EET 460: Renewable Energy and Electricity Production
Syllabus, Fall 2016
Catalog Description
An overview of renewable energy resources, energy conversion and storage for stationary and
transportation applications. Topics include: Basics of electrical energy and power generation,
load specification, history of electric utilities, distributed generation, the economics of energy,
biomass fuels, wind and solar power. Cr.3.
Prerequisites: PHY 108, PHY112 or PHY 122, MAT 126 or TME 253, CHY121 or CHY131, or
permission.
Faculty Information
Taught By:
Dr. David Dvorak and Mr. Paul Villeneuve
Phone:
581-2338 and 581-2271
e-mail:
david.dvorak@umit.maine.edu and paul.villeneuve@maine.edu
Campus Address:
114 Machine Tool Lab and 7 Barrows Hall
Office Hours (Dvorak): TBD
Office Hours (Villeneuve): TBD
Course Goals and Objectives:
This course is designed to present the basic science behind the sources of and costs of energy
available for human utilization, and provide a bridge between these basic sciences on one hand
and engineering practice on the other. The primary focus will be on electricity generation for grid
connection, with additional topics on off-grid power production, combined heat and power
systems, energy storage, and transportation fuels. The course will guide students through
decision-making processes in which basic sciences, engineering, and economics are applied to
convert renewable energy resources optimally to meet stated energy needs.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the semester students will be able to:
1. Describe how energy sources (renewable and non-renewable) are converted to electricity and
interfaced to the grid.
2. Discuss regional geographic features which affect the feasibility of utilizing solar, wind, wave,
hydro, tidal, and geothermal power.
3. Describe the sources and use of biomass as an energy source.
4. Calculate the performance of combined heat and power (CHP) systems based on thermodynamic
power cycles or fuel cells.
5. Understand the challenges of integrating renewable energy technologies with the utility grid.
6. Given a specific situation, identify appropriate US Policies on energy sources.
7. Evaluate and compare relative costs of renewable energy sources.
8. Understand the grid and how it operates.
EET460 Syllabus
Page 1 of 4
Version 8/2/2016
Instructional Materials and Methods
Textbook:
Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems by Gilbert Masters,
Second Edition, Wiley, 2013.
Course
Management:
The course will extensively utilize Blackboard. Ensure that you have
access to Blackboard by obtaining a Maine Street ID and password. You
can access Blackboard at https://bb.courses.maine.edu
Blackboard works best with either Safari, Firefox, or Google Chrome web browsers. Internet
Explorer is supported, but not recommended. Javascript and third party cookies should both be
enabled regardless of the browser being used.
Students should also have at least a DSL connection to view videos without interruption and the
ability to watch youtube videos.
Course Expectations and Assessment
Active Learning. Students are expected to stay current with the course progression, attending
lectures or viewing the lecture videos within a day or two of the lecture being posted to
Blackboard. The lecture videos are supplemented with copies of the presentations and the
textbook, all of which should be reviewed before attempting the quizzes. We encourage
questions, either in-class or by e-mail, and we will answer the questions either individual or by
incorporating the answers and/or further explanatory material into subsequent lectures. Thus, by
asking questions, you can make the learning experience better for everyone.
Homework and Quizzes. Completing the assigned homework and quizzes is probably the best
way to prepare for the exams and to meet the Learning Outcomes specified previously.
Homework and quizzes will contribute 20% to the overall course grade assigned. There will be
no makeup of missed quizzes. Late homework will not be accepted. On-line quizzes will be
available for at least one week (7 days). Quizzes will be announced on Blackboard and during
lecture. It is your responsibility to know when the on-line quizzes will be available. Due to the
constraints of on-line assessment, any extenuating circumstances must be brought to the
instructors' attention before the quiz closes.
Preliminary Exams. Preliminary exams are essential to determine if the Learning Outcomes are
being met. There will be three preliminary exams throughout the semester. Each preliminary
exam will count for 20% of the overall course grade for a total of 60% for all three exams. There
will be no makeup of missed exams without prior notification of the instructor (by phone,
FirstClass, or e-mail). We will give one makeup exam toward the end of the semester, covering
material from all three prelims. On-line tests will be available for at least two days (48 hours).
Exams will be announced on Blackboard and during lecture. It is your responsibility to know
when the on-line exams will be available. Due to the constraints of on-line assessment, any
extenuating circumstances must be brought to the instructors' attention before the test closes.
Final Exam. A written final exam will be given at the end of the course. The final exam will be
comprehensive, and count for 20% of the overall course grade. The exam will be given during
Final Exam Week, at the date, time, and location specified in the UM Final Exam Schedule. It is
the responsibility of off-campus students to arrange a location and proctor for the final exam.
EET460 Syllabus
Page 2 of 4
Version 8/2/2016
Course Policies
Classroom Interaction
Any student comments directed at other students that may be construed as derogatory will not be
tolerated. Any behavior that is deemed detrimental to the learning environment will result in the
student being asked to leave the class. Continued poor behavior will result in the student being
dropped from the class. If any issues arise, feel free to contact the instructors.
Academic Honesty
To falsify the result of one’s research, to steal the works or ideas of another, or to cheat on an
examination corrupts the essential process by which knowledge is advanced.
I encourage you to study with others, and you can also work with each other on quizzes.
However, exams are considered individual efforts, and must be completed without the assistance
of others. At no time should a student take credit for another student’s work. Neither should any
student through deception create the impression that they have mastered academic material that
in reality they have not. Such activities fall under the definitions of plagiarism and cheating and
are violations of the Student Conduct Code:
http://umaine.edu/handbook/policies-regulations/student-conduct-code/
Notice for Students with Disabilities:
If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, please contact
Disability Support Services, 121 East Annex (581- 2319), as early as possible in the term.
Force Majeure
In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to factors beyond the control of the
instructor or institution, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the
course. In that event, you will be provided an addendum to this syllabus that will supersede this
version.
Course Schedule
A preliminary course schedule is included on the next page, and is included to give you an idea
of the course content and schedule of quizzes and exams, which is subject to change. Changes to
the course schedule and the actual timing of tests and quizzes will be announced in class and
posted on Blackboard.
Sexual Discrimination Reporting:
The University of Maine is committed to making campus a safe place for students. Because of
this commitment, if you tell an instructor about an experience of sexual assault, sexual
harassment, stalking, relationship abuse (dating violence and domestic violence), sexual
misconduct or any form of gender discrimination involving members of the campus, your
instructor is required to report this information to the campus Office of Sexual Assault &
Violence Prevention or the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you want to talk in confidence to someone about an experience of sexual discrimination,
please contact these resources:
EET460 Syllabus
Page 3 of 4
Version 8/2/2016
For confidential resources on campus: Counseling Center: 207-581-1392 or Cutler Health
Center: at 207-581-4000.
For confidential resources off campus: Rape Response Services: 1-800-310-0000 or
Spruce Run: 1-800-863-9909.
Other resources: The resources listed below can offer support but may have to report the
incident to others who can help:
For support services on campus: Office of Sexual Assault & Violence Prevention: 207581-1406, Office of Community Standards: 207-581-1409, University of Maine Police:
207-581-4040 or 911. Or see the OSAVP website for a complete list of services at
http://www.umaine.edu/osavp/
Course Schedule (Preliminary). Check Blackboard for actual dates and times.
Week of
Lecture Topic
Assessment
Aug 29
Introduction, AC Power
Sep 5
Thermodynamics of Energy Conversion
Quiz 1
Sep 12
The Utility Industry
Quiz 2
Sep 19
Grid Operation and Distributed Generation
Quiz 3
Sep 26
Fuel Cells Technology and Applications
Oct 3
Engineering Economics
Quiz 4
Oct 10
Fall Break (10-11 Oct) Hydro Power
Quiz 5
Oct 17
Electricity Generation using Biomass, Biofuels Synthesis
Quiz 6
Oct 24
Wind Power
Oct 31
Wind Power
Quiz 7
Nov 7
Solar Thermal Systems, Photovoltaic Devices &Systems
Quiz 8
Nov 14
Photovoltaic Systems and Applications
Quiz 9
Nov 21
Thanksgiving Break (25-27 Nov) Geothermal Power
Nov 28
Energy Storage
Dec 5
Tidal and Wave Power
EET460 Syllabus
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Page 4 of 4
Version 8/2/2016