PSC110 Introduction to Renewable Energy: Difference between revisions

Course Title and Instructor Information

PSC110

Introduction to Renewable Energy

Lonny Grafman (see contact details here)

Welcome

Welcome to PSC110 Introduction to Renewable Energy taught. This is a 3-credit summer course that aims to introduce, analyze and synthesize a variety of energy technologies. The course will attempt to place renewable energy in the context of current world energy policies and technologies.

Our high rate of energy consumption is based upon cheap, but finite and polluting, energy resources. To continue to meet our energy needs, many changes will need to take place. Most likely, there will not be just one answer. This course will examine the current state and possible future portfolios of energy supply, specifically focusing on renewable energies.

This summer course is being taught in Spain which offers an especially exciting context. During November 2009, Spain reached an impressive new record by meeting 45% of its electrical power demand from wind energy. This will be just one of the renewable energy technologies we examine.

Course Objectives

Students will understand:

• basic science and terminology of energy technologies
• various renewable energy technologies
• the relation between energy policy and technology adoption
• how to critically evaluate energy technology options
  • how to use back of the envelope calculations to quickly evaluate information

Grading

You are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions. You are expected to complete the assigned readings prior to coming to class, to do the homework assignments and the online writeup.

• 40% Midterm and Final
• 15% Participation/Attendance
• 10% Small Research Writeup
• 25% Class assignments
• 10% Group project

Late Assignments

The pace of this course will be very fast. No late assignments will be accepted.

Academic Honesty

In attempting to cope with the various aspects of this course, the sharing of ideas will often be educationally useful. Part of my teaching philosophy is to encourage students to learn from one another and to help fellow students to learn. The team projects illustrate the collaborative approach.

Collaboration on coursework is authorized in this course provided that it is done in the spirit of mutual learning and sharing of ideas. When this occurs, you should indicate the names of all persons with whom you collaborated. The copying of someone else’s work or ideas and representing them as your own is unethical and prohibited. As in most, if not all issues involving ethical considerations, it may be hard to know where to draw the line. If you do not provide the names of your co-workers, I will presume the collaboration is copying, not mutual learning. If you do collaborate, it must be noted and you are still responsible for understanding all the material.

You should read: The official Student Code of Conduct and HSU’s Policy of Academic Honesty.

Professional Ethics

Below are some URLs that provide useful information of the ASCE code of ethics for Professional Engineers and ethics for engineering and science.

• ASCE Code of Ethics
• ASCE Homepage - Ethics
• National Society for Professional Engineers Ethics Homepage
• Online Ethics for Engineering and Science

Course Materials

• Calculator
• Memory stick or other device to back up files
• Presentation materials for final project poster and for final project document
• Up to $100.00 in project materials ($25 – Rube Goldberg, $75 – Design Project)

Attendance

Attendance at all class/lab sessions is mandatory. If you will miss a session, you must contact your instructor in advance to arrange a make up or alternate exercise. Failure to do so will result in a grade penalty. If you have more than 3 unexcused absences, you will receive an F in the course.

Makes-ups will only be given in extraordinary situations that are verifiable and well documented. The reason for missing work must be substantial and quite beyond the student’s control. Not many excuses are accepted. The instructor will decide whether an excuse is acceptable. One criterion for acceptance of any excuse will be its timeliness. Therefore, whenever possible, inform me before the missed work is due.

Students with Disabilities

Add/Drop policy

Students are responsible for knowing the University policy, procedures, and schedule for dropping or adding classes. http://www.humboldt.edu/~reg/regulations/schedadjust.html

Emergency evacuation