Energy Academy
Level 2: System Deep Dives/Renewable Energy
Level 218 lessons · 178 min

Renewable Energy

Solar PV, solar thermal, wind, heat pumps and biomass — sizing, integration and on-site generation.

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01Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

  1. ▶How Solar PV WorksPhotons, silicon, cells, modules, string inverters; efficiency limits.11 min
  2. ▶Sizing a PV SystemAvailable roof area, orientation, shading, kWp rating, annual yield.10 min
  3. ▶Grid Interconnection & Battery StorageGrid-tied inverters, export metering, batteries for off-grid or resilience.10 min
  4. ▶PV Economics & PaybackCost per Wp, FiT/export income, payback period, 25-year lifetime value.10 min
  5. ▶Solar PV CheckQuiz on PV fundamentals, sizing, integration, and economics.5 min

02Solar Thermal, Wind & Heat Pumps

  1. ▶Solar Thermal (Hot Water Heating)Flat-plate collectors, evacuated tubes, COP, seasonal variation, DHW tanks.10 min
  2. ▶Wind Turbines (Small-Scale)Wind potential, turbine types, noise, visual impact, planning constraints.10 min
  3. ▶Heat Pumps as Renewable (COP as Leverage)How heat pumps use renewable electricity more efficiently than direct heat.9 min
  4. ▶Solar Thermal & Wind CheckQuiz on solar thermal, wind, and heat pump performance.5 min

03Biomass & System Integration

  1. ▶Biomass Boilers & HeatingWood chips, pellets, carbon neutrality, supply chain, efficiency.10 min
  2. ▶Hybrid Systems (Fossil + Renewable)Boiler + heat pump, PV + grid, diversity for resilience.10 min
  3. ▶Local Generation & MicrogridsPeer-to-peer export, virtual power plants, community solar.9 min
  4. ▶Biomass & Integration CheckQuiz on biomass, hybrid systems, and microgrids.5 min

04Grid Connection & Storage Strategy

  1. ▶Grid Code Requirements & Export MeteringDNO approval, export capacity, anti-islanding, metering standards.9 min
  2. ▶Battery Storage for Self-Consumption & Demand ShiftingLithium-ion, lead-acid, round-trip efficiency, depth of discharge.10 min
  3. ▶Pathway to Net-Zero (Retrofit Sequencing)Insulation → electrification → renewable generation → storage.10 min
  4. ▶Grid & Storage CheckQuiz on grid connection, batteries, and net-zero pathways.5 min

05Capstone Project

  1. ▶Capstone: Renewable Energy DiagnosticsHands-on: diagnose eight on-site renewables call-outs — PV yield and sizing, string shading, batteries, the wind cube law, load-shifting, monitoring and orientation — then calculate, verify and prescribe the fix.30 min