The Wind and Solar Energy course, part of the sixth-semester engineering curriculum, introduces students to the fundamental principles, technologies, and integration issues of renewable energy systems. This course focuses on wind and solar energy generation, their components, control strategies, and challenges in grid integration.
Introduction
Renewable energy is critical for sustainable development, with wind and solar energy playing a significant role in global energy production. This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of wind and solar systems, covering topics like energy generation, system design, power electronics, and grid integration, preparing them for careers in renewable energy engineering.
Syllabus Overview
Module 1: Physics of Wind Power
- Topics Covered:
- History and global statistics of wind power
- Wind physics: Betz limit, Tip Speed Ratio, stall, and pitch control
- Wind speed statistics: probability distributions and cumulative distribution functions
- Key Applications:
- Estimation of wind energy potential for power generation.
- Hours: 4
Module 2: Wind Generator Topologies
- Topics Covered:
- Modern wind turbine technologies: fixed and variable speed
- Induction Generators, Doubly-Fed Induction Generators, and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators
- Power electronics converters: generator-converter configurations and control
- Key Applications:
- Design and operation of wind energy conversion systems.
- Hours: 11
Module 3: The Solar Resource
- Topics Covered:
- Solar radiation spectra, solar geometry, and Earth-Sun angles
- Observer-Sun angles and estimation of solar energy availability
- Key Applications:
- Solar energy potential estimation for designing PV systems.
- Hours: 3
Module 4: Solar Photovoltaic Systems
- Topics Covered:
- Fundamentals of solar cells: technologies (amorphous, monocrystalline, polycrystalline)
- VI characteristics of PV cells, modules, and arrays
- Power electronic converters: MPPT algorithms and converter control
- Applications: Grid-connected and standalone systems, solar water pumps, and street lights
- Key Applications:
- Design and implementation of solar PV systems for diverse applications.
- Hours: 11
Module 5: Network Integration Issues
- Topics Covered:
- Grid code technical requirements
- Fault ride-through for wind farms
- Solar PV and wind farm behavior during grid disturbances
- Power quality issues and hybrid operations of solar PV and wind systems
- Key Applications:
- Addressing challenges in renewable energy grid integration.
- Hours: 8
Module 6: Solar Thermal Systems
- Topics Covered:
- Solar collectors, water heaters, passive heating and cooling systems
- Solar cookers, refrigeration, and air conditioning
- Solar thermal power generation: parabolic trough, central receivers, parabolic dish, Fresnel, and solar ponds
- Key Applications:
- Design and analysis of solar thermal applications for energy generation and conservation.
- Hours: 5
Course Outcomes
Upon completing this course, students will:
- Demonstrate the importance of renewable energy sources and applications of wind and solar systems.
- Perform preliminary analysis related to wind energy systems.
- Analyze and design solar PV and thermal systems.
- Identify power electronic converters for renewable energy systems.
- Address issues related to the integration of renewable energy into electrical utility networks.