Physics of Energy Conversion

A profound understanding of the physical laws underlying energy converters is a prerequisite for a sustainable use of our energy resources.
The aim of this textbook is to provide a unified view on the different energy conversion processes ranging from power plants to solar cells. It offers an interdisciplinary introduction to energy sciences for senior undergraduate and graduate students from natural sciences and engineering. The central theme is the treatment of energy converters as open thermodynamical systems and the performance of efficiency analyses, based on the concept of exergy.

• Presents the physics behind the most important energy converters in a unified framework.
• Evaluates the performance of ideal and realistic energy converters in terms of energy and exergy efficiencies
• Provides basic concepts needed for a discussion of energy converters, such as chemical and applied thermodynamics, electrochemistry and solid state physics. About the Authors

Katharina Krischer

is a professor of physics at the Technische Universität München, Germany. She has taught lectures on energy sciences for undergraduate and graduate students for more than 10 years. Her research topics include the photo-electrochemical production of solar fuels.

Konrad Schönleber

is a researcher in the group of Prof. Krischer which he joined after graduating in physics from the Technische Universität München. His research interest focuses on light-driven semiconductor electrochemistry and its application for renewable energies.

Contenu

1 Introduction
1.1 Terms and definitions
1.2 Exemplary energy consumption
1.3 Forms of energy

2 Exergy
2.1 Conversion efficiencies
2.2 Physical properties
2.3 Exergy
2.4 Heat pumps

3 Open systems
3.1 Thermodynamic properties
3.2 Exergy of open systems
3.3 Important example components

4 Thermal power plants
4.1 Ideal steam power plants
4.2 Efficiency of a realistic steam power plant
4.3 Modifications in a real power plant
4.4 Ideal gas-fired power plants
4.5 Efficiency of a realistic gas-fired power plant
4.6 Modifications in real gas-fired power plants

5 Chemical Exergy
5.1 Basic concepts
5.2 The driving force of a chemical reaction
5.3 The exergy of fuels

6 Electrochemical energy conversion
6.1 Electrochemistry

6.2 Fuel cells
6.3 Non-rechargeable batteries

7 Solar energy conversion
7.1 Properties of the solar irradiation
7.2 Solarthermal energy conversion
7.3 Concentrating devices
7.4 Photovoltaics

8 Exergy Storage
8.1 Mechanical storage
8.2 Electrochemical storage 9 Final Notes
A Basics: Thermodynamics
A.1 Laws of thermodynamics
A.2 Thermodynamic potentials
A.3 Ideal gases
A.4 The Carnot cycle
A.5 Phase transitions

B Basics: Solid state physics
B.1 Particle ensembles
B.2 Semiconductors