MOHAWK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
UTICA, NEW YORK
CENTER FOR MATHMATICS, ENGINEERING, PHYSICAL SCIENCE
AND APPLIED TECHNOLOGY
COURSE OUTLINE
I. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
FM246
Introduction to Alternative Energy
Cr-3
This course is a comprehensive reference and guide for both professional engineers as well
as engineering students interested in energy systems with essential knowledge of major
energy technologies, including how they work, how they are quantitatively evaluated, what
they cost, and their benefit or impact on the natural environment. Topics covered include
fossil fuel combustion, carbon sequestration, nuclear energy, and wind energy. Use of
biofuels is also covered.
Prerequisite: None
II. MATERIALS:
Text : Energy Systems Engineering, Francis Vanek, Louis Albright,,
ISBN: 978-0-07-149593-6
.
2
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon the completion of this course, the student will be able to:






Evaluate a number of alternative energy systems
Contrast Energy Systems for Cost and Environmental Benefit
Evaluate Efficiencies of Energy Systems
Analyze Energy Systems for Consumer Production
Discuss Sustainable Development Plans
Develop a Life Cycle Cost and Energy Consumption Plan
IV. DETAILED COURSE OUTLINE:
WK1. Introduction (Chapter 1)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Historic Growth in Energy Demand
Correlation between Energy Use and Wealth
Pressure on CO2 Emissions
Industrial versus Emerging Countries
WK 2. Systems Tools for Energy Systems (Chapter 2)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Energy Conservation versus Alternative Energy Development
The Concept of sustainable Development
Steps in the Application of the Systems Approach
Life Cycle Analysis and the Sustainable Approach
Wk 3 Economic Tools for Energy Systems (Chapter 3)
A.
B.
C.
D.
The Time Value of Money
Evaluation Without Discounting
Levelized Cost of Energy
Methods of Intervention in Energy
WK 4 Climate Change and Climate Modeling (Chapter 4)
A. The Greenhouse Effect
B. Carbon Cycle and Solar Radiation
C. Modeling Climate and Climate Change
D. Climate in the Future
3
WK 5. Fossil Fuel Resources (Chapter 5)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Characteristics of Fossil Fuels
Current Rates of Consumption
Decarbonization Theory
Hubbert Curves
WK 6 Stationary Combustion Systems (Chapter 6)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Rankine Vapor Cycle
Brayton Gas Cycle
Supercritical Cycle
Combined Cycle
Cogeneration & Combined heat and Power
WK 7. Carbon Sequestration (Chapter 7)
A.
B.
C.
D.
The Photosynthesis Reaction
Indirect Sequestration
Geological Storage of CO2
Direct Carbon Sequestration
WK 8. Nuclear Energy Systems (Chapter 8)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Nuclear Reactions and Resources
Resource Availability
Established Reactor Designs
Nuclear Energy and Carbon Emissions
WK 9 The Solar Resource (Chapter 9)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Direct, Diffuse and Global Insolation
Definition of Solar Geometric Terms
Effect of Diffusion on Solar Performance
Effect of Surface Tilt on Solar Performance
WK 10 Solar Voltaic Technologies (Chapter 10)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Fundamentals of PV Performance
Losses in PV Cells
Unit Costs of PV Panels
Design and Application of Practical PV Systems
WK 11 Solar Thermal Technologies (Chapter 11)
A. Flat Plate Collectors
B. Evacuated Tube Collectors
4
C. Heat Exchangers and Thermal Storages
D. Types of Passive Solar Heating Systems
E. Passive Ventilation
WK12 Wind Energy Systems (Chapter 12)
A. Components of a Turbine
B. Alternative Turbine Designs: Horizontal versus Vertical
C. Rated Capacity and Capacity Factor
D. Analysis of Turbine Blade Design
WK 13 Transportation Energy Systems ( Chapter 13)
A. Petroleum and Carbon Free Transportation
B. Vehicle Performance
C. Battery Vehicles
D. Hybrid Vehicles
E. Biofuels
F. Hydrogen Fuel Cells
WK 14 Systems Perspective on Transportation Energy
A. Passenger Transportation
B. Freight Transportation
C. Modal Shift to More Efficient Modes
D. Units for Measuring Transportation Energy Efficiency
WK 15 Creating The Twenty-First Century Energy System
A. Summary of Issues Facing Energy Systems
B. Other Emerging Technologies Not Previously Considered
C. Baseline Scenario Results
D. Roles of Energy Professionals.