UNIK9800 – Renewable Energy: science and technology
Course description
Course content
Renewable energy can be defined as energy generated from natural sources. This course will give an overview of the main scientific principles and technologies related to harnessing and conversion of the earth?s renewable energy sources, combined with a wide range of case studies, laboratory activities and excursions at the research institutes in Kjeller. Among the topics: indirect uses of solar energy (wind and hydroelectric power, bioenergy); non-solar renewable energy (tidal power, geothermal energy); integration into the grid system; sustainability of renewable energy, future prospects and policies scenario.
Learning outcome
This course aims to give students the foundation to:
- Describe the various renewable energy sources and the possible conversion paths to a useful form of energy; learn the principles of the heat engine cycle.
- Describe the aerodynamics of wind turbines and calculate their power, energy production and the effect of the blade design; discuss the siting of turbines in relation to their output and their environmental impact.
- Explain the principles of hydroelectricity; describe how biomass is currently used as a source of energy, its future potential both in providing energy and in producing alternative fuels.
- Explain the physical principles of wave energy, the generation of tides and how to harness their power; describe the physics of geothermal resources, the thermal gradient and heat flow in sedimentary basins.
- Discuss the integration of intermittent renewable electricity into the grid system through laboratory exercises; compare the efficiency of different energy storage solutions (e.g. batteries, fuel cell and hydrogen storage); review the latest advancement in the materials development applied to renewable energy.
- Analyze the sustainability of renewable energy, the carbon abatement policies, the principles of CO2 capture and storage; gain an interdisciplinary approach to the issues raised by renewable energy; discuss how the risks and benefits of a particular strategy can be assessed.
- Explain and present research advances on materials for renewable energy.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
FYS3320 – Physics and energy resources (discontinued)
MENA3200 – Energy Materials (continued)
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with UNIK4800 – Renewable Energy: science and technology (continued)
- 10 credits overlap with TEK9300 – Renewable Energy: Science and Technology
- 10 credits overlap with TEK5300 – Renewable Energy: Science and Technology
Teaching
Lectures and exercises. Visits and laboratory experiences in the research facilities of the technology park in Kjeller. A compulsory essay which has to be approved before you can enter the final examination.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
During the course, the students will present a compulsory essay on a chosen energy topic which has to be approved before entering the final examination. This will be graded either as "pass" or "failure". A final oral examination, written if many students, will be held and graded A to F, F is failure.
Present an additional essay about research advances on chosen materials for renewable energy, based on current scientific literature. This will be graded either as "pass" or "failure".
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.