ECTS credits ECTS credits: 3
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 51 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 9 Interactive Classroom: 12 Total: 75
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: External department linked to the degrees, Agroforestry Engineering
Areas: Área externa M.U en Enerxías Renovables, Cambio Climático e Desenvolvemento Sustentable, Hydraulic Engineering
Center Faculty of Physics
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
Students will acquire knowledge of the operating principles of hydraulic energy, as well as high-, medium-, low-, and very low-enthalpy geothermal energy. They will become familiar with the characteristics and basic properties of the most relevant components of such installations, as well as the associated production processes.
Students should be able to select, size, and present installations for the exploitation of very low-enthalpy geothermal energy.
The degree report includes the following content for this subject:
Fundamentals of hydraulic energy Preliminary design of a hydroelectric power plant. Alternative approaches, mini- and micro-hydropower. Turbines. Fundamentals of geothermal energy. Classification based on enthalpy levels. Design of low- and very low-enthalpy installations.
These contents will be developed according to the syllabus presented below, indicating in an approximately the time dedicated to each topic at both classroom teaching (DP) and to personal study (DNP):
Section I. Hydraulic Energy (DP=9h, DNP=25h)
Theoretical syllabus
Unit 1. Introduction
Fundamentals. Energy potential. Types of hydraulic energy utilization.
Unit 2. Civil Works
Types of power plants according to infrastructure. Infrastructure components. Retention and storage elements. Hydraulic conducts. Environmental impact.
Unit 3. Hydraulic Turbines
Analysis and design. Impulse turbines. Reaction turbines. Other types of turbines.
Practical syllabus
Practice 1: Calculation of energy production in hydroelectric power plants
Practice 2: Energy analysis of a hydroelectric power plant
Section II. Geothermal Energy (DP=12h, DNP=26h)
Unit 1. General Concepts
Geothermal energy and geothermal gradient. Geothermal resources and reservoirs.
Unit 2. Current Situation
Global context. Geothermal energy in the European Union. Geothermal energy in Spain.
Unit 3. Uses
Electricity generation. Thermal uses. Cascade utilization.
Unit 4. Technologies and Applications
Technologies for electricity generation plants. Technologies for low- and very low-temperature geothermal applications.
Unit 5. Economic, Administrative, and Environmental Factors
Economic aspects. Administrative and regulatory aspects. Environmental aspects.
Unit 6. Advantages of Geothermal Energy
Environmental benefits. Socioeconomic benefits.
- Basic bibliography
Carta, J.A. Calero, R., Colmenar, A., Castro, M. Centrales de Energías Renovables. Pearson Educación, 2011.
Cuesta, L., Vallarino, E. Aprovechamientos Hidroeléctricos. Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, 2015.
IDAE. Minicentrales hidroeléctricas. Manuales de Energías Renovables nº6, 2006.
Aula Hunosa. La innovación geotérmica, nuevos usos del agua de mina. Universidad de Oviedo, 2016.
Sánchez Guzman, J., Sanz Lopez, L., Ocaña, L. Evaluación del potencial de energía geotérmica. Estudio Técnico PER 2011-2020,” IDAE. p. 236, 2011.
- Complementary bibliography
Agüera, J. Mecánica de fluidos incompresibles y turbomáquinas hidráulicas. Editorial Ciencia, 2002.
Brunner, G.W. HEC-RAS River Analysis System Hydraulic Reference Manual, 2020 https://www.hec.usace.army.mil/confluence/rasdocs/ras1dtechref/latest
Delgado, F., Delgado, J. Problemas de Obras Hidráulicas. Grupo Editorial Universitario, 2003.
Directiva 2000/60/CE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo de 23 de octubre de 2000 por la que se establece un marco comunitario de actuación en el ámbito de la política de aguas.
Chamorro, C.R., García-Cuesta, J.L., Mondéjar, M.E., Pérez-Madrazo, A. Enhanced geothermal systems in Europe: An estimation and comparison of the technical and sustainable potentials. Energy, vol. 65, pp. 250–263, 2014.
Huttrer, G. W. Geothermal heat pumps: An increasingly successful technology,” Renew. Energy, vol. 10, pp. 481–488, 1997.
In this subject, the following general (CG), basic (CB), transversal (CT), and specific (CE) competencies will be addressed:
CG03 - Ability to carry out planning studies and design of energy solutions in the field of renewable energies, sustainability, and climate change, whether planning models or their application to installations.
CB7 - That students be able to apply the knowledge acquired and their problem-solving skills in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study.
CB8 - That students be able to integrate knowledge and facing the complexity of making judgments based on information that, while incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
CB10 - That students possess the learning skills necessary to continue studying in a manner that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.
CT01 - Work effectively both in interdisciplinary teams and independently, demonstrating initiative.
CT 04 - Use general and specific bibliographic search tools and resources, including online access.
CT 05 - Be able to interpret texts, documentation, reports, and academic articles in English.
CT 10 - Analytical and synthesis skills.
CT12 - Motivation toward the quality of processes and operational techniques.
CE02 - Develop skills in the design, implementation, operation, and maintenance of efficient, renewable, and sustainable energy installations, applying modeling, planning, and optimization tools.
CE10 - Understand and establish methodologies for the diagnosis, management, and sustainable energy planning through the valorization of local energy resources in different types of settlements, and apply this type of procedure in simple cases.
Lectures will consist of the presentation and development of the fundamental theoretical content of the subject, delivered mainly in large-group sessions with a predominantly lecture-based format. Students are expected to dedicate time to the prior preparation of the topics to be covered in class, as well as to their subsequent study. In order to encourage continuous student engagement, short activities related mainly to theoretical concepts covered during the lectures will be carried out, which may also incorporate practical content. The competencies addressed during lectures are: CG03, CB7, CB8, CB10, CT1, CT4, CT5, CT10, CT12, CE02, CE10.
With respect to interactive classes, they are conceived as a set of activities in which student participation plays a central role. During these sessions, students will solve exercises and problems individually and in groups, allowing them to refine and apply in practice the theoretical knowledge acquired during lectures. The competencies addressed in interactive classes are: CG03, CB7, CB8, CB10, CT1, CT4, CT5, CT10, CT12, CE02, CE10.
Finally, during individual and group tutorials, students will receive support to discuss, review, clarify, and resolve specific questions related to any content and/or activity developed within the course. The competencies addressed in these sessions are: CG03, CB7, CB8, CB10, CT1, CT4, CT5, CT10, CT12, CE02, CE10.
An evaluation system is used that considers not only the final knowledge acquired, but also the learning process itself. Specifically, the final grade of the course will take into account the following aspects:
1) Tutorials
Assessment method: Participation (attendance will not be graded)
Competencies: CG03, CB7, CB8, CB10, CT1, CT4, CT5, CT10, CT12, CE02, CE10
Weight: 10%
2) Assignments and/or activities
Assessment method: Monitoring of the preparation of documents/files, their correction, and/or oral presentation/defense
Competencies: CG03, CB7, CB8, CB10, CT1, CT4, CT5, CT10, CT12, CE02, CE10
Weight: 40%
3) Written exam(s)
Assessment method: Written exam
Competencies: CG03, CB7, CB8, CB10, CT1, CT4, CT5, CT10, CT12, CE02, CE10
Weight: 50% (a minimum score of 5 out of 10 is required)
The subject will be passed (1st and 2nd attempt) when the final grade is at least 5 points out of 10, establishing in the same way a minimum grade in aspect 3 (Written exam) of 5 points out of 10. In the case of students with a grade in aspect 3 (Written exam) lower than 5, their grade will be the lower one between aspect 3 and the overall grade of the subject.
The criteria to be followed for repeating students will be analogous to those previously expressed. In this regard, the students may keep the total combined grade obtained in aspects 1 and 2, which they must inform the teaching staff about as early as possible (if not communicated, it will be understood that the student chooses to carry out the evaluation process established for the course in question).
Students who have been granted an attendance exemption according to the provisions of the "Class Attendance Regulation" will not be obligated to attend any activity (except for evaluation activities), being required that they contact the teaching staff as early as possible, so that an alternative method for the evaluation of aspect 1 can be indicated. This alternative method will consist of completing an additional coursework related to the theoretical and/or practical content covered in the subject, through which the acquisition of the competencies required for this aspect will be reflected. The specific contents of the coursework will be established after an individual tutorial with the student. Aspects 2 and 3 cannot be substituted, although part of the methodology in aspect 2 may be adapted, if necessary.
In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, that established in the “Regulations on the Evaluation of Academic Performance of Students and Review of Qualifications” will apply.
The subject comprises a total of 24 classroom hours, including lectures, interactive sessions, tutorials, and the final exam. The estimated individual student workload amounts to approximately 51 hours.
Ivan Lopez Moreira
- Department
- Agroforestry Engineering
- Area
- Hydraulic Engineering
- ivan.lopez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: LOU (Organic Law for Universities) PhD Assistant Professor
Rodrigo Carballo Sanchez
- Department
- Agroforestry Engineering
- Area
- Hydraulic Engineering
- rodrigo.carballo [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 18:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom 130 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 18:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom 130 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom 130 |
| Friday | |||
| 18:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom 130 |
| 05.20.2026 09:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom C |
| 07.10.2026 09:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom C |