The subject addresses from a practical approach the study of facilities for generating electricity through the use of solar thermal energy. Specifically, the following competences will be worked on:



- The graduate will be able to describe the renewable energy sources (wind, photovoltaic, hydraulic, geothermal and solar thermal, biomass and marine), the basic principles of operation, and their associated technologies



- The graduate will be able to apply the strategies of the scientific methodology: analyze the qualitative and quantitative problem situation, to raise hypotheses and solutions using the models of the renewable energy engineering



- The graduate/or will be able to work effectively as a team in a constructive way, integrating capacities and knowledge to adopt decisions



- The graduate will be able to acquire new knowledge and skills to carry out continuous training, as well as to undertake subsequent studies, with a high degree of autonomy



- The graduation/or develop a favorable attitude towards energy savings, so that they can remember and assess whether the installation analyzed is efficient enough in the face of the standards of thermosolar technology

Chapter 1 Introduction to Concentrating Solar Power plants

Chapter 2 Fundamentals of thermodynamic power cicles applied to Concentrating Solar Power plants

Chapter 3 Funddamentals of thermal radiation applied to Concentrating Solar Power plants

Chapter 4 Parabolic-Trough Concentrating Solar Power plants

Chapter 5 Thermal Energy Storage and hibdirization

Chapter 6 Central Receiver Concentrating Solar Power plants

Chapter 7 Stirling Dish Concentrating Solar Power plants

M (Master class): Master classes will be based on the presentation of the theoretical concepts needed for the design and tecno-economic analysis of CSP plants



S (Seminar): Seminars will cover specific issues relevant to CSP plants, i.e., renewable energy markets and sustainability of CSP plants.



GA (Class practice): Class practices will cover practical exercises dealing with relevant issues regarding CSP plants, as well as the execution the team projects.



GO (Computer Practice): Computer practices will cover the use of the System Advisor Model (SAM) software for the techno-economic evaluation of CSP plants.

Written exam: A final theoretica exercise will be made. The total percentage of this examen in the final mark will be of 40%. To pass the subject, the mark of this exam should be at least of 3.5. It this mark is not reached, the mark of the team works wont be added to the obtained mark.



Team works: Throughout the course, in the class and computer practices, the students will execute the team works on the design of a parabolic-trough CSP plant. The teams will be of 2-4 students each. The total percentage of this work in the final mark will be of 60%.



FINAL MARK: WRITTEN EXAM (40%) + TEAM WORK (60%)

There is not material for mandatory use. Throughout the course, the teacher will upload to the eGela platform all the required material, including presentations as well as the rest of material that could be required by the subject.

Basic bibliography

* K. Lovegrove, W. Stein, Concentrating solar power technology: Principles, developments and applications.



* U.S. Department of Energy. Concentrating Solar Power: Energy from Mirrors.



* World Bank Studies. Concentrating Solar Power in Developing Countries: Regulatory and Financial Incentives for Scaling Up.

In-depth bibliography

* U.S. Department of Energy. Concentrating Solar Power: Energy from Mirrors.

* World Bank Studies. Concentrating Solar Power in Developing Countries: Regulatory and Financial Incentives for Scaling Up.