After passing the course, the student should be able to:

• Describe different techniques for extracting or storing geoenergy for heating purposes

• estimate the profitability of different geoenergy plants

• estimate the maximum theoretical solar radiation, and evaluate different types of solar heating systems

• perform simple design calculations of a geothermal heating systems
• perform a feasibility study of a geoenergy  or solar project, and report results in a written report and oral presentation 

This course covers basic knowledge of solar collectors, geoenergy systems and thermal energy storage. Within these areas, technology, dimensioning, and costs are addressed. Topics include: 

• Heat transfer and heat transport: Physical description of conduction, radiation and convection. Heat storage capacity of different materials.

• Solar energy: Active and passive solar energy, solar irradiation on inclined surface.

• Solar thermal applications, calculation examples of flat plate solar collectors, different types of solar collectors

• Geoenergy: Natural heat sources in air, soil and water, overview of heat pumps.

• Snow storage

• Recharging of heat sources.

• Thermal energy storage: Current research. Different techniques. Storage of heat / cold. Short and long term storage. Economy. Calculation examples stock size, energy losses etc.

• Project work: Design of energy storage systems. Definition and division of projects. Choice of system. Collection of technical data and cost data. Optimization of thermal energy storage systems. Reporting. 

The teaching consists of lectures and exercises. The main part of the course consists of a project work, sometimes commissioned by the industry or university. Data labs with the EarthEnergyDesigner (EED) and Polysun softwares are required. The programs are later available as aids in the project work. The project work is documented in writing and presented at a joint seminar.