pre366 - Solar Low Temperature (Complete module description)

At the end of the module the student will
- understand the principles of operation, design and methods of low temperature solar energy use: building heating and cooling, microgeneration systems.
- be aware of the potentialities of solar resource for energy saving in building
- be aware of the solar heating and cooling technologies
- understand the different solar collector technologies
- understand the thermodynamics of energy conversion systems
- be familiar with the utilisation of different numeric tools for heating systems design, performance evaluation and techno-economic viability
- have a critical understanding of the physical principles relating to the operation and design of solar collectors.
- be able to compare the design and operation of solar heating and/or cooling systems in buildings
- will have a critical understanding of the complete system efficiency on the basis of sub-systems efficiency limitation.

1. Solar Collectors theory and technologies
- The solar resource
- Direct and indirect irradiance
- Mask effects
- Solar collectors theory
- Plate collectors
- Evacuated collectors
- Low concentrated collectors
- Solar collectors technologies and application
- Design software for implantation in buildings.
2. Solar Conversion (solar heating/cooling, microgeneration)
- Thermodynamics optimisation : exergy analysis
- Potentialities of low temperature solar energy for cooling
- Potentialities of low temperature solar energy for electricity production
- Heat driven cooling system theory and technologies
- Liquid absorption system
- Solid sorption systems
- Microgeneration : ORC and Stirling systems

B. Sorensen: Renewable Energy. Elsevier, 2004.
Richard E. Sonntag , Gordon J. Van Wylen: Applied thermodynamics. ERPI,2004

Written exam : End of the Semester / end of May
Written report : during the semester / February to May

Written exam (50 %): 2 hours
Written report (50%): extended laboratory report, 10-20 pages