20806291Introduction to Renewable Energy
Course Information
Description
This course provides an introduction to renewable energy technology.  The course is grounded in the fundamentals of energy, power, and the first and second laws of thermodynamics.  A scientific approach is used to examine various energy sources, including fossil fuels, nuclear, biomass, biofuels, solar, hydro, wind, geothermal, and ocean/tidal power.  Various types of energy storage technology are also examined.  Science and engineering challenges are examined for each energy technology, along with economic and environmental impacts.  This course is suitable for any student with an interest in renewable energy, particularly those pursuing studies in scientific, technical, and engineering fields.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Apply the laws of thermodynamics to the analysis of some simple energetic systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Identify the difference between energy and power
    Use mathematical equations to calculate energy and power
    Convert between various units of energy and power (both English and metric)
    Identify the difference between kinetic and potential energy
    Use mathematical equations to calculate kinetic and potential energy
    Describe the first and second laws of thermodynamics
    Construct an energy balance using the first law of thermodynamics

  2. Perform simple cost calculations for energy from fossil fuels
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Identify the origins of various fossil fuels
    Identify the chemical composition of coal, oil, and natural gas
    Identify the processes used to extract coal, oil, and natural gas
    Describe the geographic distribution of coal, oil, and natural gas
    Determine the environmental impacts of combustion of fossil fuels
    Calculate the energy content of various fossil fuels
    Convert between various units of energy and power for fossil fuels

  3. Perform simple cost calculations for energy from biomass and biogas
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Describe the processes used to create biomass and biogas
    Identify the chemical composition and properties of woody biomass
    Identify the chemical composition and properties of biogas
    Determine the environmental impacts of combustion of biomass and biogas
    Calculate the energy content of biomass and biogas
    Convert between various units of energy and power for biomass and biogas

  4. Perform simple cost calculations for energy from ethanol and biodiesel fuels
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Describe the processes used to create ethanol and biodiesel fuels
    Identify the chemical composition and properties of ethanol fuel
    Describe the difference between conventional and cellulosic ethanol production
    Identify the chemical composition and properties of biodiesel fuel
    Identify the environmental impacts of combustion of ethanol and biodiesel fuels
    Calculate the energy content of ethanol and biodiesel fuels
    Convert between various units of energy and power for ethanol and biodiesel

  5. Perform an economic analysis and find the simple payback period for a solar thermal system
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Describe the processes used to gather, store and use solar thermal energy
    Apply the principles of day lighting and passive solar home design
    Identify the components of solar water heating and space heating systems
    Apply the principles of solar thermal collection systems
    Differentiate between closed loop and drain back solar thermal systems
    Identify the factors that affect the variable nature of solar energy
    Differentiate between flat plate and evacuated tube solar thermal collectors
    Identify the principles of solar thermal site selection
    Calculate the energy collected and the efficiency of a solar thermal system
    Convert between various units of energy for a solar thermal system
    Perform simple cost calculations for energy from a solar thermal system

  6. Perform simple cost calculations for consumption of electrical energy
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Describe how electricity is generated
    Identify the quantities of electric potential, current, resistance and Ohm’s law
    Differentiate between electrical energy and electric power
    Differentiate between AC and DC current
    Identify the principles of operation of electric circuits
    Identify the components of a typical electric utility bill
    Convert between various units of electrical measurements
    Use Ohm’s law to solve simple electrical problems
    Calculate the energy and power consumption of an electrical device

  7. Perform an economic analysis and find the simple payback period for a hydropower system
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Describe the processes used to gather and use hydropower
    Identify the components of a hydropower system
    Differentiate between various types of hydropower turbines
    Identify the factors that affect the variable nature of hydropower energy
    Identify the principles of hydropower site selection
    Determine the environmental impacts of hydropower
    Calculate the energy, power, and the efficiency of a hydropower turbine
    Convert between various units of energy for a hydropower turbine
    Perform simple cost calculations for energy from a hydropower turbine

  8. Perform an economic analysis and find the simple payback period for a wind turbine system
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Describe the processes used to gather and use wind energy
    Identify the components of a wind turbine system
    Differentiate between a wind mill and a wind turbine
    Identify the principles of wind turbine design
    Differentiate between vertical and horizontal axis wind turbines
    Identify the factors that affect the variable nature of wind energy
    Identify the principles of wind turbine site selection
    Determine the environmental impacts of wind power
    Calculate the power of the wind
    Calculate the energy, power, and the efficiency of a wind turbine
    Convert between various units of energy for a wind turbine
    Perform simple cost calculations for energy from a wind turbine

  9. Perform an economic analysis and find the simple payback period for a PV system
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Describe the processes used to gather sunlight and convert it to electricity
    Differentiate between various types of photovoltaic materials
    Identify the principles of solar photovoltaic cell construction
    Identify the components of a solar photovoltaic system
    Identify the factors that affect the variable nature of solar energy
    Identify the principles of PV site selection
    Determine the environmental impacts of PV systems
    Calculate the energy of a single photon
    Calculate the energy, power, and the efficiency of a solar PV cell
    Convert between various units of energy for a PV system
    Perform simple cost calculations for energy from a PV system

  10. Perform simple cost calculations for energy from a CSP system
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Describe the processes used to concentrate sunlight and convert it to electricity
    Differentiate between various types concentrated solar power (CSP) systems
    Identify the components of a CSP system
    Identify the principles of CSP site selection
    Determine the environmental impacts of concentrating solar power
    Calculate the energy, power, and the efficiency of a CSP system
    Convert between various units of energy for a CSP system

  11. Perform an economic analysis and find the payback period for a ground source heat pump
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Describe the processes used to extract and use geothermal energy
    Identify the components of a geothermal electrical generation plants
    Identify the components of a ground source heat pump system
    Differentiate between open and closed loop geothermal heat pump systems
    Differentiate between vertical and horizontal loop geothermal heat pump systems
    Identify the principles of geothermal heat pump site selection
    Determine the environmental impacts of geothermal energy
    Calculate the energy, power, and the efficiency of a geothermal system
    Convert between various units of energy for a geothermal system
    Perform simple cost calculations for energy from a geothermal system

  12. Perform an economic analysis and find the payback period for energy storage systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Analyze the variable nature of electrical supply and demand and the role for storage
    Identify the principles of pumped hydro energy storage
    Identify the principles of compressed air energy storage
    Identify the principles of flywheel energy storage
    Identify the principles of electrochemical oxidation and reduction
    Identify the principles of battery energy storage
    Differentiate between various types of batteries
    Calculate the energy, power, and the efficiency for energy storage systems
    Convert between various units of energy for energy storage systems Perform simple cost calculations for energy storage systems

  13. Perform calculations to determine the cost of water required for electrical production and the cost of energy required for water treatment
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Analyze the interaction between energy and water
    Describe the necessity of water for thermal electric power production
    Analyze the need for energy for provision of clean drinking water
    Calculate the volumes of water necessary for thermal electric power production
    Calculate the energy and power needed to treat and transport water
    Convert between various units of energy required for water treatment and transport

  14. Perform simple cost calculations to determine the impact of various energy policies
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Differentiate between regulated and unregulated energy markets
    Describe the concept of a natural monopoly
    Analyze the regulatory role of the Public Service Commission
    Differentiate between electrical generation, transmission, and distribution service
    Describe the geographic nature of service territories within the electrical grid
    Explain technical policies that affect interconnection of electrical generation to the grid
    Differentiate between centralized and distributed electrical generation
    Differentiate between electrical generation “in front of” and “behind the meter”
    Explain financial policies that have been applied to various energy sources, including taxes, credits, incentives, mandates, sanctions, net-metering, and feed-in tarrifs