The objective of this course is to understand the global energy problem and how to deal with it by means of using renewable energy resources and more specifically Wind Energy, Solar Energy and Geothermy.
Basic concepts of Meteorology: Execution and utilization of observations. Basic knowledge in weather map analysis. Introduction to weather forecasting, with emphasis on wind and solar potential.
Wind Energy: Forces acting on an air mass to move. Introductory concepts for wind (gradient wind, geostrophic wind, wind characteristics). Wind measurements instruments, advantages and disadvantages of wind energy. Calculation of wind power. Representative types of wind turbines. Power generated by a wind turbine. Territorial suitability for the installation of a wind turbine. Utilization of wind systems in Greece.
Solar Energy: Introductory concepts for solar radiation (total, direct and diffuse). Instruments for measuring solar radiation (pyranometers, pyrheliometers). Factors affecting solar radiation. Basics on Photovoltaic Cells. Advantages and disadvantages of solar energy. Solar radiation utilization systems. Utilization of solar systems in Greece.
Geothermy: Basic geothermal concepts, as well as the contribution of Applied Geophysics to the research and identification of geothermal fields and includes: Geothermal parameters: Temperature, heat, enthalpy, thermal gradient, thermal flow, thermal properties of rocks. Geothermal energy: Heat sources, geothermal gradient, change of heat release with depth, distribution of geothermal potential areas. Geothermal field: Structure model. Classification of geothermal fields. Surface incidence of geothermal fields: Geothermal fluids, geothermometers. Geothermal research: Research strategy (identification, geological and hydrogeological research), Geochemical research, Geophysical research (methods of detection and localization of geothermal fields), measurements and tests within drillings, temperature and pressure charts. Evaluation of geothermal potential. Exploitation of geothermal fields.