EMEE6006
Renewable Energy Technology II: Advanced
Professor Philip C.Y. Chow
7-19 Haking Wong Building
Mechanical Engineering
[email protected] My research interest
Energy conversion between light and electricity in novel semiconducting materials, such as
organic molecules/polymers, perovskites and 2D layered materials.
Topics include:
• Low-cost, flexible, semitransparent solar cells
• Flexible near-infrared sensors for continuous monitoring of vital health signals
• Study and control of electronic processes using ultrafast laser pulses
Timetable
Lecture 1
Introduction to various types of energy
conversion
Introduction
Key questions:
• What is energy?
• Where do we find it? Can we make it?
• How do we convert it and use it for applications (lighting, heating, computing, transportation, machining, etc.)?
Background knowledge
• Thermodynamics: “macro-scale” objects
• Quantum mechanics: “micro-scale” objects
• Statistics: Boltzmann distribution, Fermi-Dirac
distribution…
• Electrodynamics
…
But, do not panic. Often times, we only need minimum
knowledge from abovementioned disciplines, which is
enough for us to deal with different energy conversion
cells
Size of atoms lie in the nanometer
(10-9 m) length scale
8!
1st law of thermodynamics
• Energy is always conserved (cannot be destroyed, just transferred)
2nd law of thermodynamics
The second law of thermodynamics is concerned with the direction of natural processes. It is a general principle
which places constraints upon the direction of heat transfer and the attainable efficiencies of heat engines.
“It is not possible to change heat completely into work, with
no other change taking place!”
Background: fundamental forces of nature
• These fundamental forces give rise to energy.
In brief, kinetic energy is determined by
the movement of an object in response to a
force, and potential energy is the amount of
energy stored opposing the movement.
• Energy is a conserved quantity; the law of
conservation of energy states that energy can
be converted in form, but not created or
destroyed. (First law of thermodynamics)
• For power engineering, we want to harvest
potential energy and turn it into kinetic
energy (and use it to do “work”; Second law
of thermodynamics)
Energy consumption
• Energy is needed for literally everything we do, scales with economical activity
• Rapid growth in consumption since industrial revolution
Energy today
Nuclear power Fossil Fuel Hydropower
Bio-fuel Solar power
Wind
Fossil fuels
• Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons, primarily coal, petroleum (oil) and natural gas.
• Formed from the fossilized remains of ancient plants and animals by exposure to high heat and pressure in
the absence of oxygen in the Earth's crust over hundreds of millions of years (therefore “non-renewable”)
coal wood
Hydrocarbon stores Chemical energy
Extracting chemical energy: Power plants
• Efficiency = Useful energy created / Energy stored in fuel
Coal fired power plant
Combustion: chemical to thermal energy conversion
E.g.
for methane
(gas)
Note: kJ per mole for all of above
Exothermic chemical reaction
Specific energy: a comparison
https://physics.info/energy-chemical/
Note on exothermic vs. endothermic chemical reaction
http://www.chem.uiuc.edu/rogers/text13/Tx132/tx132fr.html
Photosynthesis is an example of an endothermic chemical reaction. Photosynthetic cells (nature’s solar cells)
absorb solar energy and convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen (solar energy is converted
to potential chemical energy). This reaction requires 15MJ of energy (sunlight) for every kilogram of glucose
that is produced:
sunlight + 6CO2(g) + H2O(l) = C6H12O6(aq) + 6O2(g)
In fact, fossil fuels are Nature’s solar power reserve
http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module19/Page4.htm
So basically, our Sun is the ultimate power reserve
Thermal power plant
Thermal power plant
Steam turbine Generator Electricity Structure of steam turbine
• Over 80% of all electricity generated
today is generated using steam
turbine prime movers.
In-class discussion
• How do we determine the power-conversion efficiency of a thermal power plant?
• How efficient is today’s power plant?
• What science/engineering factors limit this value from being 100%?
Fundamental law of thermodynamics
Most of the input energy is lost…
Development of steam turbines
Examples of maximum steam turbine power during the 1900s [1] Current steam turbine products of GE Steam Power [3]
• As technologies advanced, higher efficiencies were obtained, and
the size of steam turbines increased.
• The actual thermal efficiency of a modern thermal power plant
usually ranges between 35% and 49% [2].
Sources:
[1] Jorgen Lovland, A HISTORY OF STEAM POWER, 2007.
[2] Zhang, T., Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2020. 1449(1): p. 012001.
[3] https://www.ge.com/steam-power/products/steam-turbines
Ways to improve power plant efficiencies
1. Optimize the steam cycle. Increase the thermodynamic efficiency of the steam
cycle and reduce the heat losses.
2. Better control of the combustion process. The efficiency of the combustion
process depends on the type and quality of the fuel, the air-fuel ratio, the
excess air, and the flue gas composition.
3. Maintain the equipment. The equipment of the steam power plant, such as the
boiler, turbine, condenser, pumps, valves, and pipes, are subject to wear and
tear, fouling, corrosion, and leakage over time.
4. Implement energy recovery systems. For example, harvest excess heat for
secondary power generation.
5. Monitor and analyse data. Data is a valuable resource for improving the
efficiency of the steam power plant. Real-time monitoring aided by artificial
intelligence (AI) offers a lot of potential.
Problems with fossil fuels
• They are “non-renewable” since naturally it takes a long long time to form, and we are using them at such a
rapid rate that they will soon be used up
• Hydrocarbon gases (CO2 and CH4) are released during fossil fuel extraction, transport and usage (combustion)
• These are released into air, causing greenhouse effect leading to climate change.
• Besides combustion, fossil extraction & transport also contribute greatly to climate change!
How much do fossil fuels lead to climate change?
Recent study suggests that CH4 (methane) emission
during fossil fuel extraction and usage is greatly
underestimated…
Hydrogen: a clean fuel for future?
• One way to reduce CO2 emission from fossil fuel usage is to make hydrogen fuel, which does not emit CO2
when it releases its energy in a fuel cell
• Chemical bonds between 2 hydrogen atoms (H2) can serve as a clean energy fuel, which we can also
compress into containers and transport around the world.
• Details on hydrogen fuel and fuel cells will be covered by Dr Shin.
Nuclear energy (fission)
Hahn and Meitner discovered
nuclear fission in ~1937
Power plant is similar to fossil fuel power plant…
But chemical fuel (hydrocarbons) is replaced with nuclear fuel (Uranium 235)
Question: what is the difference between nuclear energy and chemical energy?
Nuclear energy
• Nuclear energy is basically the energy holding a nucleus of an atom (protons and neutrons are held together
by the “Strong nuclear force”).
• The amount of free energy contained in nuclear fuel is millions of times the amount of free energy
contained in a similar mass of chemical fuel such as gasoline, making nuclear fission a very dense source of
energy.
• Therefore, in theory, nuclear fission energy is a very good source of energy…
Problems with nuclear fission energy
However, nuclear fission energy are far from perfect:
• Uranium 235 (nuclear fuel) is scarce, so not “sustainable”
• Creates nuclear active waste (by-products) that is extremely harmful if released into surroundings,
especially in case of natural disasters.
Nuclear fission power: today and future
Nuclear fusion: the ultimate power source for mankind?
Nuclear Fusion reactions power the Sun and other stars. In a
fusion reaction, two light nuclei merge to form a single heavier
nucleus. The process releases energy because the total mass of
the resulting single nucleus is less than the mass of the two
original nuclei. The leftover mass becomes energy.
Einstein’s equation (E=mc2), which says in part that mass and
energy can be converted into each other, explains why this
process occurs. If scientists develop a way to harness energy
from fusion in machines on Earth, it could be an important
method of energy production.
International scientists are working together on Nuclear Fusion.
This is an interdisciplinary engineering challenge requiring
knowledge and breakthroughs in materials science, mechanical
engineering, physics, etc.
ITER: commenced in 2020, will start conducting its first
experiments in the second half of this decade and full-power
experiments are planned to commence in 2036.
Overview of energy conversions
Nuclear energy originates from nuclear
forces
Chemical energy originates from
electromagnetic force
Electricity generation efficiencies of various power sources
Fuel cells: Dr Shin
Currently most
widely used
Solar PV: Dr Chow
Renewable energy
• Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which
are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain,
tides, waves, biomass, and geothermal heat.
• Besides harvesting energy from a renewable energy source, we also need to
develop efficient ways to transport and store the extracted power (create
“renewable fuels”). Example include Green hydrogen H2 fuel and biomass fuel.
Summary
• We currently rely heavily on non-renewable energy sources: (a) hydrocarbon fuels (coal, oil, gas, woods), and
(b) nuclear fission.
• For (a), we extract chemical potential energy in the organic (C=C) bonds (combustion).
• For (b), we extract nuclear potential energy stored in the nucleus of atoms (nuclear fission).
• These fuels are not sustainable because: 1) they’ll soon run out, 2) they lead to excessive greenhouse gas
emission, 3) nuclear hazards.
• Both fossil fuel and nuclear energy are harnessed using thermal power plant, in which heat energy is converted
into steam that drives a turbine.
• Efficient conversion of heat into mechanical energy is needed (steam turbine engineering).
• Modern thermal power plant usually ranges between 35% and 49%.
Assessment
10% mid-term quiz (multiple choice + short calculation questions)
• Mar 20
20% Team project presentation (details in next slides)
• April 3, 10, 17, 24
70% Written exam
• To be confirmed
Team Project Details: Practical Work (20 marks)
(15 minutes presentation + 5 minutes Q&A)
One of emerging technologies
• More information will be announced on Moodle page.
Team Project Details
One of emerging technologies
Marking Rubric
• Judged by teammates (20%), other groups (20%), and teachers (60%).
Total
Category Scoring Criteria Score
Points
The type of presentation is appropriate for the topic and audience. 5
Organization
Information is presented in a logical sequence. 5
(15 points)
Presentation appropriately, number of references 5
Introduction is attention-getting, lays out the problem well, and establishes a framework for
5
the rest of the presentation.
Technical terms are well-defined in language appropriate for the target audience. 5
Content Presentation contains accurate information. 10
(45 points) Slide included is relevant to the overall message/purpose. 10
Appropriate amount of material is prepared, and points made reflect well their relative
10
importance.
There is an obvious conclusion summarizing the presentation. 5
Speaker maintains good eye contact with the audience and is appropriately animated. 5
Speaker uses a clear, audible voice. 5
Delivery is poised, controlled, and smooth. 5
Presentation
Good language skills and pronunciation are used. 5
(40 points)
Visual aids are well prepared, informative, effective, and not distracting. 5
Length of presentation is within the assigned time limits. 5
Information was well communicated. 10
Score Total Points 100
Peer assessment by teammates
MECH6046 Peer Assessment Form
Group No. 1 Must fill in the group number
Your name Contribution* Comments, if any
Peter 33.3 %
Team Members’ Name Contribution* Comments, if any
Mary 33.3%
John 33.3%
• Remark: Contribution based on a total of 100%, for example, if all team
members have the same contribution, each should get 33.3%.
