Course

ME-460: Renewable energy (for ME)

Summary

The students assess and compare all renewable energy resources, their real potentials, limitations and best applications (energy services). Solar thermal, solar electric, wood, bioliquids, biogas, hydropower incl. tidal and wave power, wind, geothermal incl. heat pumps and buildings.

Lectures

Instructor

Jan Van Herle

Born in Antwerp, Belgium. In Switzerland since 1983. Became Swiss citizen in 2004 out of conviction of principles of democracy and bottom-up participation. No double nationality. Village Council Member for 2 five-year mandates in 2006-2016. 1987 : Chemist from Basel University (CH). 1988 : Post-graduate IT diploma from Basel Engineering School. 1989 : Industry internship ABB Baden (CH). 1990-1993 : PhD Thesis EPFL, on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell cathode reaction mechanisms. 1994-1995 : Japanese Postdoctoral Fellowship in Tsukuba, Japan, on ceramic powders. 1995-2000 : Researcher at EPFL, Dpt. Chemistry : project responsible in PPM2 (materials), FP4-BriteEuram, NEDO (Japan), Swiss Gas Union (CH, oxygen membranes). 1998-2000 : Masters in Energy Technology, EPFL. 2000 : Cofounder of HTceramix SA (EPFL spin-off), now based in Yverdon (14 employees). Taken over by SOLIDpower in 2007, now 250 employees with 70 MCHF raised. 2000 : 1st Assistant and lecturer at LENI (STI-IGM) : fuel cell group responsible, projects on biogas (Federal Energy Office), woodgas (CCEM), fuel cell stacking (CTI, FP6, FNS), ceramic separation membranes (COST, FNS), microtubes (STI Seed), stability/lifetime/reliability in fuel cells (Electricité de France, swisselectric research). Currently 4 Ph D theses ongoing, 14 theses concluded, of which 5 colateral with SB and IMX. M.E.R. since Nov 2008. Total funding raised so far >18 MCHF (50% as main applicant; 30% outside CH; 20% industry). Scientific output : >135 peer-reviewed publications, >120 conference papers, 40 invited presentations (8 keynotes), >70 granted proposals. Fluent in 5 languages (Dutch, French, German ( Swiss-german), English, Spanish).

Official source

Moodle Page

http://go.epfl.ch/ME-460

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Summary

Lectures

Instructor

Jan Van Herle

Official source

Moodle Page

http://go.epfl.ch/ME-460

Lectures in this course (9)

Renewable Energy: Introduction Log in to Mediaspace to watch this video

Covers the basics of renewable energy, including its potential, technologies, and importance for a sustainable energy future.

Thermodynamics: Basics and Power Cycles Log in to Mediaspace to watch this video

Covers the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics and their application to power cycles.

Geothermal Energy: Power Generation and Applications Log in to Mediaspace to watch this video

Explores geothermal power generation, efficiency evolution, concentrated solar power, and refrigeration systems.

Solar Thermal: Potential and Applications Log in to Mediaspace to watch this video

Explores the potential and applications of solar thermal energy for residential, industrial, and power generation purposes.

Solar PV: Efficiency and Technologies Log in to Mediaspace to watch this video

Explores the efficiency and technologies of solar photovoltaics, covering working principles, temperature effects, material choices, and market technologies.

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