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Energy Systems Laboratory

Semester 1

In this course students will use various tools, such as anemometers, wind vanes and data loggers to assess wind resource and create wind maps. Computer simulations will be used to assess the economic viability of installing renewable energy systems. Several designs, measurements and analyses of solar insolation and hydro-electricity plants will be performed. Power System Simulator for Engineering (PSSE) software will be used to model and analyze high voltage transformers and transmission systems. Field trips to various energy generating centres will form a vital part of this course as students will have the opportunity to learn and experience how systems work in the energy sector domain.

Syllabus: 
  • Programming e.g. the Nomad 2 wind data logger and performing data analysis.
  • Wind mapping using suitable computer software (e.g WindMap )
  • Economics of hybrid energy systems
  • Field visits to hydro and wind power facilities
  • Clear sky model for solar insolation on horizontal surfaces
  • Efficiency analysis of a flat-plate solar collector
  • I-V characteristics of a solar cell
  • Design and installation of a solar energy system
  • Design and construction of rectifier, inverter and transformer circuits
  • Build a transmission network
  • Conduct load (power) flow contingency analysis for base-case load flow and short
  • Circuit study and fault analysis for various system load and network additions
Co-requisites: 
ELET3611
Evaluation: 

The course assessment will be as follows:

  • One 4-hour final practical examination                       40%
  • Ten laboratory reports (equal weighting)                    40%
  • One group seminar presentation                                 20%

The grading for the group seminar will be as follow:

  • Individual contribution (15%)
  • Team work (5%)
Learning Objectives: 

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

  • describe the processes of generating electricity from fossil, wind and solar
  • perform wind and solar resource assessments
  • perform a preliminary economic analysis of wind, hydro, solar and hybrid systems
  • design and implement a small scale solar power plant
  • design and fabricate circuits consisting of electronic components and transformers to facilitate power transmission from small scale power plants
  • use computer software tools to model and analyze high voltage transformers and transmission systems
  • write technical reports and make effective oral presentations
PHYS3671 and PHYS3681

Prescribed

  • Energy Systems Laboratory Manual (available in-house)

Highly Recommended:

  • Solanki C. S., (2011), Solar Photovoltaics: Fundamentals, Technologies and Applications; PHI Learning Private Limited; 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9788120343863. Also available as Kindle edition (2012) - ASIN: B0089AO19E
  • Solar Energy International, (2004), Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual; New Society Publishers, 1st Edition.ISBN-10: 0865715203; ISBN-13: 978-0865715202
  • Ackermann, T., (2012), Wind Power in Power Systems; Wiley; 2nd Edition.ISBN-10: 0470974168.   ISBN-13: 978-0470974162

 Internet Sources:

Course Code: 
ELET3600
Credits: 
3 Credits
Level: 
Level 3
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