Courses:

Sustainable Energy >> Content Detail



Syllabus



Syllabus

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Overview


Assessment of current and potential future energy systems, covering resources, extraction, conversion, and end-use, with emphasis on meeting regional and global energy needs in the 21st century in a sustainable manner. Different renewable and conventional energy technologies will be presented and their attributes described within a framework that aids in evaluation and analysis of energy technology systems in the context of political, social, economic, and environmental goals. Open to graduate students and upper class undergraduates.



Textbook


Amazon logo Tester, J. W., E. M. Drake, M. W. Golay, M. J. Driscoll, and W. A. Peters. Sustainable Energy - Choosing Among Options. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2005. ISBN: 9780262201537.

One-page overview of the textbook (PDF).



Course Lecture Structure


During the first few weeks of class, six Toolbox Lectures on fundamental topics will be interspersed with the regular class lectures.



Toolbox Lectures



TOPIC #TOPICS
1Energy Resource Assessment
2Energy Supply, Demand, and Storage Planning Methods
3Economic Feasibility Assessment Methods
4Systems Analysis Methodologies
5Energy Transfer and Conversion Methods
6Thermodynamics and Efficiency Analysis Methods



Lectures


Part I: Energy in Context


TOPIC #TOPICS
1Introduction
2Overview of Energy Use and Related Issues
3Sustainability, Energy, and Clean Technologies in Context
4Resource Evaluation and Depletion Analysis
5Global Change and Response Issues
6International Efforts to Abate Global Changes
7Regional Air Pollution
8Overview of Energy Supply Portfolio
9Criteria for Assessing the Sustainability of Energy Technologies

Part II: Specific Energy Technologies


TOPIC #TOPICS
10Geothermal Energy
11Hydropower
12Nuclear Waste Disposal
13Electrochemical Energy Storage
14Fuel Cell and Distributed Energy Programs in Industry
15Biomass Energy
16Biomass Conversion to Liquid Fuels
17Nuclear Energy I: Present Technologies
18Nuclear Energy II: Future Technologies and the Fuel Cycle
19Fossil Energy I: Types and Characteristics. Decarbonization
20Fossil Energy II: Conversion, Power Cycles
21Fusion Energy Technologies
22Wind Power
23Cape Wind and Other Wind Projects
24Solar Thermal Energy
25Solar Photovoltaic Energy

Part III: Energy End Use, Option Assessment, and Tradeoff Analysis


TOPIC #TOPICS
26Eco-buildings
27Domestic Energy Efficiency Improvement
28Electric Industry Restructuring
29Future Road Transport Options
30Energy Supply and Use in China and India
31Sustainable Development Issues and Decision-making Techniques
32US Energy Policy and Options



Assignments




Homework


One problem set per week on average. Early problem sets focus on analytical skills; later problem sets are more comprehensive and integrating.



Papers


One written term paper (20-30 pages) with interim progress report and final oral presentation.



Grading



ACTIVITIESPERCENTAGES
Homework25%
In-class Participation10%
Mid-term Exam25%
Term Paper (25% for Written Paper and 15% for Oral Presentation)40%

 








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