Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Devices

Course Objective:
The main objective of this course is to provide fundamental knowledge to detect potential renewable energy sources near to firm and development of skills on their conversion devices. After completion of this course the students will be able to use locally available energy sources to fulfill the requirement of farm power devices using appropriate tools and methodology.

1. Introduction [2 hours]
1. Energy Sources and Their Classification
2. Earth Energy Cycle and Human Interference
3. Concept of Energy Audit and Tools of Energy Analysis
4. Energy Requirement in Agricultural Production System
5. Agricultural and Rural Energy Consumption Pattern in Nepal


2. Solar Energy [22 hours]
1. Availability and Distribution of Solar Radiation:
1. Spatial and Temporal Distribution
2. Measurement of Solar Radiation
3. Solar Angle, Angle of Incidence and Solar Time
4. Incidence of Solar Radiation on Horizontal and Inclined Surfaces
2. Application of Solar Energy:
1. Solar electricity
2. Solar thermal energy application
3. Flat Plate Collectors:
1. Principle
2. Types and Material of Construction
3. Design Considerations
4. Concentrating Collectors:
1. Types
2. Thermodynamics and Limits of Concentration
3. Stationary Concentrators
4. Compound Parabolic Concentrators
5. Multi-Step Asymmetric Concentrators
5. Solar Air Heaters:
1. Types and Use
2. Design Considerations
3. Selection, Installation and Maintenance
6. Solar Water Heaters:
1. Types and Use
2. Design Considerations
3. Selection, Installation and Maintenance
7. Solar Passive Heating Devices:
1. Types and Use
2. Thermal Storage Walls and Attached Green Houses
3. Thermal Storage Roof
8. Solar Cooker and Oven:
1. Types and Working Principle
2. Design Considerations
3. Performance Evaluation Parameters
9. Photovoltaic Conversion
1. Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Cell
2. Materials, Manufacturing Process and Performance
3. SPV Applications – Solar Lantern, Home/Street Lighting,
1. Water Pumping, Refrigeration & Cold Storage
4. Installation and Maintenance
10. Solar Crop Dryers
1. Types of Solar Crop Dryers
2. Natural Convection Solar Dryers
3. Forced Convection Solar Dryers
4. Mixed Mode Solar Dryers
5. Design Considerations
6. Performance Evaluation


3. Biomass Energy Technologies[12 hours]
1. Biomass:
1. Definition and Potential
2. Characteristics of Biomass
3. Collection and Preconditioning of Biomass- Cutting,Grinding, Bailing,
1. Briquetting
2. Biomass Gasification:
1. Basic Principles
2. Process Description
3. Types of Gasifiers
4. Operating Parameters and Performance of Gasifiers
5. Conditioning of Producer Gas
6. Application of Producer Gas – Thermal, Engine
3. Biogas:
1. Introduction to Biogas
2. Basics of Anaerobic Digestion
3. Microbial and Biochemical Process in Anaerobic Digestion
4. Types of Bioreactors and their Characteristics
5. Parameters for Selection of Reactor Types for Anaerobic Digestion
6. Factors Controlling Rates of Anaerobic Digestion
7. Design of Anaerobic Reactor for Utilizing Cattle Dung
8. Construction, Start-up, Operation and Maintenance of Bioreactors
9. Application of Biogas – Thermal, Lighting, Engine
10. Slurry Utilization as Fertilizer
11. Biogas Production in Cold Climate
4. Bio-diesel
1. Introduction of bio- diesel
2. Source of bio- diesel
3. Bio- diesel production technology
4. Application of bio- diesel


4. Wind Energy [4 hours]
1. Basic Wind Data- Speed and Direction
2. Diurnal and Seasonal Variation in Wind Speed and Direction
3. Types of Wind Energy Converters
4. Performance and Efficiency of Wind Mill


5. Micro and Small Hydroelectric Systems [5 hours]
1. Classification of Water Wheels and Turbines
2. Components of Water Wheels and Turbines
3. Design Considerations
4. Power Output and Efficiency
5. Popular Micro-Hydroelectric Systems in Nepal
6. Installation and Operation Management
7. Applications in Agricultural and Rural Development

Tutorials from chapters/topics: 1.4, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9.3, 2.10, 3.2, 3.3, 4.4,  & 5.4

References:

1. S. P. Sukahtme. Solar Energy: Principle of Thermal Collection and Storage. Tata McGraw Hill Publishing Co., New Delhi (latest edition)
2. H. P. Garg and J. Prakash. Solar Energy Fundamentals and Applications. Tata McGraw Hill Publishing Co., New Delhi (latest edition)
3. John A. Duffie and W. A. Beckman. Solar Engineering of Thermal Process. John Wiley & Sons. (latest edition)
4. R. C. Fluck and C. D. Baird. Agricultural Energetics. AVI Publishing Co. Inc. Connecticut. (latest edition - Indian/Low Cost Edition Preferred)
5. K. M. Mittal. Biomass Systems: Principle and Applications. New Age International Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi
6. B. T. Nijaguna. Biogas Technology. New Age International Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi
7. W. J. Kennedy Jr. and Wayne C. Turner. Energy Management. Prentice Hall Inc.
8. Journals of American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)
9. FAO Journals on Biomass Combustion Technologies.
10. FAO Journals on Energy Conversion and Renewable Energy for Greenhouse Heating

Practical:

1. Analysis of Solar Energy Application[3 hrs]
2. Study on Solar Collectors and Photovoltaic Energy Conversions[3 hrs]
3. Study on Solar Crop Dryers[2 hrs]
4. Determination of Total Solid and Volatile Solid in Biomass[2 hrs]
5. Determination of Calorific Value of Different Fuels[3 hrs]
6. Study on Working of Gasifier [3 hrs]
7. Study on Anaerobic Bioreactors for Methane Generation[2 hrs]
8. Design of Anaerobic Bioreactors[3hours]
9. Study on Operation of IC Engines on Biogas and Producer Gas[3 hours]
10. Study on Water Lifting System by Windmill[3 hrs]
11. Study on Performance of Micro-Hydroelectric Power Generation[3 hrs]

Visit:

1. One day visit to nearby micro or small hydro power station.
2. One day visit to nearby wind mill or water pumping station.

Evaluation Scheme:
The questions will cover all the chapters in the Syllabus. The evaluation scheme will be as indicated in the table below.