Sustainable power supply

Subject description

Students will get a comprehensive overview about the role and the principles of the electrical energy production. They will learn the social, economic and the technical aspect of the energy consumption.

The basic knowledge about the electrical energy supply will be obtained. The generation of electric power, its transmission and its distribution will be explained. The emphasis will be placed to the elementary principles of power system operation, the requirements of power system operation regarding the environment protection, the development of new technologies, the impact of different concepts of electrical energy generation (conventional sources, renewable sources) and the socioeconomic impact of the electrical energy supply.

Students will obtain information about the basic laws related to the energy conversion and about the role and characteristics of power systems for the electrical power supply.

The terms, which rule the development of new electrical power systems, will be described such as sustainable energy sources, low carbon technologies, efficient use of electrical energy, quality of electrical energy and smartgrids.

The subject is taught in programs

Objectives and competences

Students will get an overview about the needs related with the electrical energy and about the exploitation of sources in the process of electric energy production. They will get the basic knowledge in the field of production, transmission and distribution of electrical energy. The benefits of the environmental protection, new technologies, renewable energy sources and efficient use of energy will be explained and discussed.

The basic knowledge will be obtained, which will enable that students will be capable to distinguish between general theoretical concepts and technically and environmentally acceptable concepts.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and laboratory exercises

Expected study results

Knowledge and understanding:

Students will understand the principles and the methods of primary energy conversion into electrical energy with conventional technology and with alternative technologies.

Students will understand the physical and technical principles, which enable the conversion of energy to electrical energy and the transmission principles. They will learn about the efficiency related with environmental end economic parameters. Students will understand the operational characteristics of electrical power systems, end users and the conditions for the operation.

Application

Acquired knowledge will serve as a standpoint for the evaluation of electrical energy concepts and a basis for solving the problems of siting the power plants to the environment. Knowledge of operational characteristics and limitations of conventional sources of energy represents the basis for the national energy program.

Skills

Acquired knowledge forms the basis for decision-making related to the planning of power plants and their placement into the environment. Acquired knowledge supports the competent economic evaluation of individual power supply solutions.

Basic sources and literature

Encyclopedia of Energy, 2004 Elsevier Inc.
Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers, The McGraw-Hill, 2006
M. Čepin, Assessment of power system reliability. London: Springer, 2011
B. Orel: Energetski pretvorniki I, Založba FER, Ljubljana 1992
B. Orel: Energetski pretvorniki II, Založba FER, Ljubljana 1993
J. Voršič:Pretvarjanje v električno energijo Maribor: Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, računalništvo in informatiko, 1996,
Ian Plimer: Heaven and Earth, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2009