ENGR 3601:Fundamentals of Renewable Energy

3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Engineering Standing Requirements
This course reviews various renewable energy sources to meet the increasing global energy demand of the 21st century in a sustainable manner. The course introduces the fundamental energy conversion principles, energy economics, and the current status of renewable sources, such as Hydroelectric, Wind, Solar Thermal, Solar Photovoltaics, Ocean Waves, Tidal, Geothermal, and Biomass energy. The course also discusses the basic concepts of renewable energy integration to the grid and various energy storage technologies. The course integrates projects on solar thermal, wind and solar photovoltaic systems and concludes with a project where students effectively apply their knowledge to conceptualize and design an alternative energy harvesting device.