The course aims at providing the required knowledge and the analytical tools for understanding and quantifying the main physical phenomena that take place in the processes of transformation, storage, transmission and utilization of energy, with particular emphasis on the applications of interest for the ICT sector. The role of ICT in energy savings will be also discussed.

Specific knowledges to acquire
• Knowledge of the main (renewable and fossil) energy sources
• Knowledge of the final uses of energy in the various sectors (industry, transportation, buildings, etc.) and for types of vector (electrical, thermal, cooling, etc.)
• Knowledge of the fundamental principles of Thermodynamics and heat transfer mechanisms
• Knowledge of the main processes of transformation between the various forms of energy (mechanical, chemical, thermal, electrical, etc.) and of the constraints that determine their viability
• Knowledge of selected applications of particular interest in the ICT world, such as the technical solutions for thermal control in electronics, the energy storage systems, the devices for direct conversion of energy, the energy management of Data Centers
Specific abilities to develop
• Ability to set up and solve the energy balance of systems of technical interest
• Ability to analyze heat transfer phenomena in electronic components and devices
• Ability to analyze the performance associated with the energy conversion, storage and transmission processes

Prerequisites are the concepts of Calorimetry, Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism provided in the courses of Physics and Chemistry

Fundamentals of Energy engineering. Energy and its forms: sources, transformations, storage, transmission and final use. The energy balance of a region.
Energy transition and role of technology innovation: conversion technology, storage devices, energy networks and smart grids.
Basic concepts of Thermodynamics: State and equation of state; Equilibrium, processes and transformations; Heat and Work.
First and second laws of thermodynamics. Main aspects of direct and inverse thermodynamic cycles. Main aspects of thermo-electrical phenomena.
Heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation.
Applications of interest in the ICT world: thermal control of electronic components and devices. Fins and cooling circuits. Environmental control of Data Centers. Energy storage in mechanical, thermal, chemical and electrical form.

Theoretical lessons and numerical exercises. Specific seminars will be focused on selected topics.
Exercises will be developed in class as well as in lab. More specifically, at the informatics lab, various numerical analyses of energy conversion systems will be developed, while at the experimental lab the experimental analyses of a heat exchanger and a refrigeration system will be developed.

Learning material provided by the instructors will be available on the course portal
Michele Calì "Guida all’energia nella natura e nelle civiltà umane"
Michael Moran, Howard N. Shapiro, Bruce R. Munson, David P. DeWitt. Introduction to Thermal Systems Engineering: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer. Wiley.

Exam in the form of computer test at the informatics laboratory. The test is composed by numerical exercises requiring the preparation and solution of proper models suitable for the thermodynamic analysis of system and calculation of heat transfer processes. This part of exam aims at testing the abilities developed by each student as listed in the section "EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES" and will contribute to 50% of the final mark.
Oral exam with questions on energy engineering and on the application aspects discussed during lessons and laboratory. This part of exam will be used in order to check the specific knowledge of each student, with respect to the areas listed in the section "EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES" as well as to revise the solutions provided to the numerical exercises (first part of the exam). This part will contribute to 50% of the final mark.