EK-225 (Tues/Thurs 6-7:30 pm GCB 204)
Introduction to Energy Conversion and Environmental
Engineering
Instructor
Lincoln Miara, PhD
lmiara@bu.edu
office hours:
7:30-8:00 pm Tue/Thu
Course Summary
This class examines the existing state of the world's energy use and its impact on society
and the planet. A quantitative framework is provided in order to evaluate current and
potential technologies. Individual energy generation, conversion, and end use options are
evaluated within this framework. Both renewable energy generation technologies: wind,
solar, biomass, and hydro, and conventional sources such as nuclear and fossil fuels will be
compared. Energy conversion is discussed with regards to batteries and fuel cells, liquid
bio- fuels, and grid level storage systems. These technologies are then put into a social
context and their use around the world is discussed. Evaluations are based on homework
and class discussions, a project, midterm, and a final.
Texts

Required: Energy Systems and Sustainability: Power for a Sustainable Future, Everett
and Boyle. (2012, 2nd ed.) ISBN: 0199593744

Strongly Recommended: Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future, Boyle
(2012, 3rd Ed.) ISBN: 0199545332
Tester, Jefferson W., Sustainable Energy: Choosing Among Options. 2nd edition. MIT
Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780262017473
McKay, David J. C. Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air. UIT Cambridge, Ltd.,
2009. ISBN: 9780954452933.


Evaluation
15% - Homework (1 every 2 weeks)
10% - Class participation, involvement in discussions
10% - Quizzes (2): Open Book
20% - Midterm: Closed Book (~October 16 on Lectures 1-12)
20% - Project: Develop a microgrid
25% - Final Exam: Closed Book, Cumulative (On last lecture day: Dec 9)
Schedule (Subject to change due to guest speaker availability):
Section I: Energy Use in Context
Lectures:
1. Powering the planet
2. Green Manufacturing
3. Overview of energy use and issues of sustainability
(En Sys*: 1)
4. Primary Energy, and Energy Uses
(En Sys. 2,3)
5. A Closer look at different forms of Energy
(En Sys. 4)
Section II: Fossil Fuel Energy Generation
Lectures:
6. Quiz 1, and Coal: Historical to present day
(En Sys. 5)
7. Heat to Motive Power
(En Sys. 6)
8. Oil and Gas
(En Sys. 7)
9. Engines
(En. Sys. 8)
10. Nuclear Power
(En. Sys. 10)
Exam – 20%
Section III: Renewable Energy Generation and pricing
Project Begins:
Lectures:
11. Costing Energy
(En. Sys. 12, Renew 2)
12. Solar PVs
(Renew**. 3)
13. Quiz 2, and Bioenergy
(Renew. 4)
14. Hydro Power
(Renew. 5)
15. Wind and wave power
(Renew. 7)
16. Geothermal and integrating renewable energy
(Renew. 9)
Section IV: The grid and Beyond
Lectures:
17. Running the grid and smart grid
(En. Sys. 9)
18. Grid Storage and the hydrogen economy
(En. Sys. 9)
19. The water-energy-agriculture nexus
20. Other topics of sustainable development.
21. Review
Final Exam – 25%
Project Description:
Develop and cost a microgrid suitable to power an urban neighborhood. This will involve
multiple steps such as siting your project, collecting demand data, finding specs on the
necessary technology, and determining the financing such as payback period. This project will
be completed individually and will be broken down into multiple parts.
*En Sys. = Energy Systems and Sustainability: Power for a Sustainable Future, Everett
**Renew. = Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future, Boyle