EE535: Renewable Energy:

Systems, Technology &

Economics
Session 2: Energy & Power

EE535 Stephen Daniels, Oct

2009
 Terminology
SI unit of power is the Joule 1 kJ kilojoule 103J
(J)
1 MJ megajoule 106J
Much of our fuel consumption 1 GJ gigajoule109J
is based on fossil fuels, so
values of energy consumption 1 TJ terajoule 1012J
are often expressed in terms of 1 PJ petajoule 1015J
tonnes of oil equivalent (toe 1 EJ exajoule 1018J
or Mtoe)
1 toe = 42 GJ Worldwide energy consumption in 2006
Rate of energy consumption is was estimated to be equivalent to 10879
the watt (W), equivalent to a million tons of oil equivalent
joule/s = 10879 x 106 x 42 x 109 J
Electrical energy is more = 457 EJ
usually expressed in kilowatt
hours (kWh)
1 kWh = 3600 kJ

The kilowatt hour / day (kWh/d) is a useful measure of the rate we use/produce power
EE535 Stephen Daniels, Oct
How much does a kWh of electricity cost a domestic user in Ireland?
2009
 Forms of Energy (I)
Gravitation Potential
E = mgh
Example: Energy stored in a reservoir
Mechanical: Kinetic Energy of a moving body
E = mv2
Example: Rotational kinetic energy (e.g. turbo-generator)
Flow of water to a turbine or wind-energy machine
Flow of air through windmill blades
Tidal flow
Thermal: The energy stored as heat in a body
Energy = mass x specific heat capacity x rise in temperature
Energy is due to an increase in kinetic energy of atoms/molecules
Examples: burning fossil fuels, nuclear reaction, solar thermal collector

EE535 Stephen Daniels, Oct

2009
 Forms of Energy (II)
Chemical: Energy released in a chemical
reaction
Example: burning of fuel often expressed in kJ/kg
Electrical: The energy in joules is given by the
product of power (P = VI watts), and time (s)
Radiation
Photon energy E= hv = hc/
Examples: solar photovoltaic conversion,
photosynthesis of sunlight to biomass
Atomic Energy
E = mc2

Question for class: Is atomic energy a renewable resource?

EE535 Stephen Daniels, Oct
2009
 Energy Resources of the Earth*
Renewable Non-Renewable

Direct Conversion
Photo Pyrolysis
Synthesis Fermentation Coal
Digestion Oil
Gravitational Fossil
Gas
Limnic Salination Shale
Solar
Evaporation
Waves
Currents
Oceanic Thermal Difference Mineral Fission
Osmotic Fusion

Direct Conversion

Geothermal

Gravitational EE535 Stephen Daniels, Oct

* Source : Renewable Energy Focus Handbook, Elesevier 2009
2009
 Planetary Energy Balance *

Direct Reflection 52,000 TW (30%)

Solar Direct Conversion to Heat 78,000 TW (45%)
Radiation Evaporation of Water 39,000 TW (22%)
(173,000TW) Wind & Waves 3,600 TW (2%)
Photosynthesis 40 TW

Tides 3TW

Volcanos & Hot Springs 0.3 TW

Geothermal Rock Conduction 32 TW

Equilibrium between incoming and outgoing energy is oscillatory in nature

EE535 Stephen Daniels, Oct

* Source : Renewable Energy Focus Handbook, Elesevier 2009
2009
 Sustainable Energy
Sustainable energy energy production
without compromising the production
capability of future generations
Nuclear: is it reasonable to include fossil
fuels and nuclear fission as transitional
sources while technology develops?
Strictly: energy sources which are not
expected to be depleted in a time frame
relevant to the human race.
EE535 Stephen Daniels, Oct
2009
 Can We Live On Renewables?
How much energy do we use?
What is the maximum potential of the
renewable resources?
What about economic, social, and
environmental constraints?

EE535 Stephen Daniels, Oct

2009
 40W Light Bulb
If left on all the time, uses almost 1 kWh
per day
Circa 538g of CO2 released into the
atmosphere
1 kWh cost circa 0.1455 cents

EE535 Stephen Daniels, Oct

2009
 Terminology
Capacity Factor / Load Factor = (average
power output ) / (maximum output)
Peak Power
Storage Capacity

EE535 Stephen Daniels, Oct

2009