2012-2013 Academic Catalog

May 10, 2024

2012-2013 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

PHYS 243 - Technology of Renewable Energy

The technology of renewable energy will is a course designed to give an overview of the technical issues confronting the the conversion of the worlds fossil fuel economy to one were the major sources of energy are sustainable. The pros and cons of the three major renewable energy sources will be discussed, solar, wind and biofuels, in addition to some of the less universal sources such as tides and geothermal and of course efficiency, the hidden energy resource. No discussion of renewables is complete without a good understanding of the electrical grid, which is central to the implementation of renewable energy. The present grid is designed for a smaller number of large generating stations and relatively even power generation and loads. The renewable grid will have many smaller energy sources, as small as single solar panels on the top of telephone poles and rapidly fluctuating sources as winds gust through windmills and clouds cover and uncover solar panels. Through lecture and demonstration we will learn how a nationwide energy network might work in the future. This course is designed for science and non science majors alike, however math skills including algebra and trigonometry will be expected.