Program Overview

New Energy Systems Program

Overview

The New Energy Systems program is a professional foundation course offered by the China-UK Low Carbon College. This course introduces various energy systems based on the technologies they depend on, analyzing them using thermodynamic and economic principles. It covers the background of new energy systems, including climate change and energy sustainability.

Course Information

• Course Code: PE6441
• Credit Hours: 48
• Credits: 3
• Course Name: New Energy Systems
• Course Type: Discipline Fundamental Course
• Language of Instruction: English
• School: China-UK Low Carbon College
• Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer
• Teacher: Zhang Zhen Dong/Xue Yuan
• Course Webpage: Not provided

Course Description

The New Energy Systems course covers typical energy systems with economic and thermodynamic principles. It analyzes various production systems and addresses sustainability, climate change, and other current energy system topics. The course discusses clean renewable energy technologies such as nuclear power, hydropower, solar energy, and wind energy, followed by a review of state-of-the-art processes to produce alternative fuels like biodiesel, bioethanol, and biogases. It also covers mobile power packs, including battery technology, hydrogen energy, and fuel cells, and examines their prospects in the transportation sector. Lastly, it discusses energy sources from nature, such as geothermal energy, ocean thermal energy, tidal, and wave energy for power generation.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students should:

1. Understand the complexities associated with various energy systems.
2. Appreciate the "big picture" related to different energy systems.
3. Have quantitative and qualitative tools to evaluate energy systems or sub-systems.
4. Appreciate the global energy picture.

Class Schedule & Requirements

The course is structured over 16 weeks, covering:

• Week 1: Overview + Energy System Analysis Tool + Economic Analysis Tool
• Week 2: Climate Change + Carbon Neutrality
• Week 3: Fossil Fuel + Combustion System + Carbon Sequestration
• Week 4: Nuclear Energy
• Week 5: Solar Energy + Heat Storage
• Week 6: Solar PV
• Week 7: Wind Energy
• Week 8: Biomass Conversion Technology
• Week 9: Alternative Fuels
• Week 10: Battery + Transportation System
• Week 11: Hydrogen + Fuel Cell
• Week 12: Energy Storage
• Week 13: Hydropower + Tidal + Wave Energy
• Week 14: Presentation
• Week 15: Final Review
• Week 16: Case Study + Final Exam

Grading

The final grade is calculated based on:

• Homework + Quiz (25%)
• Midterm Test (15%)
• Final Exam (20%)
• Project + Presentation (40%)

Textbooks & Other Materials

• English Textbook:
  1. Vanek, F.M., Albright, L.D., and Angenent, L.T., Energy Systems Engineering: Evaluation and Implementation, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2012
  2. Boyle, Godfrey. Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future, Third Edition. Oxford University Press, 2012.
  3. Bent Sørensen, Renewable Energy-Its physics, engineering, use, 3rd ed, Elsevier Science, 2004
  4. Aldo Vieira da Rosa, Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Processes, 2nd ed. Academic Press, 2009
  5. 左然，施明恒，王希麟，可再生能源概论，机械工业出版社，2007
• Other Supplemental Materials may also be provided.