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The students are able to…

• convert different forms of energy (with their different units) into each other

• define, explain and discuss the water-energy-nexus

• explain how different types hydropower plants function in general and how they impact downstream ecological systems

• sketch and explain different types of turbines and generators

• describe a wastewater based on its composition and define the needed treatment steps

• explain the relevant physical, chemical and microbial processes in the context of wastewater treatment

• explain how different types of wastewater treatment steps function (“classical” and “novel” technologies, “primary”, “secondary”….. treatment)

• discuss the pros and cons of central vs decentral wastewater treatment

• interpret and discuss the potential role of wastewater avoidance strategies

• summarize and explain the current legal requirements for hydropower plants and for wastewater discharge

• estimate the potential for hydropower generation at a given location

• assess the feasibility for hydropower generation in a given location

• dimension specific elements of a centralized waste water treatment plant for a given location

• dimension a decentralized wastewater treatment plant at a given location

• quantify (bio)-chemical reactions and the reaction volumes needed

• explain the methodological challenges of circular systems

• Use the correct English terminology for hydropower and wastewater treatment issues

• take part in professional discussions on hydropower and wastewater treatment in English language

• Conceptual links between water and energy, energy conversion issues

• Energy issues:

  • aggregate changes and energy aspects on the molecular level of water

  • water flow in canals, pipelines and tubes

  • head losses, pumps, hydraulic schemes

• Hydropower:

  • Introduction to the role of hydropower in the water cycle (history)

  • Hydropower resources, their evaluation and basic design issues of hydropower plants

  • Components and types of typical hydropower plants

  • Water turbines and generators

  • Hydropower in the context of legislation, energy policy and energy markets

  • Ecological implications of hydropower

•  Wastewater:

  • Filtration and particles: Mechanisms of their behaviour and removal in wastewater treatment systems (e.g., surface charge, theta potential, aggregation, settling, flocculation, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, passive and active membrane filtration…)

  • Microbial ecology of biofilms and bioreactors: Basic processes of microbial conversions (e.g., fermentation, anaerobic respiration, nitrification, denitrification, anammox, sludge formation and  properties…). Dimensioning of specific treatment steps.

  • Wastewater treatment systems: central and decentral wastewater treatment systems, aerobic vs anaerobic treatment, conceptual approaches to new alternative sanitation systems

  • Water reuse in circular systems