Renewable Energy Technology (RET)

This course provides a survey of various renewable energy systems. Participants will learn about the benefits and limitations of each type of energy source as well as their functional principles. Students will participate in several field learning exercises related to energy systems. The intended audiences are technical students wishing to explore the Renewable Energy field and students from the humanities and social sciences wanting a better understanding of this socially important technology.

This course concentrates on the conservation of scarce energy resources in residential, commercial and industrial applications. The course will examine the common sources of energy loss in building systems and homes, industrial processes and transportation. Students will be introduced to residential energy audits and mitigation. Topics will also include regenerative transportation systems, LEED certification, test instruments, insulation values, heat exchangers and financial payback period. Includes hands-on lab exercises.

This course in renewable systems will provide in-depth understanding of the technology, economics and policies relevant to each type of energy source. Analysis techniques to evaluate renewable energy applications from a systems design and selection perspective will be presented. Topics include physical operating principles, theoretical vs. actual system output, energy storage, efficiency and cost analysis. Includes hands-on lab exercises.

The third in a series of technical courses, Renewable Energy III: Installation and Maintenance will provide an introduction to installation and maintenance of renewable energy systems for commercial and residential installations. Students will apply their knowledge of electro-mechanical systems to the application of these systems. Topics covered will include site survey, site preparation, building codes, measurement tools, preventative maintenance and worksite safety. Includes hands-on lab exercises.

This fourth course in the series will concentrate on systems design for renewable energy applications. Students will work together and apply concepts to evaluate, design and select one or more renewable energy systems for solar, wind or micro-hydro installations. Topics will include site surveys, structural elements, electrical generators, energy storage and electrical inversion.

This final class in the Renewable Energy series will concentrate on a capstone project. Students will evaluate a proposal for an alternative energy solution and then design an installation to meet the needs of the proposal. Students will be expected to perform a site survey, quantify energy requirements, select appropriate technologies, calculate the payback period and finally fabricate an actual or conceptual energy solution where appropriate.

This course will introduce Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to monitor and control industrial and renewable energy applications. Students will evaluate, design, and select one or more technologies for remote monitoring and actuation. Topics may include networking, hardware considerations, programming, monitoring systems, relays, motors, driver circuits, and electronics. Includes hands-on lab exercises.

Offers students familiarity and entry level skills to work with alternative fuel systems. Explores (technically, economically and ecologically) the following alternative fuels: bio-diesel, vegetable oils, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, propane, methanol, natural gas, heat engines, fuel cell & hybrid vehicles.

Cooperative work experience. Major emphasis on work-based learning experience in the renewable energy field. Coordination of instruction and evaluation of student job performance will be provided by college faculty in conjunction with the student's employer/supervisor. Variable Credit: 1-12 credits. Required: Student Petition.