Our pedagogical approach can now be implemented in three complementary modes depending on the learners' scientific background.

The first mode, the light presentation, meets the needs of those with a limited scientific background.

It implements the CFRP approach: what are the main Components involved in energy technologies, what are their Functions, and to which Reference Processes do they correspond in thermodynamic diagrams?

The practical exercises use guided explorations of simple models, and the only thermodynamic diagram used is the enthalpy–pressure diagram.

This mode does not use either entropy or exergy.

In the CFRP presentation, for Components, Functions and Reference Processes , we start by describing the architectures of the three basic energy technologies: the steam power plant, the gas turbine and the refrigeration machine, and the technological solutions implemented.

We then show that, despite their diversity, the components perform only four main functions, which themselves correspond to three reference processes undergone by the fluids flowing through them.

This analysis, initially functional, leads to the essential notion of reference processes, which are models of fluid behaviour in machines, and quite naturally leads on to the study of the properties of these fluids.

Representing cycles on the (h, ln(P)) diagram makes it possible to visualise the physical phenomena at play and the few reference evolutions undergone by the working fluids.

Underlying pedagogical principles:

• Maximum reduction of cognitive load

• Progression from the concrete (worked examples) to the abstract (concepts)

• Exclusive use, for the introduction, of realistic and immediately understandable examples

• Maximum learner autonomy

If you would like to familiarise yourself with some of the tools used in this approach, here are a few possible steps:

• Discover the simulator

• Study a simple model of a steam power plant through a guided exploration

• Test your knowledge of steam power plants using self‑assessment activities

Context of use:

In the online course 2022 on Energy Systems, we offer the detailed online version of the light presentation, as well as a partial presentation of a set of cycles modelled with Thermoptim, mostly chosen from those that are the subject of guided explorations.

The version of Thermoptim most commonly used for this mode is version 2.5.