Energy Engineering Minor

• ENRGYEGR 490: Special Topics – Bioenergy
• ENRGYEGR/ME 490: Special Topics – Renewable Energy Technologies
• ENRGYEGR/ME 490: Special Topics – Modern Power Systems
• ENRGYEGR/ME 490: Special Topics – Wind Turbine Design & Analysis
• ECE 341L: Solar Cells
• ME 516: Thin-Film Photovoltaics
• Another relevant course or applied learning experience, with prior approval—such as a Bass Connections project

• ENRGYEGR/ME 490: Special Topics – Energy for the Built Environment
• ECE 431: Power Electronic Circuits for Energy Conversion
• ENRGYEGR/ME 490: Special Topics – Transportation Energy
• ME 490: Special Topics - Power for Mechanical Systems
• Another relevant course or applied learning experience, with prior approval—such as a Bass Connections project

An overall introduction to energy issues as they relate to generation, delivery, conversion and efficiency. Topics include efficiencies of both new and established energy generation and conversion methods; electricity generation by fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, wind and hydropower; and alternative energy technologies. Other topics include space heating and cooling by traditional methods and by solar, transportation energy in automobiles, mass transit and freight. Topics are evaluated quantitatively by modeling and using principles of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer. The environmental consequences of energy choices on local, national and global scales, including toxic emissions, greenhouse gases and resource depletion are also discussed and integrated throughout the course. Prerequisite: ME 331L, or ME 512, or PHY 311, or similar thermodynamics, or consent of instructor.  Instructor: Knight. One course. C-L: ENERGY 310. The course is not open to students who have taken ME 461.

Broad overview of fundamental and applied concepts of energy in the overall context of the modern and built environment. Includes mechanical and electrical fundamentals to analyze the built environment, energy flows and balances, demand and supply solutions, tools such as life cycle analysis for assessment/evaluation, and emerging issues in the built environment. Course includes design problems and case studies. Prerequisites: ENRGYEGR 310 or ME 461 or consent of instructor. Instructor: Simmons. One course.

An overview of technologies and processes for renewable energy generation (excluding biological processes covered in ENRGYEGR 490.01 Bioenergy). Includes fundamental principles, review of the state of the art, design and economics, and future perspectives of the main non-biological renewable energy processes. This includes thermochemical processes, wind and geothermal energy, passive solar power and photovoltaics, hydropower, tidal and wave power, and selected renewable emerging energy technologies. Instructor: Simmons

Broad overview of fundamental and applied concepts of power generation, transmission and distribution from a systems point of view. Topics covered include but are not limited to components of power grids, their functionality, and interdependence; load modeling and forecasting; power system behavior and performance; smart grids and integration of renewable energy. Prerequisites: ENRGYEGR 310 or ME 461 or consent of instructor. Instructor: Simmons or staff. One course.

Introduces the planning, design and operations of transportation systems. Topics include design, operation, energy and yields, management, and maintenance of transportation systems and infrastructure. Evaluation of design, economical and environment impact, modeling, costing and lifecycle are introduced. Structural characteristics, loading conditions, design, specification are discussed. The course includes a team project. Instructor: Knight. One course. Prerequisites: ENRGYEGR 310

Deals with integration of prime movers into systems for power generation, industrial applications and transportation. It focuses on the torque and power characteristics of piston engines, gas turbines and electric drives, and on the physical principles that are used to model their characteristics. Instructors: Knight. Prerequisites: Thermodynamics and instructor permission.

A broad overview of solar cells, including solar radiation, device theory, materials options, device fabrication and characterization, and system-level issues. Students participate in hands-on laboratory exercises related to the fabrication and characterization of organic, photovoltaic solar cells. Instructor: Stiff-Roberts. One course.

An introduction to switched-mode power converters for graduate and advanced undergraduate students. Basic circuit operation, including steady-state converter modeling and analysis, switch realization, and transformer-isolated converters, and converter control systems are covered. Course includes A/C modeling of converters using averaged methods, small-signal transfer functions, and feedforward and feedback control design. Magnetics design for switched-mode applications, including basic magnetics, the skin and proximity effects, inductor design, and transformer design are covered. Prerequisites: Basic circuit analysis and microelectronic courses, or consent of instructor. Instructor: Peterchev

Study arranged on a special topic in which the instructor has particular interest and competence. Consent of instructor and director of energy engineering program required. Half course or one course each. Topics vary by section and year to year. Course may be repeated if the subtitles of the courses are different. Variable credit.

An integrative design course addressing both creative and practical aspects of the design of systems related to energy and the environment. Development of the creative design process, including problem formulation and needs analysis, feasibility, legal, economic and human factors, environmental impacts, energy efficiency, aesthetics, safety, and design optimization. Application of design methods through a collaborative design project.