Getting higher spending less – Eco-efficiency in urban areas

General description

Do words like polygeneration, global warming, eco-efficiency, district heating and so on sound mysterious to you? Or perhaps you want to know more about energy saving, low energy buildings and environmental impact in urban areas? In any case, this is the right place to apply for! In fact, in this course the students will be provided with an overview on updated eco-efficient technologies and energy saving techniques in an urban environment from both the generation and the utilization standpoints.

Moreover, if this is not enough yet to motivate you... well...

Welcome to Torino, the city of inspiration, the first capital of Italy, the city where the Baroque joints the Art Nouveau, the city of lovers, the city of "passion lives here”, the Olympic host city, the Italian capital of food, wine and chocolate, the city of Martini and Nutella, the city of Wolves and IMBUTO, the city of LBG Torino, the city of our well renowned parties…

Yep folks, because... we gonna go tram-crawling, boat-crawling, aperitif-crawling, toga-crawling, pub-crawling, pimp-n-slut-crawling, martini-crawling, cantus-crawling, coffin-crawling, Carlo Martello-crawling, gorilla-crawling, Bukowski-crawling, crawl-crawling and last but not least you’ll never forget our nutella-based massage party!!!

Fasten your seat belts tight, we gonna fly higher than you could ever think of!

Academic information

Content and topics:
- Introduction to distributed generation - Introduction to energy and environmental issues: sustainability of the energy sector - Small-scale cogeneration systems (Microturbine, MT, and Internal Combustion Engine, ICE) and district heating networks - Trigeneration systems (cogeneration prime movers coupled to absorption chillers) and district cooling networks - Cogeneration and trigeneration from bio-masses - Environmental impact due to distributed energy systems: greenhouse gases and global warming, criteria air pollutants and local impact - Solar technologies for building applications: photo-voltaic systems for local electricity generation; photo-thermal systems for heat generation - Low-energy and eco-efficient buildings: high-tech materials and high-efficiency ventilation system design and management - Technical Visits: - Visit to a block of houses in Torino with district heating, trigeneration and photovoltaic systems - Visit to a MT-based cogeneration plant for a swimming pool application - Visit to a small-scale ICE-based district heating and district cooling system - Practical work: analysis of a case study application, final project object of the evaluation
Learning goals and objectives:
The course is aimed at providing the students with an overview on some breakthrough eco-efficient technologies and energy saving techniques in a urban environment from both the generation and the utilization standpoints. The main generation technologies analysed will be small-scale cogeneration prime movers for distributed generation and district heating applications (in particular, internal combustion engines and microturbines). In addition, classical trigeneration with absorption chillers and district cooling applications will also be presented. Moreover, the possibility of integrating all these generation technologies with thermal and electrical production from solar energy will be discussed. From the utilization standpoint, designing techniques for energy-efficient and eco-efficient buildings will be dealt with. In particular, the focus will be on special materials and building techniques for indoor energy optimization, as well as modern ventilation design approaches and management procedures. The outlook on the technologies and applications presented will be completed through real case studies and visits to different urban sites object of energy rational use applications.
Examination type:
Project and practical work. Group seminar and presentation.
ECTS credits issued:
Not known yet

Information for applicants

Selection criteria:
Motivation Letter. Interest in topic.

Practical arrangements

All of the following are covered by the event fee:

Lodging:
Hostel.
Meals:
Restaurant and University Canteen.
Transportation:
Public and private transportation.