Sustainable Energy Conversion Systems, Professor Jorge E. González
Spring 2014 Syllabus (subject to refinement/updating)
SUS- 7900B: Sustainable Energy Conversion Systems
Day/Time in Spring 2014: Fridays 5:00-7:50pm
Room: Steinman 207
Instructor: Jorge E. González, Ph.D.
NOAA CREST Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Office: Steinman Hall, Room 238
Tel: 212-650-5279
E-mail: gonzalez@me.ccny.cuny.edu
Course Description: Contemporary energy conversion systems, energy resources and
factors affecting the rate of global energy consumption. Comparison of conventional
and renewable energy conversion systems, including limitations and efficiency of each,
and the comparative impacts on the environment. Applications include steam, gas,
wind, and hydro turbine systems, internal combustion engines, fuel cells, solar energy
converters, tidal and wave energy converters.
Prerequisites: Engr 23000 Thermodynamics (or equivalent); ME 35600 Fluid
Mechanics (or equivalent). 3 HR./WK.; 3cr.
Textbook: J.A Fay and D.S. Golomb, Energy and the Environment, Oxford 2012.
(Recommended).
Course Learning Objectives:
To introduce the student to the subject of global energy activity and resources,
and associated environmental impacts.
To introduce the student to conventional power generation systems, and to the
quantification of their effectiveness via thermodynamics analysis.
To train the students in quantifying environmental impacts from conventional
power generation systems.
To introduce the student to energy technologies in the transportation sector, to
associated fuels, and to quantification of environmental impacts of the choices of
technologies and fuels in this sector.
To train the student to quantify renewable energy resources using in-situ and
remote sensors technologies, to quantify associated power generation from
renewable energy technologies, and to perform life-cycle analyses of these
technologies.
To motivate the student to deploy critical thinking with respect to the subject of
energy conversion and the environment.
Prerequisites by Topic:
1. Engineering Thermodynamics
2. Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
3. Computer Programming.
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Sustainable Energy Conversion Systems, Professor Jorge E. González
Spring 2014 Syllabus (subject to refinement/updating)
Specific Topics:
Global energy use and supply.
Energy and climate change.
Thermodynamic principles of energy conversion.
Fossil-fueled power plants.
Internal combustion engines and transportation.
Wind energy.
Hydro and tidal energy systems.
Solar thermal energy conversion and photovoltaic generators.
Fuel cells.
Quantifying environmental impacts of energy conversion processes.
Contemporary energy conversion topics.
Computer Usage:
Computers are employed in this course as an instructional tool. Students are required to
integrate self generated programs with commercially available and industrial software
packages to be discussed in class and for the purpose of energy conversion processes.
Any programming language is acceptable.
Evaluation/Grade Reporting:
1. Homework will be assigned from class notes, and solutions will be due one week
after assigned.
2. Three quizzes will be administered during the semester.
3. One term paper will be assigned during the semester on topics related to energy
conversion processes and/or devices.
4. One 70 minutes long midterm exam with score of 100 points each will be given
during the semester along with one final examination.
5. The final grade will be calculated using the following weight factors:
Mid Term Exam – 25 %
Final Exam – 25%
Quizzes – 20%
Term Technical Paper – 15%
Homework – 15%
6. Final Grade will be determined based on the following score
A – 90% and above
B – 78% - 89%
C – 62% - 77%
Attendance and Behavior:
Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to behave professionally with proper
attire for a classroom.
Course Outline:
Based on 15 lecture weeks, allowing 2 weeks for exams, field trip to the Rutgers Eco
Complex (http://ecocomplex.rutgers.edu/ ), and project discussions.
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Sustainable Energy Conversion Systems, Professor Jorge E. González
Spring 2014 Syllabus (subject to refinement/updating)
Dates
Week-1
Subject and Description
Conventional Energy Module
A review of global energy demands and available conventional
resources; global carbon balance; climate impacts of energy activity
as reflected by global warming; environmental impacts of energy
resource extraction; role of energy efficiency in reducing
environmental impacts of energy activity.
Weeks2-& 3
Review of thermodynamics concepts of energy systems; fossil fuel
power plants; combined heat and power systems.
Week-4
Introduction to environmental impacts of fossil fuel power plants; air
pollution analysis.
Week-5
Introduction to synthetic fuels and fuel cells.
Energy Conversion for the Transportation Section
Review of energy in the transportation sector; internal combustion
systems; use of biofuels for transportation; electric vehicles; the
challenge of biofuels and land use.
Renewable Energy Module
Introduction to renewable energy resources and technologies; Use
of satellites for renewable energy resources.
Week-6
Week-7
Week-8
&9
Principles of solar radiation; solar energy resource; solar thermal
and PV technologies; economics of solar technologies; case study.
Reading
Assignment
References
[1, 8]
Class notes;
Chapters 1-2
Chapters 3-4
Reference [2]
Chapter 10
Reference [3]
Chapter 4
Chapter 9
Reference [4]
Class notes
Reference [5]
Class notes
Chapter 8
Week10 & 11
Wind energy resource and technologies; wind farms; off-shore
technologies; economics of wind energy technologies; case study.
References
[5-7]
Class notes
Chapter 8
Week12
Hydropower resources and technologies; connections of climate
change and water resources for hydropower; case study.
References
[4-5]
Class notes
Chapter 8
Week13
Geothermal and wave energy technologies and systems.
References
[4-5]
Class notes
Chapter 8
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Sustainable Energy Conversion Systems, Professor Jorge E. González
Spring 2014 Syllabus (subject to refinement/updating)
References:
1. S. Pacala and R. Socolow, 2004, Stabilization Wedges: Solving the Climate Problem for
the Next 50 Years with Current Technologies, Science, 305, 968-972.
2. El-Wakil, M.M., Power Plant Technology, Mcgraw-Hill, 1984.
3. D.B. Turner, Workbook of Atmospheric Dispersion Estimates, 1994, Lewis Press.
4. F. Kreith and J.F. Kreider, Principles of Sustainable Energy, 2011, CRC Press.
5. Handbook of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, F. Kreith & Y. Goswami Eds.
2007. CRC Press.
6. J.A. Duffie and W.A. Beckman, Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes, 2006, John
Wiley.
7. Angrist, S.W., Direct Energy Conversion, Allyn and Bacon, 1982.
8. Annual Review of Energy and the Environment, Socolow, Anderson, and Harte, Editors.
9. Several other technological and scientific articles to be given in class.
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