Unit ENERGETICS

Code	A003431
CFU	6
Teacher	Federico Rossi
Teachers	Federico Rossi
Hours	48 ore - Federico Rossi
Learning activities	Affine/integrativa
Area	Attività formative affini o integrative
Sector	IIND-07/B
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)

Code	A003432
CFU	6
Teacher	Beatrice Castellani
Teachers	Beatrice Castellani
Hours	48 ore - Beatrice Castellani
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Ingegneria meccanica
Sector	IIND-07/A
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian. Slides by the lecturer both in Italian and English. Scientific paper in english.
Contents	The course provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the main aspects of energy engineering, with particular reference to energy storage integrated with renewable energy sources and to solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of energy systems. Starting from an analysis of the global, European, and national energy scenarios, the course examines the main challenges and opportunities associated with the energy transition, highlighting the growing role of storage technologies in ensuring flexibility and sustainability of energy systems. Part of the course is devoted to the study of energy gas storage and its role in the transition toward low-carbon energy systems. The natural gas value chain and its production, transportation, and storage infrastructures are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to unconventional reservoirs and future perspectives related to possible pathways for natural gas production with a reduced carbon footprint. The course also explores innovative technologies for permanent CO2 storage, with particular emphasis on gas hydrates, and discusses the role of hydrogen as an energy carrier for the decarbonization of the energy sector, but above all as a key reactant for the production of synthetic fuels. The course then examines the main thermal energy storage technologies, illustrating their physical principles, engineering configurations, and applications in modern energy systems. Sensible heat, latent heat, and thermochemical storage systems are analyzed, highlighting their potential to improve energy efficiency and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources. Different electrical energy storage technologies are subsequently addressed, with emphasis on their strategic role in power system management and the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources. The main storage families, including mechanical, electrochemical, and chemical storage technologies, are presented and compared in terms of operating principles, performance, advantages, limitations, and application fields. Special attention is devoted to the Power-to-X value chain and the production and utilization of e-fuels. Renewable energy sources provide the application framework within which storage requirements are evaluated. The course describes the characteristics of the main renewable resources, with particular reference to solar, wind, and geothermal energy, analyzing their contribution to the energy mix and the technological innovations supporting their wider deployment. Finally, the course introduces the concepts of energy communities and distributed energy management, highlighting the central role of energy storage systems in promoting self-consumption, enhancing grid flexibility, and enabling the active participation of users in emerging sustainable energy models.
Reference texts	Teaching materials edited by the lecturer. Scientific articles suggested by the lecturer
Educational objectives	The course provides an integrated overview of modern energy systems, with particular emphasis on the role of renewable energy sources, energy gases, and energy storage technologies in the energy transition and decarbonization process. It introduces students to the main global, European, and national energy scenarios, providing the tools needed to understand the challenges related to energy security, environmental sustainability, and the integration of renewable energy sources into energy systems. The main objective of the course is to provide the theoretical and practical knowledge required to analyze different options for energy production, conversion, transportation, and storage, with particular attention to energy storage systems and their role in renewable energy integration and greenhouse gas emission reduction. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to understand the operating principles, performance, and application fields of the main renewable energy and energy storage technologies, and to critically evaluate their advantages, limitations, and potential within the framework of the energy transition. The course also contributes to the development of the ability to analyze complex energy-related problems, formulate techno-economic assessments based on data and models, and effectively communicate conclusions and recommendations. Finally, students will acquire the methodological tools necessary to independently deepen their knowledge of energy-related topics and continuously update their competencies throughout their professional careers.
Prerequisites	Not required
Teaching methods	The course is organized with lectures on all topics of the course.
Learning verification modality	Oral test
Extended program	Introduction and Energy Scenario Basic concepts of energy engineering. Global, European, and national energy scenarios. Energy security, energy transition, and decarbonization. Energy Gas Storage and Decarbonization Natural gas: global outlook, role in the energy system, and future perspectives. Conventional and unconventional reservoirs. Natural gas hydrates and their potential as both an energy resource and a storage medium. Natural gas transportation methods: compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and transport through gas hydrates. LNG value chain: liquefaction, transportation, storage, and regasification. Technologies for permanent CO2 storage, with particular emphasis on gas hydrates, and comparison with the main geological sequestration options. Hydrogen as an energy carrier and as a reactant for the production of synthetic fuels. Hydrogen production through steam reforming and electrolysis. Hydrogen storage technologies. Thermal Energy Storage Systems Definitions and classification of thermal energy storage systems. Principles of sensible, latent, and thermochemical energy storage. Sensible heat storage systems: water, gravel, cavern, aquifer (Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage – ATES), and packed-bed storage systems. Latent heat storage systems based on Phase Change Materials (PCMs): hydrated salts, paraffins, fatty acids, and hydrate clathrates. Thermochemical energy storage systems. Cold thermal energy storage. Applications of PCMs in energy systems, buildings, and thermal engineering. Electrical Energy Storage Systems Definitions, classification, and performance indicators of energy storage systems. Integration with renewable energy sources and grid services. Techno-economic indicators and definition of the Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS). Mechanical energy storage: Pumped Hydroelectric Storage (PHS), Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES), Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES), and flywheels. Operating principles, technical characteristics, and plant configurations. Chemical energy storage: synthetic fuels, e-fuels, and thermochemical energy conversion processes. Power-to-Gas and Power-to-X pathways. Production of synthetic methane, ammonia, and methanol. Electrochemical energy storage: fundamentals of electrochemistry, electrochemical cell performance, and main battery technologies. Lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride, lithium-ion, sodium–nickel chloride (ZEBRA), flow batteries, and emerging battery technologies. Renewable Energy Sources Photovoltaics. Wind energy. Geothermal energy. Energy Communities and Distributed Energy Systems Renewable Energy Communities. Individual and collective self-consumption. Integration of distributed generation, energy storage systems, and smart energy management. The role of energy communities in decarbonization, grid flexibility, and the valorization of renewable energy sources.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	7,11,13