C5 - "Phase change materials and Photovoltaic/Thermal modules"

The fifth SolNet PhD course on
"Phase change materials and Photovoltaic/Thermal modules"
was held on 29 Sep. - 03 Oct. 2008
in Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain

General information

The course covered two topics, Phase Change Materials (PCM) and PhotoVoltaic-Thermal Modules (PV/T).

All SOLNET PhD students were expected to participate in this course. Other applicants were given the possibility to participate within the maximum limit of 30 course-participants.

The course consisted of approximately 100 hours in total 3 ECTS points. Diplomas were issued on active participation in the entire course.

The course was free of tuition. The students were responsible for travel, meals and accommodation costs.mmodation costs.tely 120 hours in total 4 ECTS points

Course description

The course covered two topics, Phase Change Materials (PCM) and PhotoVoltaic-Thermal Modules (PV/T). Both topics have promising applications and the interest in these new materials and technologies is increasing, rapidly. Research activities have been carried out in both fields during the last 20 years. Nevertheless, there are only few products available on the market, today.

Applications of PCM include thermal energy storages, glass and green houses, food packaging, thermal management of batteries, etc. Heat storage is regarded as a major issue for the further development of solar thermal technology in order to reach high solar fractions in large-scale solar heating systems. The aims of using PCM in solar stores are to increase storage capacity and to decrease thermal losses compared to sensible heat stores.

The heart of a PV/T solar system is a module of photovoltaic cells combined with a solar thermal collector, forming one device that converts solar radiation into electricity and heat, simultaneously. Hot water storage tanks, heat exchangers, piping, controllers, inverters, wiring and heat pumps can also form part of a PV/T solar system.

A wide variety of PV/T technologies were covered in the course: PV/T systems combining crystalline or amorphous silicon or thin-film PV with liquid or air collectors, flat-plate or concentrating technologies with or without transparent cover, as well as building integration aspects.

Downloads

080529_solnet_course_-university_of_lleida.pdf

Course schedule

This course was organized by the University of Lleida and comprised the following:

15th Sep.-26th Sep.	Preparation at home universities
29th Sep. - 3rd Oct.	Course at the University of Lleida

Seminar on PCMs

	Morning	Afternoon
Monday, 29th Sep.	PCM basics	Thermophysical properties. Experimental techniques
Tuesday, 30th Sep.	Stability and encapsulation	Numerical simulation
Wednesday, 1st Oct.	PCMs applications	PCMs applications

Seminar on PV/Ts

	Morning	Afternoon
Thursday, 2nd Oct.	PV/T basics	PV ventilated facades
Friday, 3rd Oct.	Concentrating PV/T systems	PV/T systems sizing

The course consisted of approximately 100 hours in total 3 ECTS points. Diplomas were issued on active participation in the entire course.

All SOLNET PhD students were expected to participate in this course. Other applicants were given the possibility to participate within the maximum limit of 30 course-participants.

The course was free of tuition. The students will be responsible for travel, meals and accommodation costs.

In the first part of the course, the students received an assignment about a Phase Change Material or a Photovoltaic-Thermal systems application. They received detailed information about the application assigned and the tasks to develop it before mid September. The conclusions were presented during the second part of the course at the University of Lleida.