Renewable Energy Assessment

Units: 3

Overview of the various renewable energy assessment technologies. Students will learn what assessments and measurements can be taken to determine if renewable energy technologies will be effective in a particular location. Topics include biomass and biofuels, geothermal systems, solar thermal systems, photovoltaics, wind energy, and hydroelectric.

Offered in Spring Only

Units: 3

The understanding of the economic, social, and legal barriers and incentives to renewable energy adoption is an important facet to helping renewable energies reach their potential. This course explores mechanisms that can be used and that have been used successfully in the US and in other parts of the world to remove those barriers and to promote greater use of renewable resources, particularly in rural areas and on agricultural and forested lands.

Offered in Fall Only

Units: 3

This course introduces specific elements in photovoltaic [PV] systems technologies including efficiency, modules, inverters, charge controllers, batteries, and system installation. Topics include National Electric Code [NEC], electrical specifications, photovoltaic system components, array design and power integration requirements that combine to form a unified structure. upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of various photovoltaic designs and proper installation of NEC compliant solar electric power systems.

Offered in Fall Only

Units: 3

Overview of the historical and current role of wind, hydro-electric, and bioenergy power technologies globally and the direction of each sector's evolution for the future particularly in the USA. The course emphasizes the technology behind power generation for wind, hydro, and bioenergy sectors. Students will evaluate policy and permitting issues and, consequently, determine if a site is appropriate for implementation of either or all of these technologies.

Offered in Spring Only

Units: 3

This course explores relationships between humans, energy, and the environment with interdisciplinary context. Themes include environmental impacts of energy production, distribution and use with discussion of new technologies. Half of the course content is from subject lectures and half from self-selected student projects. Student projects emphasize analytical approaches to solving environmental problems, and enhance skills in writing, seminars, and team work.

GEP: Global Knowledge

GEP: Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Offered in Fall Spring Summer