UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE

FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

ENGLISH FOR SOFTWARE

ENGINEERING
HOMEWORK NO.1
“RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES”

Supervisor: Dr Miloš Đurić Authors:

Aleksa Bogdanović 2024/0108
Ognjen Antić 2024/0276
Tamara Vasiljević 2024/0290
Aleksa Bjeloglav 2024/0297
Boris Aleksić 2024/0311
Aleksandar Bjelovuk 2024/0384

Belgrade, December 2024

Contents

1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... - 2 -
2. Solar energy .................................................................................................................................... - 2 -
3. Geothermal energy ......................................................................................................................... - 3 -
4. Hydropower .................................................................................................................................... - 4 -
5. Biomass energy ............................................................................................................................. - 10 -

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 1. Introduction

Renewable energy is generated from natural sources, renewable energy sources,

which are constantly replenished. These include sources such as sunlight, wind power, water
movement, geothermal energy, and more. While most renewable energy sources are considered
sustainable, some are not classified as sustainable due to excessive exploitation, such as biomass
energy. On the other hand, there are energy sources that are renewable but have a very long
renewal period, so they do not fall under the category of renewable sources, such as fossil fuels
or nuclear energy.
The advantages of using such energy are evident. Renewable energy sources are
generally available worldwide, which means that certain countries cannot monopolize an energy
source. They are always accessible, ensuring energy security, they pollute the environment less,
and they are relatively affordable.

2. Solar energy
Solar energy, or sunlight energy, is the energy of solar radiation that we observe in the
form of light and heat, which our star showers upon us daily. The Sun is the largest source of
energy on Earth. In addition to direct radiation that warms the Earth's surface and creates
climatic conditions across all zones, this radiation is responsible for the constant renewal of wind
energy, ocean currents, waves, water flows, and the thermal gradient in oceans. It is also one of
the key factors in the energy production process in plants through photosynthesis.
The Sun's temperature is approximately 5,500 degrees Celsius. The Sun "burns" thanks
to the nuclear fusion of chemical elements within it. Nuclear fusion is a process in which two
elements combine into one, along with their nuclei, occurring under high temperatures or
pressure. This process is always accompanied by the release of a significant amount of energy in
the form of heat. Specifically, in the Sun, hydrogen atoms fuse into helium atoms.
Solar energy is actively collected, utilized, and converted into electricity using solar
collectors or photovoltaic cells through the photovoltaic effect.
In recent times, solar energy has gained significant popularity as a renewable energy
source that does not bring the pollution associated with fossil fuels.

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 3. Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is generated by the decay of radioactive elements within the

Earth's interior.
Deep below the Earth's surface, water that comes into contact with hot rocks can turn into
boiling water or steam. However, because it is under high pressure, this water can reach
temperatures exceeding 150°C before turning into steam.
This water can reach the surface and is called a hot spring, and if it erupts under
pressure, it is known as a geyser. This hot water can be used to heat buildings. Iceland is well-
known for utilizing geothermal hot water to heat many of its buildings and swimming pools.
This hot water can also be used to generate electricity by drilling holes into the ground and
inserting pipes into the hot water. The water evaporates within these pipes due to reduced
pressure, and the steam rises to the surface.
A geothermal power plant is similar to any other power plant, except that the
steam is not produced by burning fuel but is drawn from the Earth. The steam is directed to a
steam turbine that drives the rotor of an electric generator. After passing through the turbine,
the steam is condensed and returned to the geothermal source.

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 4. Hydropower

Hydropower is the most important

renewable energy source. It is renewable thanks
to solar energy, which continuously sustains the
hydrological cycle. (The Sun's energy evaporates
water from oceans and rivers, lifting it as water
vapor. When the vapor reaches cooler air in the
atmosphere, it condenses and forms clouds. The
moisture eventually falls back to Earth as rain or
snow, replenishing water in oceans and rivers.)
Data indicates that currently, about one-quarter of the planet's hydropower
potential has been utilized. As the demand for energy grows, this vast natural resource will be
able to be exploited to a greater extent

Of course, the use of water energy has certain limitations, primarily related to the fact
that significant amounts of flowing water are required, ideally throughout the year. Changes in
water levels are addressed by constructing dams and reservoirs.

There are three main types of hydroelectric power plants:

• Run-of-river – These have little or no water storage and directly use the
kinetic energy of water to drive turbines. They are the simplest to construct and have
minimal environmental impact. However, they depend on the current water flow.
• Reservoir-based – These are the most common way of generating
electricity from water energy. They are built by damming a river and stopping its flow with
a dam, which creates a reservoir upstream containing large amounts of water. This water
serves as an energy reserve and can also be used for other purposes, such as irrigation
and fishing.
• Pumped-storage – Similar in structure to reservoir-based plants but
equipped with large pumps that return water to the reservoir during periods of low
electricity demand. During times of increased energy demand, the water is released from
the reservoir to generate electricity.

The largest hydroelectric power plant in the world is the Three Gorges Dam in China,
located on the Yangtze River. It has the world's highest installed capacity of 22,500 MW.

The total hydropower potential in Serbia is estimated at 17,000 gigawatt-hours, of

which approximately 10,000 gigawatt-hours have been utilized. The remaining hydropower
potential is estimated at about 7,000 gigawatt-hours, mainly in the basins of the Morava, Drina,
and Lim rivers, as well as the Danube.

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 Using water energy does not disrupt the natural rhythm, as the utilized water is
returned to nature, making the energy source inexhaustible. Since there is no combustion or
processing of fuels, no harmful gases are emitted.

Hydropower systems are characterized by flexibility, as the water used as an energy

source can be controlled, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy waste. Water energy also has the
advantage of constant availability, as it does not depend on weather conditions.

Benefits of Building Hydroelectric Power Plants:

1. Hydropower is clean, renewable, and reliable – Hydropower plants do not release

harmful gases into the air or water. They do not consume water but merely utilize its
natural flow, making them a completely renewable source of electricity. Unlike solar and
wind energy, which depend on weather conditions, hydroelectric facilities can generate
electricity 24 hours a day, making them a reliable energy source.
2. One of the cheapest forms of energy – Despite high initial investments for constructing
a hydroelectric power plant, once operational, it becomes one of the most affordable
forms of renewable energy because it requires minimal maintenance and can be
modernized to enhance efficiency.
3. Local production – All countries possess some level of hydropower potential. Those with
hydroelectric plants significantly reduce their need to import electricity.
4. Facilitates irrigation – In addition to generating electricity, hydroelectric reservoirs can
be used for irrigating surrounding areas. This is particularly beneficial in regions where
droughts are frequent.

Critiques:

1. Negative impact on the environment – The environmental impact of current

hydroelectric plants is significant. Although the energy produced by these

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 facilities is clean, hydroelectric systems disrupt the natural flow of rivers, which
affects animal migration, degrades water quality, and displaces people and
wildlife.
2. High construction costs – Hydroelectric plants are large and complex facilities
that require the construction of dams, reservoirs, turbines, and other
components, making them among the most financially demanding renewable
energy projects. However, it is important to note that hydroelectric facilities can
provide affordable electricity for up to 100 years and require minimal ongoing
investment.
3. Dependence on hydrological conditions – While electricity production in
hydroelectric plants is more reliable than solar or wind energy, poor hydrological
conditions, such as droughts and reduced rainfall, can lower the efficiency of
hydroelectric facilities.

Geothermal energy

A bit more about geothermal energy is the heat energy of the Earth. The medium that transfers
heat from the Earth's interior to the surface is water or steam. Rainwater penetrates deep into
the Earth, where it heats up and then rises back to the surface in the form of a geyser. Power
plants that use this type of energy can operate for about 95% of any given period.

The use of geothermal energy can be direct or indirect:

• Direct use involves using hot water that emerges or is pumped from the Earth. This hot
water is used for heating houses or greenhouses, for certain industrial processes, and
more. Reykjavik, Iceland, has the largest geothermal heating system, where almost 90%
of households are heated this way.
• Indirect use involves generating electricity. Hot water and steam are used to power
generators, and there is virtually no emission of harmful gases. The advantage of this
method is that these plants can be built in a variety of environments, from farms and
desert areas to forest recreational zones.

For electricity production from geothermal sources, the temperature of the water needs to be at
least 100°C. However, the temperature of geothermal water sources in Serbia usually ranges up
to 40°C. The total thermal power that could be achieved by utilizing thermal water sources in
Serbia is approximately 216 MWt.

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Tidal energy

The origin of this energy is due to the gravitational forces of the Sun and the Moon. Although the
potential of tidal energy is not negligible, there are currently no significant commercial
applications. This type of energy can be used in areas where there is a marked difference
between high and low tides—greater than 10 meters. The working principle is similar to that of
a hydroelectric power plant.

A dam is placed at the entrance of a suitable bay, and when the water level rises, it is
released through a turbine into the bay. Once the bay is filled with water, the dam is closed, and
the water level is allowed to fall before releasing the water outside the bay. Turbines can be
unidirectional, which is simpler, or bidirectional, to take advantage of the water flow in both
directions.

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 4. Wind power
Every 24 hours, the wind produces enough kinetic energy to generate nearly 35 times
more electricity than humanity uses each day. Unlike coal or oil, this resource is completely
replenished every day. So, how can we harness this incredible amount of energy, and is it
possible to create a world powered entirely by wind?
What is wind energy?
The basic principle of wind energy is simple. A series of sails or blades positioned
around a rotor capture the wind and transform its kinetic energy into rotational energy.
Traditional windmills use this rotational energy for grinding grain or pumping water. However,
in modern wind turbines, this energy spins a generator and creates electricity. This conversion
of wind energy into rotation and then into electricity has defined windmills since their invention
in the late 19th century; and there are three primary factors that determine how much energy
they can produce:
1. The size and orientation of the blades
2. The aerodynamic design of the blades
3. The amount of wind that spins the rotor
Blade orientation
Windmills can be designed with their rotor on a vertical axis or on a horizontal axis. Vertical
blades can capture wind from all directions, but with much lower efficiency than rotors on a
horizontal axis. Horizontal designs allow blades to capture the full power of the wind by
tracking the wind direction and turning toward it. Today, wind sensors and computer systems
automatically adjust the blades with great precision to capture as much wind energy as
possible.

Blade design
In addition to rotor position, the blades themselves must
be well-designed for maximum efficiency. Nowadays,
curved blades are used, similar to the wings of an
airplane. The wind moves faster over the curved surface,
creating a low-pressure area above the blade that
causes it to lift. Since the lifting force depends on the
angle at which the wind moves relative to the blade,
modern blades also include the ability to rotate,
optimizing how much of the blade cuts through the
wind. Made from layers of fiberglass and resin, these
blades are strong enough to operate in rain,
thunderstorms, and blazing sunlight for over 20 years.
Wind Turbine Size
Even with a horizontal rotor and aerodynamic
blades, a wind turbine can only collect wind if it's in a
windy area. Wind speed typically increases the higher up in the atmosphere you go, which is
why most modern turbines now exceed heights of over 100 meters, with equally large rotor
diameters. A windy farm with 200 turbines of similar size would generate enough energy to

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power 150 American homes or double that number of European homes for an entire year.
Offshore wind farms contain even larger turbines, with significantly greater capacity.
In 2019, the largest wind turbine ever built began operations off the coast of the
Netherlands. With a rotor diameter of 220 meters, just one such turbine can meet the annual
energy needs of 16,000 European households.
Challenges
Despite the incredible potential, wind energy still faces challenges. Wind might be
free and unlimited fuel, but no matter how large or efficient the turbine is, there’s a
mathematical limit to how much wind it can convert into electrical energy. German physicist
Albert Betz calculated that since some wind must remain for the blades to keep turning, a
turbine can capture no more than 59.3% of the wind's energy. Additionally, some people
believe wind turbines ruin natural landscapes, and the intermittent nature of wind energy can
complicate its integration into electrical grids.
However, even with these issues, modern wind turbines have made wind energy one
of the most efficient and effective sources of electrical power. Wind turbines already supply
substantial amounts of energy to communities worldwide, and for many farmers, owning a
modern wind turbine can be a reliable source of extra income. With continued advancements
in wind forecasting, electrical grid infrastructure, and energy storage, wind energy could blow
away all of our energy problems.

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 5. Biomass energy

Biomass is a renewable energy source that is constantly available in ecosystems. It

refers to living or recently living matter, of plant or animal origin, that can be used as fuel or for
industrial production. It is most commonly used directly for final energy consumption, such as
heating, cooking, or heating water, but it can also be used for electricity and heat generation,
and has recently been increasingly used for biofuel production. It can also be used in industry for
producing fibers and chemicals. Biomass can be divided into wood, non-wood, and animal waste.

The biggest advantage of biomass is that it does not have a significant negative impact
on the environment, as burning it does not release excess CO2 into the atmosphere. Biomass
uses CO2 for its growth and development, which it releases during combustion, meaning no
additional carbon dioxide is created in the atmosphere. However, this does not mean that
biomass does not have negative effects on nature. Its use can contribute to global warming if the
natural balance is disturbed by excessive deforestation and insufficient planting of new trees.

The processes of converting biomass into usable energy are: thermal conversion,
chemical conversion, and biochemical conversion.

Biofuels are fuels obtained by processing biomass. In recent years, the production and
consumption of biofuels have been growing. They are far more environmentally friendly than
fossil fuels, but their production is still more expensive. The largest production is in Brazil, from
sugarcane, and in the USA, from corn. The main biofuels are bioethanol (an alternative to
gasoline) and biodiesel (an alternative to diesel).

The most important role of biomass is that it could completely replace gasoline and
regular diesel in the future, which have a negative impact on our environment.

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