The course aims to describe energy sources, their conversion and transformation, their use and rationalization. Once the primary and secondary forms of energy have been introduced, attention is focused on conservation principles applied to energy systems. Then conventional steam power plants are studied, followed by gas turbines, and internal and external combustion engines used as energy systems. Renewable power plants and direct conversion power plants are discussed. The final and rational use of energy, recovery and energy saving are also studied. Furthermore, the course will allow the acquisition of basic multidisciplinary skills to design, build and use economic analysis models of energy plants and systems so as to be able to evaluate the performance and applications of different energy systems, being also able to compare the specificity of each system and choose the best coupling solution between a given energy end use and the available energy conversion systems.
The objectives of the course according to the Dublin descriptors are as follows:

Knowledge and understanding
Understand the fundamental principles of energetics from a technical and economic point of view.

Applied knowledge and understanding
Through the development of case studies, the student will be encouraged to develop an application capacity on the methodologies and techniques acquired.

Making judgements
Being able to apply the acquired knowledge to solve simple and non-simple problems thanks to the multidisciplinary knowledge obtained.

Communication skills
Being able to explain, both in written and oral form, the problem and possible solutions to simple situations concerning energy supply.

Learning skills
Knowing how to collect information from textbooks and other materials for the autonomous solution of problems related to energy supply.