Course detail
Construction of Energy Facilities
FSI-FST Acad. year: 2027/2028 Summer semester
The course builds on knowledge acquired in the courses Thermomechanics, Fundamentals of Energy Engineering and Thermal Machines. It focuses on the conceptual design of energy facilities, particularly power plants, combined heat and power plants, and heat-only plants, and their integration into the electricity grid and district heating systems. The course covers heat demand assessment, sizing of energy sources, and the design of basic district heating plant configurations, including thermal energy storage options. Computer tools for mathematical modelling and simulation of hydraulic and thermal processes are used in the tutorials, including the development and evaluation of a district heating system model.
Language of instruction
Czech
Number of ECTS credits
5
Supervisor
Department
Entry knowledge
Basic knowledge of thermomechanics and energy engineering is expected, particularly the thermodynamic properties of working fluids, thermodynamic cycles, heat transfer and the laws of conservation of mass and energy. Basic understanding of the operating principles of thermal machines and energy equipment, including their applications in electricity and heat generation, is also expected.
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
Credit: Tutorials are primarily based on independent study supported by instructional videos, with opportunities for consultations during scheduled classes or by arrangement with the lecturer. The first tutorial is held in person. Credit is awarded upon completion of all assigned individual tasks within the specified deadlines. Students' ability to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired to modelling, simulation and the assigned tasks is assessed throughout the semester.
Examination: Obtaining credit is a prerequisite for taking the examination. The examination consists of written and oral parts. The written part assesses theoretical knowledge and the ability to solve calculation problems related to energy equipment and district heating systems. The oral part takes the form of a discussion on an assigned topic and assesses students' understanding of the subject matter and their ability to apply the knowledge acquired.
The final course grade is determined according to the ECTS grading scale in compliance with the BUT Study and Examination Regulations.
Aims
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe the basic structure of the energy sector in the Czech Republic, the main types of energy sources and their integration into the electricity grid and district heating systems.
- Explain the operating principles and technological arrangements of power plants, combined heat and power plants, and heat-only plants, including basic options for combined heat and power generation.
- Determine basic heat demand and propose a conceptual design of an energy source based on consumption characteristics and annual heat load duration curves.
- Describe the operating principles of district heating systems, including thermal energy storage options and basic requirements for their sizing.
- Develop simple mathematical models of hydraulic and thermal processes using computer simulation tools.
- Develop and evaluate a basic simulation model of a district heating system and assess selected operating parameters and its operational efficiency.
The study programmes with the given course
Programme B-ENE-P: Energy, Bachelor's, compulsory
Type of course unit
Lecture
26 hours, optionally
Syllabus
1. Electricity generation sources in the Czech Republic and their contribution to meeting electricity demand.
2. – 3. Main components of the steam power plant thermodynamic cycle.
4. – 5. District heating systems and classification of heat sources for district heating networks.
6. Heat losses from buildings.
7. – 8. Heat demand and annual heat load duration curves.
9. Sizing of district heating sources.
10. – 12. Basic district heating plant configurations.
13. District heating systems and thermal energy storage.
Computer-assisted exercise
26 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
1. Introduction – Programming environment OpenModelica, installation
2. OpenModelica – declarative programming, syntax basics, first model
3. Hydraulics – simplified equations of fluid motion in pipe element, the conservation laws
4. Hydraulics – pressure losses, Darcy-Weisbach friction factor, implementation
5. Hydraulics – branched system model, pump characteristics, volume compensation
6. Thermal processes – mathematical model of heat transfer between wall and fluid
7. Thermal processes – mathematical model of heat conduction in solid wall
8. Thermal processes – axial advection of thermal front along pipe element
9. Thermal processes – complex model of pipe element, consumer, supplier
10. District heating systems – mathematical model of small district heating system
11. – 12. District heating systems – evaluation of operational efficiency
13. Grading