Due to a continuous and inevitable depletion of fossil fuels, in addition to the great challenge of global warming, we nowadays witness an increasing interest towards renewable and sustainable energy sources. One of the main problems with renewables though is its intermittent and unstable nature, which determines an undesired time mismatch between its availability and demand. Energy storage is a key technology to address this issue, thus enabling a much more extensive use and exploitation of natural and green energy resources.
In the introductory part of this course, we aim at providing an extensive and up-to-date overview of the disparate technology solutions, which have been developed so far (both those that are already on the market and the ones that are still under investigations) for storing energy under diverse forms. Afterwards, we will specifically focus on thermal energy storage with a special emphasis on low-temperature thermal solar energy for civil applications.
More precisely, this course, through a series of theoretical lectures, discussion of case studies, numerical exercises in the labs and experimental activities aims at providing students with all necessary competencies for properly choosing the storage technology for an optimal exploitation of a given intermittent energy source.
We expect students to gain the essential know-how and tools for designing, sizing and analysing (from both energy and cost perspective) the main components of storage plants.
Due to a continuous and inevitable depletion of fossil fuels, in addition to the great challenge of global warming, we nowadays witness an increasing interest towards renewable and sustainable energy sources. One of the main problems with renewables though is its intermittent and unstable nature, which determines an undesired time mismatch between its availability and demand. Energy storage is a key technology to address this issue, thus enabling a much more extensive use and exploitation of natural and green energy resources.
In the introductory part of this course, we aim at providing an extensive and up-to-date overview of the disparate technology solutions, which have been developed so far (both those that are already on the market and the ones that are still under investigations) for storing energy under diverse forms. Afterwards, we will specifically focus on thermal energy storage with a special emphasis on low-temperature thermal solar energy for civil applications.
More precisely, this course, through a series of theoretical lectures, discussion of case studies, numerical exercises in the labs and experimental activities aims at providing students with all necessary competencies for properly choosing the storage technology for an optimal exploitation of a given intermittent energy source.
We expect students to gain the essential know-how and tools for designing, sizing and analysing (from both energy and cost perspective) the main components of storage plants.
First of all, this course aims at providing a wide overview on the different technologies so far developed for addressing the fundamental problem of energy storage, with a special focus on the most effective approaches for storing (low-temperature) heat.
Thanks to a number of theoretical lectures, the student has the opportunity of learning the basic principles and notions underlying the main components utilized in the energy storage devices. Those lectures will also help students to have a coherent vision of the matter and make an aware use of design tools that are discussed during the course. In fact, we expect students to acquire the ability of a quantitative design of storage systems (mostly sensible, latent and sorption thermal energy storage). Such an ability is essential for helping student in strengthening their problem-solving attitude (a very desirable skill of engineers). All this will be pursued by: 1) Case study discussion; 2) hands-on sessions during the numerical labs; 3) experiments in the heat storage lab; 4) solution of storage problems selected in collaboration with the lecturer (not mandatory).
First of all, this course aims at providing a wide overview on the different technologies so far developed for addressing the fundamental problem of energy storage, with a special focus on the most effective approaches for storing (low-temperature) heat.
Thanks to a number of theoretical lectures, the student has the opportunity of learning the basic principles and notions underlying the main components utilized in the energy storage devices. Those lectures will also help students to have a coherent vision of the matter and make an aware use of design tools that are discussed during the course. In fact, we expect students to acquire the ability of a quantitative design of storage systems (mostly sensible, latent and sorption thermal energy storage). Such an ability is essential for helping student in strengthening their problem-solving attitude (a very desirable skill of engineers). All this will be pursued by: 1) Case study discussion; 2) hands-on sessions during the numerical labs; 3) experiments in the heat storage lab; 4) solution of storage problems selected in collaboration with the lecturer (not mandatory).
Basic knowledge on heat transfer, applied thermodynamics and chemistry.
Basic knowledge on heat transfer, applied thermodynamics and chemistry.
The course can be sub-divided as follows:
1) Introduction and brief review of basic notions useful to the comprehension of energy storage phenomena (4.5 hours).
Brief overview of the course and a short review of the main heat transfer mechanisms, heat exchangers with and without fins. Brief review of some of the most important relationships in applied thermodynamics.
2) Energy storage in general (9 hours).
The importance of energy storage. Storage of mechanical energy: Compressed air and pumped hydro-storage plants. Flywheels. Electrochemical batteries. The issue of deep cycling, battery capacity and other main figure of merit of storage systems. Magnetic storage. Supercapacitors. Hydrogen production as an energy storage strategy.
3) Sensible heat storage (10.5 hours).
Direct and indirect heat storage plants. Materials and plant lay-out for sensible heat storage. First and second law efficiencies. Optimal size and storage period. Sizing of small sensible systems with water as storage material for solar applications. Common storage tanks. The importance of the temperature stratification. Simple design approaches for rock-beds. Simplified energy and exergy analysis of stratified sensible heat storage. Solar ponds. Numerical examples of sensible storage systems.
4) Latent heat storage (10.5 hours).
Classification of the most common materials for latent heat storage applications (organic, inorganic and eutectic). Short discussion on supercooling, segregation and cycling issues. Examples of phase-change-materials (PCM) available on the market. PCM for buildings: A brief discussion on the use of PCM for passive cooling applications. Some analytical and numerical modeling tools for PCM charging and discharging processes. The choice of the optimal PCM material. Numerical examples of latent storage systems.
5) Indirect heat storage: Physical and chemical sorption thermal energy storage - TES (10.5 hours).
The notion of inversion temperature. Closed and open sorption TES. Main thermodynamic transformations and relations describing sorption phenomena. Isosteric heat and isosteric field for a sorbent-sorbate pair. Adsorption isotherms. Discussion of ideal and real sorption heat storage cycles. Simplified models for describing sorption phenomena (Dubinin-Astakhov and Langmuir). Numerical examples of sorption heat storage systems.
6) Transport phenomena in energy storage problems (3 hours).
A brief discussion on micro-encapsulated phase-change materials for heat capacity enhancement. Basic notions on classical molecular dynamics simulations. Percolating networks of nano-particles with high thermal conductivity for heat storage applications.
The course can be sub-divided as follows:
1) Introduction and brief review of basic notions useful to the comprehension of energy storage phenomena (4.5 hours).
Brief overview of the course and a short review of the main heat transfer mechanisms, heat exchangers with and without fins. Brief review of some of the most important relationships in applied thermodynamics.
2) Energy storage in general (9 hours).
The importance of energy storage. Storage of mechanical energy: Compressed air and pumped hydro-storage plants. Flywheels. Electrochemical batteries. The issue of deep cycling, battery capacity and other main figure of merit of storage systems. Magnetic storage. Supercapacitors. Hydrogen production as an energy storage strategy.
3) Sensible heat storage (10.5 hours).
Direct and indirect heat storage plants. Materials and plant lay-out for sensible heat storage. First and second law efficiencies. Optimal size and storage period. Sizing of small sensible systems with water as storage material for solar applications. Common storage tanks. The importance of the temperature stratification. Simple design approaches for rock-beds. Simplified energy and exergy analysis of stratified sensible heat storage. Solar ponds. Numerical examples of sensible storage systems.
4) Latent heat storage (10.5 hours).
Classification of the most common materials for latent heat storage applications (organic, inorganic and eutectic). Short discussion on supercooling, segregation and cycling issues. Examples of phase-change-materials (PCM) available on the market. PCM for buildings: A brief discussion on the use of PCM for passive cooling applications. Some analytical and numerical modeling tools for PCM charging and discharging processes. The choice of the optimal PCM material. Numerical examples of latent storage systems.
5) Indirect heat storage: Physical and chemical sorption thermal energy storage - TES (10.5 hours).
The notion of inversion temperature. Closed and open sorption TES. Main thermodynamic transformations and relations describing sorption phenomena. Isosteric heat and isosteric field for a sorbent-sorbate pair. Adsorption isotherms. Discussion of ideal and real sorption heat storage cycles. Simplified models for describing sorption phenomena (Dubinin-Astakhov and Langmuir). Numerical examples of sorption heat storage systems.
6) Transport phenomena in energy storage problems (3 hours).
A brief discussion on micro-encapsulated phase-change materials for heat capacity enhancement. Basic notions on classical molecular dynamics simulations. Percolating networks of nano-particles with high thermal conductivity for heat storage applications.
All arguments discussed during this course will be covered by a large variety of material directly provided by the lecturer. In addition, the interested student can find below a list of References for possible further readings:
- I. Dincer, M.A. Rosen, "Thermal Energy Storage Systems and Applications", John Wiley & Sons, 2nd Edition, 2011;
- P. Asinari, E. Chiavazzo, "An Introduction to Multiscale Modeling with Applications", Esculapio, Bologna, 2013;
- A. Bejan, "Advanced Engineering Thermodynamic", John Wiley & Sons, 1997;
- A. Bejan, A.D. Kraus (Editors), "Heat Transfer Handbook", John Wiley & Sons, 2003;
- Matteo Fasano, Masoud Bozorg Bigdeli, Mohammad Rasool Vaziri Sereshk, Eliodoro Chiavazzo, Pietro Asinari, "Thermal transmittance of carbon nanotube networks: Guidelines for novel thermal storage systems and polymeric material of thermal interest", Ren. Sust. Energy Rev. 41, 2015;
- Chiavazzo E., Asinari P., "Reconstruction and modeling of 3D percolation networks of carbon fillers in a polymer matrix" Int. J. Thermal. Sci. 49, 2010;
- Chiavazzo E., Asinari P., "Enhancing surface heat transfer by carbon nanofins: towards an alternative to nanofluids?" Nanosc. Res. Lett. 6, 2011.
All arguments discussed during this course will be covered by a large variety of material directly provided by the lecturer. In addition, the interested student can find below a list of References for possible further readings:
- I. Dincer, M.A. Rosen, "Thermal Energy Storage Systems and Applications", John Wiley & Sons, 2nd Edition, 2011;
- P. Asinari, E. Chiavazzo, "An Introduction to Multiscale Modeling with Applications", Esculapio, Bologna, 2013;
- A. Bejan, "Advanced Engineering Thermodynamic", John Wiley & Sons, 1997;
- A. Bejan, A.D. Kraus (Editors), "Heat Transfer Handbook", John Wiley & Sons, 2003;
- Matteo Fasano, Masoud Bozorg Bigdeli, Mohammad Rasool Vaziri Sereshk, Eliodoro Chiavazzo, Pietro Asinari, "Thermal transmittance of carbon nanotube networks: Guidelines for novel thermal storage systems and polymeric material of thermal interest", Ren. Sust. Energy Rev. 41, 2015;
- Chiavazzo E., Asinari P., "Reconstruction and modeling of 3D percolation networks of carbon fillers in a polymer matrix" Int. J. Thermal. Sci. 49, 2010;
- Chiavazzo E., Asinari P., "Enhancing surface heat transfer by carbon nanofins: towards an alternative to nanofluids?" Nanosc. Res. Lett. 6, 2011.
Modalità di esame: Elaborato scritto individuale; Prova scritta tramite PC con l'utilizzo della piattaforma di ateneo;
The exam is performed through the Politecnico online platform “Exam” integrated with proctoring tools (Respondus) and it consists in a collection of maximum 27 questions (both multiple choice questions and open-ended questions) which will focus on:
• Fundamental aspects of the course topics aiming at assessing that the student has understood the theoretical foundations on energy storage technologies;
• Practical aspects of the course topics aiming at assessing the understanding and ability in using the analysis tools of energy storage technologies on specific cases.
It will be possible to navigate freely through the questions and, if needed, to use a calculator (either from the LockDown browser or a physical one).
The total time of the written exam will be at least 90 minutes, and it is not allowed to use any educational materials or other external support during the exam. It is permitted to have and use only three blank A4 papers and a pen (black or blue) and possibly a physical calculator as a possible support during the answers (provided that during the environmental recording and the later use are clearly showed in the webcam). It will be possible to close the exam and finish if at least 90% of the total time has elapsed.
The Virtual Classroom integrated in the Exam platform will be also enabled in order to allow possible interaction with the lecturers during the exam. Each correct answer provides 1 point; unanswered questions are assigned 0 point each; each wrong answer provides a penalty of -0.2 points (except for open-ended questions, where no penalties are applied and a mark between 0 (min) and 1 (max) will be assigned depending on completeness of the answer). The score of the written exam is assigned in such a way that a maximum of 27 points are assigned to students who give correct and complete answers to all questions. Whenever needed the upper-rounded mean rule will be applied.
In addition to the online exam, a mandatory individual report on the numerical labs is requested to students, who will have to complete and upload their reports on the Politecnico portal (in the section “Elaborati”) at least one week before the chosen exam date. Each student can choose to prepare the report only on one of the attended laboratory topics. This report on the numerical lab will be evaluated with a score equal to 1 (sufficient), 2 (good), 3 (very good) or 4 (excellent), which will be added to the score of the online exam.
To pass the exam it is necessary to obtain an overall score greater than or equal to 18/30. Students who possibly exceed the grade of 30/30 will be assigned 30 cum laude.
Specifically, the exam aims at assessing the achievement of the following objectives:
1. Theoretical knowledge underpinning the functioning of the technologies developed for energy storage and transport;
2. Ability to select and to perform a preliminary sizing/design of a storage technology suitable for coping with real energy storage problems;
3. Ability to accurately estimate the expected performance of key components for energy storage technologies (with particular emphasis on thermal energy).
The above items are established either through questions from the online exam or through the reports;
Exam: Individual essay; Computer-based written test using the PoliTo platform;
The exam is performed through the Politecnico online platform “Exam” integrated with proctoring tools (Respondus) and it consists in a collection of maximum 27 questions (both multiple choice questions and open-ended questions) which will focus on:
• Fundamental aspects of the course topics aiming at assessing that the student has understood the theoretical foundations on energy storage technologies;
• Practical aspects of the course topics aiming at assessing the understanding and ability in using the analysis tools of energy storage technologies on specific cases.
It will be possible to navigate freely through the questions and, if needed, to use a calculator (either from the LockDown browser or a physical one).
The total time of the written exam will be at least 90 minutes, and it is not allowed to use any educational materials or other external support during the exam. It is permitted to have and use only three blank A4 papers and a pen (black or blue) and possibly a physical calculator as a support during the answers (provided that during the environmental recording and the later use are clearly showed in the webcam). It will be possible to close the exam and finish if at least 90% of the total time has elapsed.
The Virtual Classroom integrated in the Exam platform will be also enabled in order to allow possible interaction with the lecturers during the exam. Each correct answer provides 1 point; each unanswered questions is assigned 0 point; each wrong answer provides a penalty of -0.2 points (except for open-ended questions, where no penalties are applied and a mark between 0 (min) and 1 (max) will be assigned depending on completeness of the answer). The score of the written exam is assigned in such a way that a maximum of 27 points are assigned to students who give correct and complete answers to all questions. Whenever needed the upper-rounded mean rule will be applied.
In addition to the online exam, a mandatory individual report on the numerical labs is requested to each student, who will have to complete and upload the reports on the Politecnico portal (in the section “Elaborati”) at least one week before the chosen exam date. Each student is requested to prepare the report only on one of the attended laboratory topics (chosen by the student). The report on the numerical lab will be evaluated with a score ranging from 0 (insufficient) up to 4 (excellent), which will be added to the score of the online exam.
To pass the exam it is necessary to obtain an overall score greater than or equal to 18/30. Students who possibly exceed the grade of 30/30 will be assigned 30 cum laude.
Specifically, the exam aims at assessing the achievement of the following objectives:
1. Theoretical knowledge underpinning the functioning of the technologies developed for energy storage and transport;
2. Ability to select and to perform a preliminary sizing/design of a storage technology suitable for coping with real energy storage problems;
3. Ability to accurately estimate the expected performance of key components for energy storage technologies (with particular emphasis on thermal energy).
The above items are established either through questions from the online exam or through the reports;
Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria; Elaborato scritto individuale; Prova scritta tramite PC con l'utilizzo della piattaforma di ateneo;
The exam is performed through the Politecnico online platform “Exam” integrated with proctoring tools (Respondus) and it consists in a collection of maximum 27 questions (both multiple choice questions and open-ended questions) which will focus on:
• Fundamental aspects of the course topics aiming at assessing that the student has understood the theoretical foundations on energy storage technologies;
• Practical aspects of the course topics aiming at assessing the understanding and ability in using the analysis tools of energy storage technologies on specific cases.
It will be possible to navigate freely through the questions and, if needed, to use a calculator (either from the LockDown browser or a physical one).
The total time of the written exam will be at least 90 minutes, and it is not allowed to use any educational materials or other external support during the exam. It is permitted to have and use only three blank A4 papers and a pen (black or blue) and possibly a physical calculator as a possible support during the answers (provided that during the environmental recording and the later use are clearly showed in the webcam). It will be possible to close the exam and finish if at least 90% of the total time has elapsed.
The Virtual Classroom integrated in the Exam platform will be also enabled in order to allow possible interaction with the lecturers during the exam. Each correct answer provides 1 point; unanswered questions are assigned 0 point each; each wrong answer provides a penalty of -0.2 points (except for open-ended questions, where no penalties are applied and a mark between 0 (min) and 1 (max) will be assigned depending on completeness of the answer). The score of the written exam is assigned in such a way that a maximum of 27 points are assigned to students who give correct and complete answers to all questions. Whenever needed the upper-rounded mean rule will be applied.
In addition to the online exam, a mandatory individual report on the numerical labs is requested to students, who will have to complete and upload their reports on the Politecnico portal (in the section “Elaborati”) at least one week before the chosen exam date. Each student can choose to prepare the report only on one of the attended laboratory topics. This report on the numerical lab will be evaluated with a score equal to 1 (sufficient), 2 (good), 3 (very good) or 4 (excellent), which will be added to the score of the online exam.
To pass the exam it is necessary to obtain an overall score greater than or equal to 18/30. Students who possibly exceed the grade of 30/30 will be assigned 30 cum laude.
Specifically, the exam aims at assessing the achievement of the following objectives:
1. Theoretical knowledge underpinning the functioning of the technologies developed for energy storage and transport;
2. Ability to select and to perform a preliminary sizing/design of a storage technology suitable for coping with real energy storage problems;
3. Ability to accurately estimate the expected performance of key components for energy storage technologies (with particular emphasis on thermal energy).
The above items are established either through questions from the online exam or through the reports;
Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Individual essay; Computer-based written test using the PoliTo platform;
The first part of the exam is performed through the Politecnico online platform “Exam” integrated with proctoring tools (Respondus) and it consists in a collection of maximum 27 questions (both multiple choice questions and open-ended questions) which will focus on:
• Fundamental aspects of the course topics aiming at assessing that the student has understood the theoretical foundations on energy storage technologies;
• Practical aspects of the course topics aiming at assessing the understanding and ability in using the analysis tools of energy storage technologies on specific cases.
It will be possible to navigate freely through the questions and, if needed, to use a calculator (either from the LockDown browser or a physical one).
The total time of the written exam will be at least 90 minutes, and it is not allowed to use any educational materials or other external support during the exam. It is permitted to have and use only three blank A4 papers and a pen (black or blue) and possibly a physical calculator as a support during the answers (provided that during the environmental recording and the later use are clearly showed in the webcam). It will be possible to close the exam and finish if at least 90% of the total time has elapsed.
The Virtual Classroom integrated in the Exam platform will be also enabled in order to allow possible interaction with the lecturers during the exam. Each correct answer provides 1 point; unanswered questions are assigned 0 point each; each wrong answer provides a penalty of -0.2 points (except for open-ended questions, where no penalties are applied and a mark between 0 (min) and 1 (max) will be assigned depending on completeness of the answer). The score of the written exam is assigned in such a way that a maximum of 27 points are assigned to students who give correct and complete answers to all questions. Whenever needed the upper-rounded mean rule will be applied.
In addition to the online exam, a mandatory individual report on the numerical labs is requested to students, who will have to complete and upload their reports on the Politecnico portal (in the section “Elaborati”) at least one week before the chosen exam date. Each student is requested to prepare the report only on one of the attended laboratory topics (chosen by the student). In the blended exam, the report on the numerical lab will be also briefly discussed during a short oral exam (10 minutes) with the lectures, where the student will be able to use his/her report. This part will be evaluated with a score ranging from 0 (insufficient) up to 4 (excellent), which will be added to the score of the online part.
To pass the exam it is necessary to obtain an overall score greater than or equal to 18/30. Students who possibly exceed the grade of 30/30 will be assigned 30 cum laude.
Specifically, the exam aims at assessing the achievement of the following objectives:
1. Theoretical knowledge underpinning the functioning of the technologies developed for energy storage and transport;
2. Ability to select and to perform a preliminary sizing/design of a storage technology suitable for coping with real energy storage problems;
3. Ability to accurately estimate the expected performance of key components for energy storage technologies (with particular emphasis on thermal energy).
The above items are established either through questions from the online exam or through the reports;
