PSC110 Introduction to Renewable Energy: Difference between revisions

Course Title and Instructor Information

PSC110

Introduction to Renewable Energy

Lonny Grafman (see contact details at User:Lonny)

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

This course has no prerequisites. I expect that we will have a broad spectrum of energy backgrounds among the students entering the class. Whether you have never studied renewable energy, or you have previously worked in the field, the objects of the course are that 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

Midterm and Final

The midterm and final are each 20 percent of your grade. There will be two quizzes. All class material may possibly be covered on the quizzes, but material that was covered in reading, lecture, activity and homework will definitely be on the exams.

Participation/Attendance

Participation consists of attendance (objective and randomly taken) and in class engagement (subjective) and makes up 15 percent of your grade. Coming to every class and participating in discussions is the easiest way to receive full credit for this portion. Two absences will have no affect on your grade. You will fail the class if you miss classes. Anything in between will take away some part of this 15% grade. If you must miss, contact me before hand for a makeup. Any attendance policy of the USAC program can supersede this agreement.

Small Research Writeup

The small research writeup makes up 10% of your grade. The field of renewable energy is quite large. We will be covering a subset of it. This assignment is an opportunity for you to study some other part that interests you, and to educate your peers and others about it. This writeup will be on Appropedia and probably viewed by hundreds of people. We will work together to come up with the style and suggested content. You will be graded based upon its quality and credibility.

Class Assignments

Assignments make up 25% of your grade. They will involve research into energy facts, policies and trends, as well as working with these researched values and units to quantify information and make calculations based upon known values. Many will be short (1/4 page) and some will be longer (excel sheet).

Group Project

The group project makes up 10% of your grade. The objective of the project is to synthesize the learning of the course. We will co-create this project. The project will be graded upon how well it meets our co-created criteria and how well it demonstrates synthesis.

Grade scale

The following grade ranges are associated with the corresponding letter grades. Note that while there is a B+, C+ and D+, institutionally there is no A+.

Percent and Letter Grade	Percent and Letter Grade
95.0-100% A 90.0-94.9% A- 87.5-89.9% B+ 82.5-87.4% B 80.0-82.4% B- 77.5-79.9% C+	72.5-77.4% C 70.0-72.4% C- 67.5-69.9% D+ 62.5-67.4% D 60.0-62.4% D- 00.0-59.9% F

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.

I expect all students to abide by the HSU Code of Conduct.

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
• Pencil
• Paper
• Eraser
• Interest and engagement :)

Attendance

Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. If you will miss a session, you must contact me 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