| KEYWORD |
Area Engineering
Renewable Energy from Water Canals
keywords IRRIGATION AND SUSTAINABLE WATER USE, RENEWABLE ENERGY, WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS
Reference persons ILARIA BUTERA, DAVIDE POGGI
Thesis type NUMERICAL AND THEORETICAL
Description The thesis concerns the study of the energy potential and possible construction technologies for the installation of solar panels and kinetic turbines in currently existing canals used for irrigation purposes. Through the installation of solar panels and kinetic turbines, the enormous network of water canals in northern Italy could be transformed into a valuable renewable energy resource.
An advantage for water and energy
Canals that have been covered with solar panel canopies (photovoltaic canals) offer multiple benefits. Mainly they generate clean energy, which can be fed into the grid or stored in battery systems and used for moving gates and monitoring infrastructure. Furthermore, they save agricultural land, as solar panels are installed on existing infrastructure. A secondary, but far from irrelevant, advantage of photovoltaic channels is the reduction of water evaporation, since they absorb much of the sunlight which would otherwise increase the temperature and evaporation of the water flowing in the channels below. Irrigation canals are generally uncovered, leading to high evaporation rates, a major problem in times of drought. Another benefit is the increased efficiency of the panels due to the cooling nature of the water underneath (colder panels generate more electricity). Finally, the shade provided by the panels can help prevent toxic algae blooms stimulated by exposure to sunlight.
Required skills Various types of theses can be developed. From the more territorial ones where the use of GIS tools can be useful, up to the more planning ones where SolidWorks can be of support
Deadline 03/04/2025
PROPONI LA TUA CANDIDATURA