Course Form (revised 8-2009)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Prefix and Course #
Applied Computing and Electronics/
Energy Technology Program
Course Title
Energy Storage and Distribution Systems
NRG 214
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Energy Storage and Dist.
Summarize the change(s) proposed
New course addition
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Ashley Preston
Phone/ email :
243-7915
ashley.preston@umontana.edu
Program Chair/Director:
Tom Gallagher
Other affected programs
Dean:
Date
Barry Good
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
NO
Common Course Numbering Review: Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere YES
in the MUS? Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with
existing course(s)? Please indicate equivalent course/campus 
http://msudw.msu.montana.edu:9030/wfez/owa/musxfer.p_CCN_MAIN
X
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
U 214 Energy Storage and Distribution Systems 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereqs., EET111 and NRG 213, or
consent of instructor. Studies storage and transport methods of different types of energy. Explores
emergent technologies and mechanisms designed to enhance efficiency and safety, including ‘smart grid’
technologies; assesses relative social, economic and environmental merits of each type of energy system in
terms of its storage and distribution.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
NRG214 is a core technical course in the Energy Technology AAS degree program. The course provides
students in the program with a critical foundation for understanding and evaluating energy systems in
terms of their storage and transportation impacts. There are no courses on campus that fulfill the need for
knowledge about the physical, technical , economic , social, and environmental aspects of the storage and
transport of different types of energy.
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
No
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment (Reference guidelines: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm)
Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined by the
Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
YES
NO
X
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number Change
From:
Level U, UG, G
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits
From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
From:
To:
Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering? If yes, then will this change eliminate the
course’s common course status? Please explain below.
5. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Reference guidelines at:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
(syllabus required in section V)
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
6. Other programs affected by the change
7. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send
digital copy with form.
Energy Storage and Distribution Systems NRG214
Department of Applied Computing and Electronics
Energy Technology Program
Course Syllabus
Course number:
Credits:
Instructor:
Office hours:
Contact:
Prerequisites:
NRG214
3
Mark Dickson
By appointment
mark.dickson@mso.umt.edu
EET111 Basic Electronics; NRG213 Power
Systems Technology
Description
NRG 214 Energy Storage and Distribution Systems (3 cr.) studies storage and transport methods of different types of
energy. Explores emergent technologies and mechanisms designed to enhance efficiency and safety, including ‘smart
grid’ technologies; assesses relative social, economic and environmental merits of each type of energy system in terms
of its storage and distribution.
Overview
Except in limited cases where energy is consumed directly at the point of production or extraction, energy (or the fuel
to produce energy) must be transported to its point of end-use. Unless used immediately at the end of its journey, this
energy must be also be cached at that point and, in many cases, stored during transport. These storage and
distribution systems play a vital role in determining the cost effectiveness of the various energy sources. This
transportation of energy may take many different forms and involves ever-increasing transaction costs especially as
our country’s neglected power infrastructure continues to degrade.
Electrical energy is usually transmitted to our homes and businesses through the movement of electrons over
networks of interconnected wires—the grid. Coal to power many of these electrical generating plants may be
transported via rail. Energy in the form of natural gas is usually delivered to end-users through networks of pipes, and
some of these are connected to underground storage reservoirs. Wood to heat homes and businesses may be
transported via truck. Propane is often delivered to end-users by truck or rail car. Tanker trucks move gasoline from
refineries or large storage tanks to service stations, where consumers pump it into their own portable storage tanks.
Though it has become costly and inefficient, the distribution and storage of traditional fuels is well established, but in
dire need of an overhaul. However, the distribution and storage of alternative fuels is not as well defined, but should
become paramount as we move into the future.
NRG214 explores emergent technologies and mechanisms designed to enhance efficiency and safety of energy
transport and storage. The student is given tools to assess the relative social, economic and environmental merits of
each type of energy system in terms of its storage and distribution. There will be an emphasis on the current
deteriorating state of the electrical grid system and its deficiencies and how the budding idea of “micro-grids” may
offer promise with securing our nation’s energy future.
Course Objectives
Upon Completion of this course, students will be able to:








Develop an understanding of the basic principles of how energy is stored and distributed in a variety of
systems throughout our world.
Obtain a basic understanding of the power industry in both the wholesale and retail domains.
Be able to discuss the transmission and distribution particulars, including benefits and limitations for a
variety of markets including: petroleum, coal, natural gas and renewable sources.
Have a working knowledge of various storage devices and technologies including their different
applications, design issues, advantages and drawbacks. Such devices will include: batteries, capacitors,
super-conductors, compressed air, pumped hydro and thermal.
Perform a basic feasibility study on the utilization of these various systems.
Understand how energy storage and distribution pertains to the unique area of renewable energy
including: battery based off-grid systems, grid tied systems, micro-grid systems and large commercial
scale projects.
Be able to design a simple renewable energy storage and distribution system.
Discuss the various technologies that may be available in the near future.
Required Texts
Baxter. Energy Storage: A Non-technical Guide. Penn Well Corporation, 2006. ISBN: 1-59370-027-X
Suggested Texts
Galvin, Yeager and Stuller. Perfect Power: How the Micro-grid Revolution Will Unleash Cleaner, Greener, and More
Abundant Energy. McGraw Hill, Inc., 2009. ISBN: 978-0-07-154882-3
Assessment/Grading Policies
Grades are based upon successful completion of the following:
Homework
Quizzes
Project
Final exam
40%
30%
10%
20%
Homework will be assigned for each unit that may consist, research, essays, summaries or participation in online
discussions. These assignments will be available by Monday at 5am and due by Sunday at 5pm in the week it is
assigned.
There will be a quiz for each unit that will usually consist of multiple choice, essay and short answer questions.
These will be open book and will be available by Monday at 5am and due by Sunday at 5pm in the week it is
assigned.
The final exam will be comprised of multiple choice, essay and short answer questions.
There will be a small project due during the final week of class (Due: Friday May 8th at 5pm). Details will be
announced in the weeks prior.
All of your responses and answers must be supported with work and/or referenced sources.
No late assignments, quizzes, exams or projects will be accepted.
Grade scale
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 and below
Topical Outline / Leaning Units
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Storage and Distribution in the Electrical Power Industry
Storage and Distribution in Other Energy Markets
Electricity Distribution Technologies
Electricity Storage Technologies
Application and Design Issues
Renewable Energy and Storage and Distribution
Our New Energy Future: micro-grids
Drop/Add Policy
http://www.umt.edu/catalog/policy_procedure.htm
Academic Honesty Policy
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course
instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University.
All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at
http://www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm?page?1321.
Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodations in this online course. To request course
modifications, please contact me as soon as possible. I will work with you and Disability Services in the accommodation
process. For more information, visit the Disability Services website at http://www.umt.edu/dss/ or call 406.243.2243
(Voice/Text).
Email policy at UM
According to the new University email policy effective on 1 July 2007, an “employee must use only UM assigned
student email accounts for all email exchanges with students, since such communication typically involves private
student information.” This means that you must send any correspondence through your GrizMail account. For more
information on setting up and using your GrizMail account, please go to
http://www.umt.edu/it/email/studentemail.htm.
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.