Wollo University, Kombolcha institute of technology

Department of electrical and computer engineering

Course Title & Number: Energy Conversion and Rural Electrification (ECEg4241)

Credits/ECTS: 3/6

Instructor: Tadesse Y. Contact Hours (per week): 2 Lectures & 3 tutorials

Pre-requisites: Engineering Thermodynamics Status of Course: Compulsory

Degree Program: BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Year and semester: IV, I

Course Description

This course includes the overview of thermodynamics, Thermal power plants, overview of
Hydropower plants, Nuclear power plants, Solar energy, Biomass energy, Wind energy, Geothermal
energy, Ocean and Wave energy and Rural electrification

Course Objectives

- To introduce technologies of conventional and non-conventional power plants.

- To provide an overview of renewable energy resources and technologies.
- To give an insight into planning and design of small scale and off-grid electrical power systems.
- To introduce techniques and methods of planning and designing rural electrification.

Course Contents
Chapter one: Overview of Thermodynamics

First and second laws of thermodynamics and Carnot cycle [1 week]

Chapter two: Thermal power plants

Steam cycle; Fuels and combustion; Gas turbines, combined cycles and Operating practices [1 week]

Chapter three: Hydropower

Basic concepts; Site selection; Types of turbines; Small- scale hydropower design; Flow rate
measurement [1 week]

Chapter four: Nuclear power plants

Nuclear Fuel, Fission, Fusion; Radioactive decay; power plans [1 week]

Chapter five: Solar energy

Introduction; Solar radiation; Solar Collectors; Solar cells and PV systems; Applications of
Solar Energy. [1 week]

Chapter six: Biomass energy

Introduction Biomass energy; Biomass conversion and Direct combustion applications [1 week]

Chapter seven: Wind energy

Basic theory of wind energy; Types of turbines; Wind resource Analysis and Applications [1 week]

Chapter eight: Geothermal energy

Introduction; Geothermal resource types applications or heating; Electricity generation [1 week]

Chapter nine: Ocean and Wave energy

Potential assessment, characteristics and technologies [1 week]

Chapter ten: Rural electrification in Ethiopia (project work)

Evaluation & Grading System

Continuous assessment: quizzes, tests, assignments, home exams……..50%

Final exam: at most 50%

Attendance Requirements: A student must attend at least 85 % of the classes.

References

[1] Culp: Principles of Energy Conversion

[2].Keider: Solar Heating and Cooling
[3] Fritz: Small and Mini Hydropower System
[4] Renewable Energy, Power for Sustainable future by Godfrey. Boyel