MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

FOURTH YEAR
2010/2011
Semester One

MEC 4105 RENEWABLE ENERGY COURSE

 COURSE OUTLINE
In this course we shall look at:
• Biomass energy: Definitions, conversion technologies,
conservation and efficient utilization. Biogas: sources and types of
biogas plant and appliances.
• Solar energy: Sun’s Energy, Photovoltaic, thermal applications;

water heaters, dryers, cookers.

• Wind energy and its applications

• Hydropower: Generation, Micro hydropower stations

• Geothermal energy

• Biofuels: Ethanol and biodiesel use

• Energy management

• Energy policy issues

 COURSE ASSESSMENT
This course will be assessed through;
• Course Work

- Exercises, Assignments and Tests 20%

- Group Project 15%
• Exam 60%
References
- Frank Kreith and D. Yogi, Goswami, Hand book of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, 2007, CRC Press an imprint of Taylor and Francis Group,
LLC
- Frank Kreith and D. Yogi, Goswami, Energy Conversion, 2007, CRC Press an
imprint of Taylor and Francis Group, LLC
- Godfrey Boyle, Renewable Energy Power for a Sustainable Future” Second
Edition, 2004, Oxford University Press in association with The Open
University
- Internet (All search engines)
 INTRODUCTION
Energy: The word energy is derived from the Greek word en (in) and ergon (work).
Which means ability to do work. Units of energy are Joules (J)
Power: Though power and energy are often informally used as though they were
synonymous power can be defined as the rate at which energy is converted from one
form to the other, or transferred from one place to another. Its units are Watts.

In practice energy is conveniently measured in terms of power used for a given time
period. If the power of an electric heater is 1kW and it runs for an hour, then it has
consumed one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy
ENERGY UNITS
 ENERGY UNITS
Energy is also measured simply in terms of quantities of fuel, such as tonnes of coal or
oil. The conversion factors are as shown in the table below. ( 1 Mtoe = 41.9 PJ)
petajoule = 1x1015 J, exajoule =1018 J and terajoule =1012 J

Table: Energy Conversion Factor

MJ GJ kWh toe tce

1 MJ 1 0.001 0.2778 2.4x10-5 3.6x10-5

1 GJ 1000 1 277.8 0.024 0.036

1 kWh 3.6 0.0036 1 8.6 x 10-5 1.3 x10-4

1 toe 42,000 42 12,000 1 1.5

1 tce 28,000 28 7800 0.67 1

 ENERGY CONSERVATION
The energy conservation principle has to do with transformation of energy from one form
to another, the total quantity of energy remaining unchanged. The principle, that energy
is always conserved is the First Law of Thermodynamics.

Forms of Energy
Energy occurs in many forms but its diversity can be reduced to four forms
-Kinetic energy: The energy possessed by any moving object. Within a material kinetic
energy determines the temperature of the material and thereby bringing about Thermal
energy which is the kinetic energy associated with the rapid motion of molecules in the
material
- Gravitational energy; the input of energy required to lift an object from the earth
because of the gravitational pull of the earth that opposes movement.
If an object is lifted above the ground the input energy is stored in form of gravitational
potential energy. P.E = mgh
-Electrical Energy: The energy as a result of electrical forces that hold together the
atoms and molecules of materials. Every atom can be considered to consist of a cloud of
electrically charged partcles, electrons, moving around a central nucleus.
 ENERGY CONSERVATION
Forms of Energy
When atoms come together to form molecules or solid materials, the distribution of
electrons is changed. Thus chemical energy, viewed at atomic level can be considered
electrical energy.
Another form of electrical energy is the electromagnetic energy which is the energy that
is carried by electromagnetic radiation. It is in this form for example that solar energy
reaches the earth. Electromagnetic energy is radiated in greater or lesser amounts by
every object. It ravels as a wave that can carry energy through empty space. The length
of its wavelength characterizes its form i.e x-rays, ultraviolet and infrared radiation,
visible light, radio waves and microwaves.
- Nuclear Energy: this is the energy bound up in the central nuclei of atoms. It can be
from fission or fusion processes.
 WORLD ENERGY SUPPLY

Fig: 2004 Fuel shares of world total primary energy supply (Source: Renewable
in global energy supply. IEA fact sheet)
REGIONAL SHARES IN RENEWABLE
ENERGY

Fig: 2004 Regional Shares in Renewable Energy(Source: Renewable in global

energy supply. IEA fact sheet)
OECD – Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
 REGIONAL SHARES IN RENEWABLE
ENERGY

Due to the high share of biomass in total renewables, non-OECD

regions like Asia, Africa and Latin America emerge as the main
renewables users. The bulk of the consumption occurs in the
residential sector for cooking and heating purposes.
When looking at hydro and other (or “new”) renewables (solar,
wind, etc.), OECD accounts for most of the use with, respectively,
45% and 66% in 2004
SECTORAL CONSUMPTION OF
RENEWABLES

EIA Statistics
 SECTORAL CONSUMPTION OF
RENEWABLES

Renewables are the third largest contributor to global electricity production. They
accounted for almost 18% of production in 2004, after coal (40%) and natural gas (close
to 20%), but ahead of nuclear (16%), and oil (7%) and nonrenewable waste. Almost 90%
of electricity generated from renewables comes from hydropower plants while close to
6% comes from combustible renewables and waste. Geothermal, solar and wind have
now reached 4.5% of renewable generation

EIA Statistics
 NON RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS: Fossil fuels get their name because they formed from
microscopic plants millions of years ago. Fossil fuels include natural gas,
coal, and the fractions of petroleum such as gasoline, oil, diesel fuel,
propane, butane, and tar. Nature has taken 60 to 300 million years to
make these fuels, but we might use them up in 17 to 70 years from now,
depending on future consumption
Conventional Energy Resources include
- Petroleum
- Natural Gas
- Coal
- Nuclear
Unconventional (examples are:)
- Oil Shale
- Natural gas hydrates in marine sediment
 RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Definition
We can thus define renewable energy as energy that is derived from natural
processes that are replenished constantly. In its various forms, it derives directly
from the sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth. Included in the
definition is electricity and heat generated from solar, wind, ocean, hydropower,
biomass, geothermal resources, and biofuels and hydrogen derived from
renewable resources

Why Renewable Energy

The prices of fossil fuels, particularly oil and natural gas, have risen sharply
over the past few years. As a result, alternative sources of energy — used
specifically in electricity generation and transportation — are garnering
increasing attention. Although they still meet only a small percentage of global
energy demand, the more commercially viable alternative energy sources are
growing rapidly, presenting investors with the potential for attractive long-term
opportunities.
 RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Why Renewable Energy (Cont’d)
- The increasing concerns of climate change from enhanced
greenhouse effect as a result of emissions from conventional
fuels has increased further the development of renewable
energy resources.
- The concerns by both the developed and developing
countries of energy security given that conventional energy
resources are not widely spread.
- Therefore, renewable energy sources can address the above
challenges since they are being replaced/generated at the same
time they are used and are well distributed
 RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Why Renewable Energy (Cont’d)

- A day will soon when the earth will be deprived of fossil fuels. Before
that day, every one of us is looking forward to some reliable energy
reservoir that can satisfy the ever increasing demand of energy. What can
be better than those elements that are widely distributed on this planet
and can function without contaminating the environment?
- They cause no pollution as their emission level is zero. Besides they are
self-sufficient and un-exhaustible. They are need of the hour to maintain
the eco-logical balance that has been disturbed by continuous
interruption of human beings (via multiple means) in all these years.
- The use of environment friendly resources of energy will control the
casual respiratory disease as well as fatal diseases like cancer.
 RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Why Renewable Energy (Cont’d)

- The toughest task that humans are facing today is of global warming.
There is no way to control the carbon dioxide that is already spoiling the
atmosphere of our planet but to change the means of acquiring energy.
To implement solar, geothermal and hydro resources will help in not
completely restoring but, at least, controlling the increasing temperature
of mother earth.
- These modes of energy need one time investment. Later on they only
need capital for maintenance. Almost all of them are self-governing.
 RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Why Renewable Energy (Cont’d)

- A day will soon when the earth will be deprived of fossil fuels. Before that day, every
one of us is looking forward to some reliable energy reservoir that can satisfy the ever
increasing demand of energy. What can be better than those elements that are widely
distributed on this planet and can function without contaminating the environment?
- They cause no pollution as their emission level is zero. Besides they are self-sufficient
and un-exhaustible. They are need of the hour to maintain the eco-logical balance that
has been disturbed by continuous interruption of human beings (via multiple means) in
all these years.
- The use of environment friendly resources of energy will control the casual
respiratory disease as well as fatal diseases like cancer.
 RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
- Solar photovoltaic
- Solar thermal power
- Passive solar air and water heating
- Wind
- Hydropower
- Biomass
- Ocean energy
- Geothermal
- Waste to Energy
Renewable Vs Sustainable
 Renewable  Sustainable
 Hydro Power  Hydrogen & Fuel Cells
 Wind Energy  Nuclear
 Oceanic Energy  Fossil Fuel Innovation
 Solar Power  Exotic Technologies
 Geothermal  Integration
 Biomass  Distributed Generation
 RENEWABLE VS SUSTAINABLE
ENERGY

Sustainable energy is the provision of energy such that it meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs
Basic differences in renewable and sustainable energy sources
1. The energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric power, tidal power,
geothermal power and wave power are all important types of renewable energy. However if
these energy sources are coupled with the energy efficacy it is termed as sustainable energy
sources.
2. Another difference is that nuclear energy is not a renewable energy source but it is a
sustainable energy source. Some people believe that there is as such no difference in
sustainable energy and renewable energy but the difference exists. Renewable energy
sources are only those energy sources which does not pollute environment during their
consumption. The need to find fuel and energy substitute put great pressure on human race
to find new and more energy sources. All renewable energy sources are sustainable energy
sources but all sustainable energy sources can not be termed as renewable energy. Nuclear
energy is not considered a renewable energy source.
 CHALLENGES OF RENEWABLE
ENERGY DEV’T
Each renewable energy has its associated challenges as will be discussed, however the
biggest challenge in deploying most renewable energy technologies has been cost
competitiveness

With the exception of large hydropower, combustible biomass (for heat) and larger
geothermal projects (>30 MWe), the average costs of renewable energy are generally
not competitive with wholesale electricity and fossil fuel prices.

On the other hand, several renewable energy options for specific, small-scale
applications can now compete in the marketplace, including hot water from solar
collectors and electricity from small hydro and other technologies.
With worldwide adoption of stricter environmental standards and guidelines for
greenhouse gas emissions, it is becoming clear that renewable energy systems will be
credited for their inherent advantage in lowering emissions. These environmental
benefits will contribute towards making the delivered costs more palatable(pleasant) and
are already the driving force behind policy initiatives in many countries

However, achieving substantial technology breakthroughs to improve cost-

competitiveness remains a priority

EIA Statistics
COST COMPETITIVENESS OF SELECTED
TECHNOLOGIES

Source: Renewable Energy RD&D Priorities OECD/IEA,2006