ECTS credits ECTS credits: 3
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 1 Expository Class: 14 Interactive Classroom: 12 Total: 27
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Chemistry Engineering
Areas: Chemical Engineering
Center Higher Technical Engineering School
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
This subject, of an optional nature, is aimed at achieving essential objectives for the work of the chemical engineer in any process industry, taking into account that:
a) Energy is the only high-value raw material required in any industrial process.
b) From both an economic and environmental point of view, the energy transition and the optimal use of energy are two basic requirements for the competitiveness and sustainability of today's chemical industry.
This need is substantiated within the Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering and Bioprocesses in three objectives:
1) The energy transition is more than ever a reality in developed countries, subject to an in-depth analysis with a view to the necessary replacement of non-renewable energy resources with renewables and the study of the technologies involved in the design and development of new processes.
2) The energy optimisation of processes, both of new processes and of already consolidated processes, through the application of thermodynamic criteria.
In both objectives, the aim is to direct technical efforts towards the design and development of an energy-competitive and more sustainable industry, and a society with a much smaller carbon footprint.
3) To put into use and expand the potentialities acquired throughout the Degree in Chemical Engineering, both to give continuity to what is already known in the application of the fundamentals of Applied Thermodynamics, Industrial Energetics and Optimization of Chemical Processes in the design of processes, as well as for the use of new technologies and specific calculation tools.
The contents that are developed in 3.0 ECTS are those succinctly contemplated in the descriptor of the subject in the curriculum of the Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering and Bioprocesses, and which are: "Introduction: The energy system in transition. Energy resources and vectors. Onshore and offshore wind energy. Water power. Solar radiation and photovoltaic generation. Other technologies and storage systems. Energy efficiency in industry. Integration of heat and power. Power quality."
The subject has been oriented towards an eminently technological content, on an essential resource in industrial processes, energy, which is addressed in three blocks:
Block 1.- The energy system. Energy resources and vectors.
Block 2.- Energy optimisation.
Block 3.- Atmospheric renewable energies. Associated technologies. Energy storage systems.
In this way, Block 1 will address the energy system and the basic energy resources and vectors for its current transition towards the maximization of the exploitation and use of renewable energy resources.
Block 2 is aimed at optimising the transformation and use of energy, both in terms of energy recovery and energy quality.
Block 3 is oriented, on the one hand, to technologies for the transformation of renewable energy resources, with special emphasis on atmospheric renewable energies (SCBA), and to the energy storage technologies required to guarantee the availability of supply.
Block 1
Topic 1 is dedicated to the review of the different forms of energy in use in today's society and the technologies used for this purpose, all of which constitute the energy market, as well as the risks associated with the different models of energy systems.
Topic 2 addresses the current energy transition strategy, renewable energies and their integration into energy systems.
Block 2
Topic 3 is dedicated to the study of the current energy optimization techniques of industrial plants on a form of energy, heat, used in the design of heat recovery systems.
These techniques are extended in Topic 4 to the capacity for the integration of heat and work, until the total energy integration of the industrial plant is reached.
In Topic 5, the concept of exergy is introduced and applied to an energy production plant, as a magnitude that measures the quality of energy.
Block 3
Topic 6 addresses the main aspects of hydropower, the most established of the renewable energies; including storage by pumping. Topic 7 deals with wind generator technology and associated parameters. Topic 8 studies solar energy harvesting systems, both thermal and photovoltaic, and the geometry of solar radiation that conditions their efficiency. Topic 9 summarizes thermal and electrical energy storage systems.
TOPIC 1. Energy resources.
The energy system. Energy resources and vectors. The energy market.
TOPIC 2. Energy transition.
Origin of the energy transition: Energy security. Current models of energy transition. Renewable energies. Integration of renewable energies.
TOPIC 3. Energy optimization. Heat integration.
Energy optimization. Maximum heat recovery (MER). Synthesis of heat exchanger networks.
TOPIC 4. Total energy integration.
Integration of heat and power. Turbine integration. Heat and cooling pumps. Application to the chemical process.
TOPIC 5. Power quality.
Concept of exergy. Exegetic analysis.
TOPIC 6. Hydropower.
Turbines. Pumped storage systems.
TOPIC 7. Wind energy.
Wind turbines and generators. Wind turbine parameters. Meteorological parameters.
TOPIC 8. Solar energy.
Geometry of solar radiation. Solar thermal energy: Low, medium and high temperature. Photovoltaic solar energy.
TOPIC 9. Energy storage.
Thermal energy storage: Thermal fluids, flux salts, reactive systems. Electrical energy storage: Batteries, capacitors.
Basic
Jacobson, M.Z., "100% Clean, Renewable Energy and Storage for Everything". Cambridge University Press, 2020.
Shenoy, U.V., “Heat Exchanger Network Synthesis”. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston,1995. SINATURA: 151.2 2
Complementary
El-Halwagi, M., “Process Integration”, Elsevier Academic Press, 2006.
Iqbal, M., “An introduction to solar radiation”. Academic Press, San Diego (CA), 1984.
Jain, P. "Wind Energy Engineering", 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2016.
Linnhoff, B., “Process integration for the efficient use of energy”. The Institution of Chemical Engineers, 1982.
Shepherd, W. and Shepherd, D.W., “Energy Studies”, Imperial College Press, 2014. SINATURA: A130 10
Smil, W., “Energy at the crossroads”, The MIT Press, 2003.
Smith, J.M., H.C. van Ness, M.M. Abbott: "Introduction to Thermodynamics in Chemical Engineering". McGrawHill. Mexico 2003. SINATURA: A041 1 O
Sorensen, B., “Renewable Energy”. Academic Press. London 2002. SINATURA: A243 3
Other documentation
The teacher will provide presentations of the contents of the subject and other documents through the Virtual Classroom, in the language of teaching of the same.
In this subject, the student will achieve a series of learning outcomes, both general and desirable in any university degree, as well as specific, specific to engineering in general or specific to the subject "Energy Transition and Integration" in particular.
Within the table of learning outcomes included in the degree report and divided into knowledge, competences and skills, students will achieve the following:
Knowledge: CN02, CN04
Competencies: CP01, CP02, CP03
Skills: HD01, HD02, HD05, HD08, HD11
This subject will be developed through different teaching and learning mechanisms, as indicated in the following sections. It is important to note that the contents of the subject may be addressed alternatively or repeatedly in face-to-face or non-face-to-face teaching, as appropriate in each case.
Face-to-face teaching
• Theoretical (Expository) classes, which introduce the basic concepts and problems related to the energy transition, its main technologies and energy integration, in accordance with the contents and objectives of the subject.
• Problem seminars (Interactive), which introduce the student to the resolution of specific problems related to the content of the subject.
• Energy integration laboratory, in the Computer Room, in which students will solve various practical cases with a computer, and will be evaluated at the end of each session. Therefore, attendance is mandatory.
• Group tutoring, which will be compulsory, which will be dedicated to the quantitative analysis of a case of energy integration.
Media:
Experimental teaching: A computer room equipped with MS-Windows computers is required for the development of the 8 hours of laboratory work provided for in the Master's thesis.
Technical visits: Technical visits will be considered jointly with the students of the subject "Industrial Air Pollution", related to the contents of the subject, depending on the means and internal and external conditions available.
Non-face-to-face teaching
Students will be offered a practical case related to the energy integration of processes.
Skills development
1=E/I classes 2=Energy Integration Laboratory 3=Compulsory tutoring 4=Case study Energy Process Integration 5=Technical visits
Developed Competence
Knowledge
CN02 1 4
CN04 1 4 5
Competences
CP01 2 3 4
CP02 2 3 4
CP03 2 3 4
Skills
HD01 1 4 5
HD02 1 4 5
HD05 4 5
HD08 4 5
HD11 2 4 5
Grading system
Students will have to solve various practical cases (in the internships during the Energy Integration Laboratory and in the Energy Integration case study), which will constitute 40% of the overall grade of the subject. The teacher's report and the student's participation in the classes and group tutoring will account for another 20% of the overall grade. The evaluation is completed with a final written exam, which will include a series of theoretical and practical questions, with the resolution of numerical problems, according to the following table:
Grading system Assessment mode Weight in the overall grade Minimum value out of 10
Individual Written Exam 40 % 3.5
Energy Integration Lab Team 20 % -
Case Study Energy Integration Team 20% -
Attendance and active participation in classes (inc. group tutoring) Individual 10 % -
Teacher report (inc. technical visits) Individual 10 % -
To pass the subject, the student must obtain a minimum grade of 3.5 out of 10 in the written exam. Otherwise, the student's overall grade will correspond to that of the written exam.
The grades of classes/tutorials/case studies/laboratory and the teacher's report obtained in the course in which the student has studied the subject in person will be kept in all the evaluation opportunities of said course. It is always necessary that in each new opportunity the student takes the written exam, which will receive the corresponding grade.
When assignment/tutorial/case study/lab assessments are not retained, repeat students will follow the same assessment system as new students.
In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the "Regulations for the evaluation of the academic performance of students and the review of qualifications" will apply.
Competency assessment
1=E/I Classes 2=Energy Integration Laboratory Results 3=Group Tutoring 4=Case Study Results 5=Written Exam
Competence
Knowledge
CN02 1 4 5
CN04 1 4 5
Competences
CP01 2 3 4 5
CP02 2 3 4 5
CP03 2 3 4 5
Skills
HD01 1 4 5
HD02 1 4 5
HD05 4
HD08 4 5
HD11 2 4 5
The subject has a workload of 3.0 ECTS, with 1 ECTS credit corresponding to 25 hours of total work, with the total number being about 75 hours. These hours are distributed as follows:
Activity Face-to-face hours
Theory (inc. technical visits) 12
Seminars and Case Study 10
Energy Integration Lab 4
Group Tutoring 1
Review and review 2
Total face-to-face hours 29
Total hours of personal work of the student 46
Total: Hours 75 ECTS 3.00
where the face-to-face hours indicate the number of hours of face-to-face teaching of the subject, including the various activities and face-to-face tutorials that will be carried out in it. The hours of personal work are the sum of those corresponding to all the activities that the student must carry out, and that he or she must dedicate individually or in a team, without the presence of the teacher.
Students who enroll in the subject must have a series of basic knowledge and other specific knowledge that are important to be able to pass the same: Algebra, calculus, fluid physics, matter and energy balances, applied thermodynamics, conventional energy equipment and plants, computer applications at the user level (Word, Excel, web).
Enrolled students must regularly monitor classes and participate in all assessable activities that take place both in the classroom and outside of it.
The subject will be taught in Spanish.
The use of a Virtual Classroom of the subject is planned.
Jose Antonio Souto Gonzalez
Coordinador/a- Department
- Chemistry Engineering
- Area
- Chemical Engineering
- Phone
- 881816757
- ja.souto [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A6 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A6 |
| Friday | |||
| 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A6 |
| 05.28.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Classroom A6 |
| 05.28.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A6 |
| 05.28.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A6 |
| 07.06.2026 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A6 |
| 07.06.2026 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Classroom A6 |
| 07.06.2026 16:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A6 |