This course introduces thermal power technologies and related knowledge of thermodynamics and hydrodynamics as the basis of these technologies. Emphasis is placed on principles, structures, roles and technical development status of the electric power equipment. Scientific basis of energy/environmental problems is also discussed. In addition, hydraulic power, nuclear power, alternative energies, transmission/transformation facilities and energy transformation/storage technologies are explained.
Upon completing this course, students will be able to:
1) Understand basic principles of generation, transmission and transformation of electricity, and explain key technologies of planning, design and operation of thermal, hydraulic and nuclear power plants.
2) Understand various related scientific fields, ranging from the basics of hydrodynamics, thermodynamics, combustion theory, electrochemistry and nuclear reactions to application to environmental problems.
3) Explain the present status and future prospects of the technical development in electric power industry.
Thermal power generation, hydraulic power generation, nuclear power generation, transmission and transformation of electricity, thermodynamic cycle, hydrodynamics, environmental conservation, energy conservation, alternative energies
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
A quiz is given at the end of every class, except for class 15.
Class 15 is held as a study tour to a thermal power plant in Tokyo bay area. The meeting place and time will be announced in advance.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Features of electric energy | Explain features of electric energy, and the conversion of energy resources to electric energy. |
Class 2 | Basics of thermal power generation | Explain principles of thermal power generation, basics of its related thermodynamics issues, and basics of thermodynamic cycles. |
Class 3 | Basics of thermodynamic cycle 1 | Explain principles of thermodynamic cycles such as steam cycle, reheat cycle and regenerative cycle. |
Class 4 | Basics of thermodynamic cycle 2 | Explain principles of gas turbines and combined cycles. |
Class 5 | Basics of combustion | Conduct calculations on combustion and mass balance. |
Class 6 | Basics of heat transfer | Conduct heat transfer calculation, and explain principles of heat exchangers. |
Class 7 | Basics of hydroelectric power | Explain principle of hydroelectric power, basic concept of fluid dynamics, and characteristics of water wheels. |
Class 8 | Overview of electric-power transmission/transformation technology | Explain technologies for transmission/transformation and distribution of electric energy. |
Class 9 | Environmental technologies 1 | Explain environmental conservation technologies and measures against global warming in thermal power generation. |
Class 10 | Environmental technologies 2 | Explain environmental technologies in nuclear power plants and transmission/transformation facilities. |
Class 11 | Energy conservation technologies | Explain energy conservation technologies in large-scale power generation systems, improvement of power generation efficiency, and reduction of transmission losses. |
Class 12 | Alternative energies | Explain the definition and characteristics of alternative energies, and principles of solar power and wind power. |
Class 13 | Recent technologies | Explain principles and development status of energy conversion technologies for power plants in the neighbor of high demand areas. |
Class 14 | Overview of electric energy systems | Explain the energy balance and the system configuration of power plants. |
Class 15 | Study tour of a power plant | Explain the system configuration of an actual thermal power plant. |
None required.
Course materials are provided during class.
Reference books:
[1] M. Sakurai, "Fundamentals of Energy Engineering", Surikogakusha, ISBN-13: 978-4-9016-8304-3 (2002) (in Japanese).
[2] Y. Sekine and T. Horigome, "introduction to Energy Engineering", The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, ISBN-13: 978-4-8868-6125-2 (1980) (in Japanese).
Assessment is based on a final exam (weight 70%) and quizzes at the end of the sessions (weight 30%).
Electric Power Engineering I, Electric Power Engineering II