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Syllabus
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Learning Goals
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B
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C
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D
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14
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Topic:
Subject |
Interaction of Renewable Energies
By the end of this module, you will be able to: |
X
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a.
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Electric grid connections of hydro, wind, and solar sources
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Describe how hydro plants, windfarms, and solar arrays connect to the power grid.
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X
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b.
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Relative values of renewable vs. clean vs. green energy (part 2)
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Describe and compare the relative costs and capacity factors of renewable energy installations, and explain how the levelized cost of electricity is used to evaluate energy costs.
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X
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c.
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Reliability, dispatchability, interchangeability
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Explain the terms reliability, dispatchability, and interchanges as they relate to renewable energy sources.
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X
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d.
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Generation: interplay between wind, solar & hydro power during cyclone passage
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Describe how real-time small-hydro, wind, and solar power and energy production are impacted by mid-latitude weather systems.
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X
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e.
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Load: interplay between weather & psychology
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Explain how people react to extreme temperatures (hot weather and cold weather) according to recent psychological research, and discuss how the current transition to global sustainable energy affects people.
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X
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f.
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Transmission: interplay between ampacity & weather
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Explain how local weather impacts current-carrying capacity of electric power transmission lines, and how power companies can implement dynamic thermal ratings to optimize power transmission; list the risks associated with power lines exceeding their thermal rating. |
X
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g.
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Energy trading: seasonal, short-term, spot market
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Explain how wholesale and retail energy markets work in a competitive economic environment, describe how weather forecasting skill can affect renewable energy markets, and define specific energy market terminology including weather derivatives.
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X
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h.
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Climate change vs. relative values of hydro, wind & solar power
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List concrete examples of how anthropogenic climate change will alter the relative values of: solar vs. wind power; solar PV vs. CSP; local solar PV vs. remote hydropower. |
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A
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B
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C
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D
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15
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Topic:
Subject |
Population Growth and Our Energy Future
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
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X
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a.
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Other renewables: tidal, wave, biomass, geothermal
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Discuss other renewable energy sources being explored and tested, and explain the pros and cons of biomass, geothermal, and ocean power.
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X
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b.
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Questionable clean energies: nuclear, natural-gas thermal
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Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy and natural-gas thermal energy, and describe the risks associated with each power source.
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X
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c.
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Home-scale generation
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Discuss the benefits of home generation. List the options homeowners have to generate their own electric power.
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X
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d.
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Grid-scale and home-scale energy storage
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Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of grid scale energy storage. Explain the benefits and disadvantages of home energy storage.
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X
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e.
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Smart grid & smart meters
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Define a smart grid, list the advantages of a smart grid, and describe the differences between an older analog electric meter and a new smart meter.
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X
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f.
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Increasing demand: transportation, home electronics & air conditioning
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Discuss the roles of transportation, home appliances & electronics, and air conditioning on electricity use. Describe the future impact on electricity demand expected from these three energy uses.
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X
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g.
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Conservation and population growth
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Discuss how projections of population growth coupled with conservation measures to reduce per capita electricity usage will affect future energy requirements. List one impact future electricity use has on engineering decisions being made now.
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X
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h.
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Vulnerability of the electric supply
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Discuss the vulnerability of the electric power grid to human-caused and natural events, and list the 13 most devastating events that can disrupt large-scale power systems.
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X
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i.
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Energy shortages
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List the world’s major energy crises in the past 50 years, and discuss the impacts on energy supply and demand. |
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X
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j.
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Our energy future
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Describe how the knowledge you gained in this course can help you to enable a bright future. |
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A
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B
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C
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D
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Topic:
Subject |
ePortfolio
By creating an ePortfolio, you will be able to:
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a.
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Renewable energy opportunitites where you live
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Calculate potential annual and monthly solar energy, wind energy, and precipitation at your home location. (accessed via Canvas)
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b.
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