Energy & Environment II – Winter 2002

ME 342, PHYS 342, CHEM E 342, ENVIR 342

M W F 12:30 – 1:20

Mechanical Engineering Building (MEB), Room 238

W Th F 8:30 – 9:30 AM

M W 1:30 – 2:30 PM

M W 11:30 -12:20 AM

and by appointment

Jessica Kirchhoffer - Graduate Student

Mechanical Engineering

Office: 152 Engineering Annex

e-mail: jgkirk@u.washington.edu

Phone: 685-9414

Thursday 10:00 - 12:00

This course introduces the student to renewable energy. The student learns about solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectricity, and energy from biomass. For each of these, the student learns about the energy resource, and how to assess the amount of energy available from the resource at a particular site. The student is introduced to the technologies used to collect the energy and convert it into electricity or thermal energy. The student learns about examples of renewable energy systems, and about the fundamental principles of the different technologies. Some examples are solar photovoltaic (PV), wind farms, micro-hydro, biodiesel, and solar dried crops. Discussion is also provided on energy from waves and from ocean temperature differences. With the knowledge gained in the course, the student is able to estimate the efficiency and power output of renewable energy systems.

The course also discusses the environmental consequences of energy conversion and how renewable energy can reduce air pollution and global climate change. During class discussions, the social impacts of renewable energy and the latest news on renewable energy are noted. An example of the latter is the large wind turbine farm being built between Richland and Walla Walla in eastern Washington.

The method of instruction is fairly typical. One-hour lectures are offered three days a week, with discussion included. The instructor and teaching assistants hold office hours several times a week to permit students to seek individual help and to discuss energy/environment issues in additional depth or breadth.

Although this course does not require prerequisites, it is recommended for students enrolling in the course to have background in college-level science and mathematics. Courses in 100-level chemistry or physics, and 100-level mathematics (or 200-level quantitative science), SUMMING TO A TOTAL OF AT LEAST THREE(3) COURSES, are strongly encouraged as background for ME/CHEM E/PHYS/ENVIR 342. Examples of courses meeting the background need are CHEM 120, or 142, 152, 162; PHYS 114, 115, 116, or 121, 122, 123; and MATH 124, or QSCI 291 and 292.

Students should obtain the textbook required for the course.

Students are also encouraged to visit the course web sites, both present and past, where they may view the lecture notes, homework assignments, and exams.

Homework assignments are given on a weekly basis, for a total of about ten assignments over the quarter. Typically, the assignments are made on Friday, and are due the following Friday. About 75% of the assignments involve the analysis of renewable energy resources or the calculation of the renewable energy systems performance. The other 25% of the assignments involve discussion of the trends in renewable energy technology and use, the environmental and social impacts, and renewable energy policy.

Student final grades are based on the following requirements and percentages:

1. Approximately ten homework assignments, about one per week, which count for 35% of the course grade. Homework assignments must be submitted by the start of class on the day due.

2. A fifteen-minute quiz is given once every two weeks. Over the course, five quizzes are given, with each student’s lowest score removed. The remaining four quizzes count for 30% of the course grade. The quizzes are closed-book, closed-notes. There are no make up quizzes.

3. A two-hour final exam is given at the final exam time for the course as published by the University. The final exam is only offered at this time. The final exam counts for 35% of the course grade.

Renewable Energy, Power for a Sustainable Future

Present site:

From previous years: