Essentials of Renewable Energy Technologies and Solutions
Semester 1
Syllabus:
Background and Introduction to RESs: Force, energy, and power as key concepts; Units of power and energy; Introduction to the governing laws of thermodynamic; main forms of heat transfer; Forms of energy, energy conversion, and efficiency; Energy use globally and in Caribbean region; Climate change and the shift to RESs; Overview of the sources of renewable energy; Introduction to forms of energy storage; Introductory concepts in hybridized RES.
The history/evolution and technologies of the main sustainable energy sources: Solar Energy (Thermal and Photovoltaics); Bioenergy; Hydro energy; Tidal and Wave Energy; Wind Energy, Geothermal Energy and Waste to Energy. Variations, innovations, current markets, and limitations in the Caribbean; Active and passive measures (LEED certification etc.) for energy conservation in buildings and households.
Energy Efficiency: Active and passive measures (CFL and LED Lighting, HVAC upgrades, LEED certification etc.) for energy conservation in buildings and households.
Economics and policies of Caribbean islands to encourage the positive shift towards RESs: applications, resource assessments, social and environmental impacts, and energy storage; the importance of RESs in the context of climate change mitigation and carbon emissions