Energy Conversion Processes

Direct: Single-step conversion process

• photovoltaics: electromagnetic  electrical
• batteries: chemical  electrical
• thermoelectric coolers (TEC): thermal  electrical
• piezoelectric: mechanical  electrical
Indirect: Multi-step conversion process
• Diesel cycle (gas): chemical  thermal  mechanical  mechanical
• Rankine cycle (liquid-vapor), steam turbine:
chemical
nuclear  thermal  mechanical  electrical
solar
geothermal
• Brayton cycle (gas), gas turbine, turbojets:
chemical
nuclear  thermal  mechanical  electrical
solar

wind turbine
wave energy mechanical  mechanical  mechanical 
tidal energy electrical
Energy Conversion Matrix
 Example
Energy Conversion

An electric commuter car requires 24 hp and is to have a

photovoltaic array on the roof to charge the batteries both while
moving and parked. The overall electromagnetic – to – electrical –
to - mechanical energy conversion is 13%. The average solar flux is
650 Wem/m2. For each hour of operation, you estimate that the
vehicle will be parked for four hours during daylight hours. If the
storage efficiency of the batteries is 60%, determine the required
area of the solar array.
The effective solar power with energy storage per hour of operation is:
The required area of solar array required to generate 24 hpem:

This area is only the area required to collect 24 hp worth of

electromagnetic energy. The conversion of the electromagnetic
energy to mechanical energy (motion of vehicle) is 13%. Thus, the
area required to generate 24 hpm from 650 Wem/m2 is:
 Energy Storage Systems

Comparison of energy storage technologies.

Discharge Time versus Power

Conversion of Energy
How do we calculate conversion of energy?
 First Law of Thermodynamics

For a steady-state, open system:

so the first law is really:

change in transitional energy  change in stored energy
The sign convention on heat (Q) and work (W) may change.
For example, some thermodynamic textbooks will write the first law
of thermodynamics as Q + W in which case W is the work into
the system.

The choice of sign convention will vary between engineering

disciplines as well. It is not important which sign convention you
use as long as you are consistent.

The meaning of a positive or negative work can always be ascertained

by examining how the stored energy term (E) changes.
From engineering thermodynamics:
Closed System
no mass flow in or out of system
Open System
mass flow in and/or out of system
 Conservation of Energy

Steady, rate form of the 1st Law:

are balanced by change in

energy stored in a fluid
 Steady

implies that there is no energy or mass accumulation within the

system. That is different than the exchange of energy in the mass
which passes through the system. The mass which passes through
may accumulate energy. The 1st Law of Thermodynamics applies to
the fluid which is passing through the system.
1st Law of Thermodynamics: (subset of the general principle)
Efficiency of Energy Conversion

Device Efficiency Definitions

Typical Conversion Efficiencies

 Serial Efficiency

Each time energy is converted from one form to another, there is a

loss of available energy; in other words, the efficiency of the energy
conversion is always less than 1.
In a system where there are multiple energy conversion processes
occurring, the efficiencies of each subsequent conversion result in
an ever decreasing net energy output.

Example - Serial Efficiency