BIRCHAM INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Engineering & Technology

MODULE: Renewable Energies

Program delivered by distance learning higher education up to a maximum of 36 credits. This module may be combined or completed with other online university courses from this faculty.

DESCRIPTION:

Modern society relies on stable, readily available energy supplies. Renewable energy is an increasingly important component of the new energy mix. The program covers energy conversion, utilization and storage for renewable technologies such as wind, solar, biomass, fuel cells and hybrid systems. Thermodynamics will form the basis for modeling the renewable energy systems. The program also touches upon the environmental consequences of energy conversion and how renewable energy can reduce air pollution and global climate change.

Courses list (each subject accounts for 3 credits):

1 BIU Earned Credit = 1 USA Semester Credit (15 hours of learning) = 2 ECTS Credit (30 hours of study).

Renewable Energy

Thermodynamics

Energy Process Engineering

Academic Supervisor: Higinio Menendez Milanes

More information about this supervisor and online university course instructors at BIU Human Network.

This module is applicable to Specialist, Expert, Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. (Doctor) Programs. This distance learning degree program is designed at the postgraduate level – Master’s or Doctoral. This module may be easily adapted to complete the Specialist, Expert or Bachelor’s adult degree program requirements. A further option is the enrollment into the online university courses listed in this module.

* University Course (3 credits): Select 1 subject from this module.

* Specialist Diploma (15 credits): First 5 subjects or select 5 subjects from this module.

* Expert Diploma (21 credits): First 7 subjects or select 7 subjects from this module.

* Bachelor's Degree (130 credits): The Admission certificate issued after submission of the application for admission will show the amount of credit transferred and validated from previous education and experience, and the amount of credits required to complete this undergraduate program's major. Additional courses from other modules of this faculty will be assigned in case that the credits displayed on this module are not enough to complete the bachelor's required credits.

* Master's Degree (35 credits): Select from 3 to 9 subjects from this module depending on the amount of credits transferred from previous education and experience. Add 13 credits corresponding to a final project to the selected subjects.

* Ph.D. (Doctor) (45 credits): Select from 3 to 9 subjects from this module depending on the amount of credits transferred from previous education and experience. Add 18 credits corresponding to a final thesis to the selected subjects.

BIU issues an admission certificate after receiving your complete application for admission. This document will show the amount of credits transferred and validated from previous education and experience, and the amount of credits required to complete the degree program's major. BIU can not perform this evaluation without the complete application for admission.

Courses Description (each subject accounts for 3 credits):

Renewable Energy

This course reviews the new energy paradigm: local energy resource availability in different countries, the need to reduce CO2 and other gas emissions, implications of global warming and climate change, the political and economic implications of increasing scarcity of conventional oil, and the importance of renewable energy. Finally it explores the principles for sustainable energy development and how can we accomplish it.

Instructor: Luis Fontanet Sallán

Thermodynamics

This course reviews the main principles and laws of thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and fluid dynamics. It introduces the use of entropy and free energy, energy conversions and energy systems, combined heat and power, tri-generation systems (power, heating, cooling), hybrid systems and energy conversion efficiencies. It offers an understanding of the role of chemical thermodynamics in the development and design of energy systems.

Instructor: Ashraf Elsayed Mohamed

Energy Process Engineering

This course explains the concepts and process of energy conversion. It presents power systems structure, components and operation. It deals with the applications of power transmission lines and transformers, energy system representation, load flow, power system protection, symmetrical components, faults and stability.

Instructor: Jose A. Cordova

Energy Distribution Systems

This course deals with overhead and underground energy distribution system descriptions and characteristics, considering load, line and cable models, distribution transformers, power flow and fault analysis, overcurrent protection, power factor correction, and energy distribution system planning and automation.

Instructor: Higinio Menendez Milanes

Fuel Cells

This course reviews the operation of fuel cells and technical applications of a fuel cell in providing electricity and heat. It explores hydrogen as a fuel, energy efficiency, and the utilization of hydrogen and fuel cell technology in transportation, shipping, industrial and residential settings. It studies the involvement of proton exchange membrane, alkaline electrolyte fuel cells, and methanol fuel cells in the conversion of hydrogen fuel to useable forms of energy.

Instructor: Luis Fontanet Sallán

Wind & Tidal Energy

This course deals with the production of electricity from wind power and ocean waves. It provides an analysis of resource assessments and the energy potential of wind and tides, turbine technologies, wind farms, wave and tidal power technologies and power plants, and ocean thermal energy conversion systems.

Instructor: Luis Fontanet Sallán

Biofuels & Bioenergy

This course covers alternative, renewable fuels derived from biological sources and their applications as an energy source for homes, industry and transportation. Wood, urban, and agricultural solid waste are discussed as potential sources of energy conversion. In addition, the production of methane and alcohol based fuels and their roles as a transportation fuel will lead to a re-discovery of opportunities to replace fossil-based fuels. Bio-diesel and vegetable oil topics are necessary to show a true alternate energy source for internal combustion engines.

Instructor: Luis Fontanet Sallán

Solar Energy

This course introduces solar energy utilization in thermal processes and in the production of electricity. It includes solar radiation, seasonal variation, heat transfer, photovoltaic cells (PVs), photovoltaic systems and collectors, and the solar applications for the generation and storage of electricity and heat. It explores the use of solar energy in solar water heating systems, in energy efficient design and construction, in passive solar heating, and the efficient use of electricity.

Instructor: Luis Fontanet Sallán

Alternative Energies

This course explores the usefulness of various types of energies and how to apply engineering in the design of alternative energy systems. It includes passive and active solar systems, fuel cells, hydroelectric power, geothermal heat transfer, and wind energy. It involves in the inventory, evaluation, planning, design, installation, and maintenance of a wide variety of energy producing systems.

Instructor: Luis Fontanet Sallán

Geothermal Energy

This course reviews the main characteristics of geothermal systems, low temperature and high temperature geothermal fields. It provides an overview of the methodology of geothermal exploration and exploitation, geothermal heating systems, geothermal heat pumps, and geothermal power plants. It explores the combination of heat and power systems to achieve maximum energy efficiency and minimum environmental impact.

Instructor: Luis Fontanet Sallán

Climate Change

This course studies the science of climate change, and the latest research and scientific data: new patterns of rainfall, droughts, weather events, and global warming. It also analyses the social changes and adaptations that human communities will have to consider, the political implications of climate change and ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Instructor: Luis Fontanet Sallán

Energy Pollution Control

This course examines energy supply, conventional fuel reserves (coal, oil, natural gas), alternative sources (nuclear, solar, geothermal, etc.) and their corresponding pollution levels, economic and environmental impacts. It presents current methods and technology for energy pollution control and the regulatory standards for environmental protection.

Instructor: Luis Fontanet Sallán

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Professionally recognized and validated degrees.

Accredited (Non USA CHEA). International legalization available.

Non formal and independent education.