23AGT305 – RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

UNIT I

INTRODUCTION TO ENERGY SYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

 

Classification of Energy Sources-Renewable vs. non-renewable, fossil fuels, nuclear, and their limitations; Global and Indian Energy Scenario-Energy reserves, consumption patterns, demand forecasting, and policy frameworks- Environmental Impacts of Energy Use- Greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, pollution from conventional sources, and sustainability metrics; Basic Heat Transfer Mechanisms- Conduction, convection, radiation; applications in energy systems; Laws of Thermodynamics: Zeroth, first, second, and third laws; entropy and exergy analysis in energy conversion; Energy Economics and Efficiency- Cost-benefit analysis, life-cycle assessment (LCA), and energy auditing basics.

UNIT II

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS

 

Solar Radiation Fundamentals- Extraterrestrial and terrestrial radiation; measurement techniques (pyranometers) and solar geometry- Solar Thermal Collectors: Flat-plate, evacuated tube, and parabolic concentrators, efficiency calculations and materials- Solar Thermal Applications: Water heating, space heating/cooling, crop drying, and industrial process heat- Photovoltaic (PV) Cell Technologies: Semiconductor principles; first-, second-, and third-generation cells (c-Si, thin-film, perovskites)- PV System Components and Design: Modules, arrays, inverters, batteries; standalone vs. grid-connected systems- Solar Power Plants and Economics

UNIT III

WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS

 

Wind Resource Assessment- Wind patterns, velocity distribution (Weibull), site selection, and turbulence effects.- Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines: Blade theory, lift/drag coefficients, Betz limit, and power curve analysis- Types of Wind Turbines: Horizontal-axis (HAWT) vs. vertical-axis (VAWT)- Darrieus and Savonius rotors- Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS)- Mechanical components, yaw control, and pitch regulation- Generators and Electrical Systems: Induction, synchronous, and permanent magnet generators; power electronics for grid integration-Wind Farm Design and Economics: Layout optimization, wake effects, capacity factors, and financial modeling (LCOE).

UNIT IV

HYDRO AND BIOMASS ENERGY SYSTEMS

 

Hydropower Fundamentals- Hydrology, runoff estimation, and classification (run-of-river, pumped storage)- Hydraulic Turbines: Impulse (Pelton) and reaction (Francis, Kaplan) turbines; specific speed and efficiency- Hydroelectric Plant Components: Dams, penstocks, generators; micro/small hydro systems for decentralized power-Biomass Resources and Characteristics: Types (wood, agricultural residues, energy crops); proximate/ultimate analysis and availability in India- Biomass Conversion Technologies: Direct combustion, gasification, pyrolysis; biogas production via anaerobic digestion- Biofuels and Applications: Biodiesel, bioethanol, biomethane; biohydrogen, biomass power plants, cogeneration, and environmental benefits.

UNIT V

EMERGING RENEWABLE SOURCES AND SYSTEM INTEGRATION

 

Geothermal Energy- Earth’s structure, hot springs/reservoirs; dry steam, flash, and binary cycle plants; Ocean Energy Technologies- Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC); principles, closed/open cycles, and applications; Tidal and Wave Energy- Tidal barrages/streams, wave motion characteristics; oscillating water columns and point absorbers; Energy Storage Solutions- Batteries (Li-ion, Na-ion flow), pumped hydro, compressed air; role in renewable intermittency- Grid Integration and Smart Grids: Hybrid systems (solar-wind), power quality issues, and microgrid concepts- Renewable Energy Policies and Economics: Global agreements (Paris Accord), Indian RE targets, subsidies, and challenges in scaling up.

 

 

   

TEXT BOOKS

T1

Stephen Peake, (2017). Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future. Oxford University Press.

T2

Kishore V.V.N.,(2010). Renewable Energy Engineering and Technology: Principles and Practice,   TERI Press.

T3

John Twidell& Tony Weir, (2015).Renewable Energy Resources. 3rd Edition, Routledge (Taylor & Francis).

T4

Kothari D.P., Singal K.C. & Rakesh Ranjan.(2021). Renewable Energy Sources and Emerging Technologies.3rd Edition, PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.

T5

G.D. Rai. (2022). Non-Conventional Energy Sources. Latest Edition (Revised), Khanna Publishers.

REFERENCES

R1

Ritchie, H. (2024). Not the end of the world: How we can be the first generation to build a sustainable planet. Little, Brown Spark.

R2

Del Río, P., &Ragwitz, M. (Eds.). (2023). Handbook on the economics of renewable energy. Edward Elgar Publishing.

R3

Wagman, D. R. (2024). Renewable energy: A nontechnical guide. PennWell Books.

R4

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2025, July). Renewable energy highlights. IRENA.

R5

Duggan, J. E. (2025). Recent progress in sustainable energy systems development: Investment, operations, and decarbonization. Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports, 12(1), 1᎓15.