In addition to the previous energy unit, the energy as heat measured in:
 Calorie (C): the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature

of 1 gram of H2O from 14.5°C to 15.5°C, 1C = 4.187 J

 A food calorie (c): is 103 calories; 1 c = 1000C = 103C = 4.187 KJ
 BTU(British Thermal Units): the amount of heat energy required to
raise the temperature of one pound (1lb) of water by one degree Fahrenheit
(°F) at a specific temperature range (63°F to 64°F),
BTU = 1.055 x 103 J = 1.055 KJ
 The specific heat capacity (C) Specific heat capacity (C) is the amount of
heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree
Celsius or one Kelvin. Measured in (J/kg°C) or (J/g°C).
 The tonne of oil equivalent (toe) is a unit of energy: the amount of energy
released by burning one tonne of crude oil, equals 42.6 GJ
Example-2
Compute the energy required to raise the temperature of 1Kg of wood
and water from 20oC to 25oC, if Cwood = 1700J/KgoC, Cwater = 4200J/KgoC.
Compare the obtained results.

Solution

TEwood = C x m x = 1700 x 1 x 5 = 8500 J = 8.5 kJ

TEwater = C x m x = 4200 x 1 x 5 = 21000 J = 21 kJ

As computed the water need more energy, approximately 2.5 times.

57
 Energy: Units and equivalence
Example:
A cyclist on a flat road expends energy at a rate of 100 watts. How many calories of energy

are spent in five minutes of pedaling?

Solution:

100 watts = 100 J/s

5 minutes x 60 s/min = 300 seconds
100 J/s x 300 s = 30,000 J
1 calorie = 4.184 J
30,000J/ (4.184 J/cal) = 7170 calories or 7.2 Calories

So...is this a good way to lose weight?

 What is solar energy used for?
 Solar energy can be used in several ways

 Depending on the type of solar radiation and the technology used,

solar energy can be used to produce heat or electricity.
 What is solar energy used for?
Depending on energy needs and current conditions, there are three different ways of
harnessing solar energy.

 In the following chapters, we'll explore these different channels.

What is solar energy used for?