In response to the rapid expansion that characterizes the renewable energy sector, the course aims to provide a general overview of the main energy sources and some of the technologies, both commercial and under development, that can be employed for their correct use. In the first part of the course the structure of the national energy system and the incentive schemes for the production of energy from renewable sources will be analysed. Synergies and contrasts between Energy, Environment and Development will be evaluated. In the second part of the course, the basic knowledge related to the principles of operation and the performance of wind farms, hydroelectric, solar, biomass and geothermal plants will be provided.

The objective of the course is to acquire the fundamental knowledge related to: 1) the structure of the national energy system and on the incentive schemes for the production of energy from renewable sources, 2) the operating principles and the performances provided by wind plants, hydroelectric plants, plants solar and biomass and geothermal plants, 3) processing of available information on wind speed, water flow and solar radiation in order to quantify the energy potential of a site, 4) preliminary sizing of a wind, hydroelectric, biomass plant and geothermal in relation to user requests and the availability of the primary source, 5) independent retrieval of technical specifications and cost data from equipment and component suppliers in order to carry out preliminary sizing and economic analysis of plants powered by renewables.

The student must know the fundamental principles of physics, hydrology, hydraulics and aquifer engineering. Basic knowledge and ability in data processing are required.

Energy, Environment and Development: synergies and conflicts. The main sources of renewable and non-renewable energy. The national and global energy scenario. Historical evolution, current situation and future developments. National and international strategies for the development and promotion of renewable energies. World protocols and national energy accounts. The total energy requirement and the electricity requirement. The electricity grid, the free market and the actors involved. The role of green energy in the market and its impact on the national electricity grid. A dynamic socio-economic scenario in continuous evolution. HYDROELECTRIC: Water reservoir, dams and flowing water systems. Principles, definitions and examples. Design criteria, main concepts of power and energy. Main types of turbines, flow duration curve and its use in hydroelectric plants. The scheme of a hydroelectric plant, main works, accessories and safety. Main types of dams. Run-of-river power plants. Types of systems, evaluation of energy potential and constituent elements. The mini and micro-hydroelectric, typologies and examples. Incentive mechanisms and development opportunities. The environmental impact of hydroelectric plants and related mitigation. The minimum vital flow, the environmental impact assessment and the administrative procedures for obtaining the hydroelectric concession. WIND ENERGY: Operating principles. The national and European Wind Atlas, Betz theorem and estimation of the wind power on a specific site. Wind analysis and basic design of wind farm. Wind turbines: characteristics and types. Regulatory framework and main applications. Landscape and environmental impact. ENERGY FROM SEA AND OCEANS: Energy from tides. Offshore wind farms. Energy from the waves. Other marine energy sources. Current status, energy potential and future developments. GEOTHERMAL: Classification of geothermal resources and their uses. High enthalpy geothermal plant types: dominant steam, dominant liquid, EGS. Closed circuit geothermal heat pump systems: geothermal poles, horizontal collectors, geothermal probes. Thermal Response Tests. Design methods for geothermal probe systems. Open circuit geothermal systems: hydraulic characterization of the aquifer, numerical simulations and analytical formulas, main management problems. Potential environmental impacts on aquifers. Reduction of polluting emissions. Notes on costs and economic evaluation. BIOMASS SYSTEMS: Biomasses and substrates usable for energy valorisation. Anaerobic digestion: principles, operating conditions, installation methods. Pre-treatments for anaerobic digestion. Mass and heat balances for full scale plants. valorisation of biogas and digestate generated.. Environmental compatibility of the anaerobic digestion process. Reduction of polluting emissions. Notes on costs and economic evaluation.

The course includes 48 hours of theoretical lessons and 12 hours of plant design in the computer lab. During the practical exercises the theoretical principles studied in class will be developed with numerical application examples. Technical visits are scheduled to the renewable energy production plants. A practical application about innovative green energy resources will be developed within a team-project (max 4 students) during the course period.

No specific texts are required. The teaching material (slides presented in class, articles, lecture notes, short reports) will be made available on the teaching portal.

Modalità di esame: Prova scritta (in aula); Elaborato progettuale in gruppo;

Exam: Written test; Group project;

... The exam concerns the concepts covered during the course and the individual work done during the practical exercises. The final mark is formed based on 85% according to the mark obtained in the examination and 15% according to the mark obtained in the Team Project.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.