Energy Modules for Spring Term 2017

CHEME 6642 Energy Policy all semester
(Lead instructor Muqtadar Quraishi)
Tuesdays 12:20-1:10PM Olin 245
Analyzes the energy policies of public institutions for a range of energy resources. Reviews economic and political determinants of policy. Examines policies that affect/control: pricing mechanisms, energy mix, subsidies, energy conservation/efficiency and the environment. Analyzes their economic and social impacts. Examples drawn from a wide range of settings.

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Part 1:  January – February    

CHEME 6667/CEE 6055 Transportation Energy Systems Tuesday 1/31-Tuesday 2/28,
(Lead instructor Ricardo Daziano and TA Arna Palsdottir)
Tuesday and Thursday 8:40-9:55AM Olin 255
Energy technology module covering transportation energy systems.  Focuses on understanding the link between transportation demand and energy consumption and on how to build a path for a conversion to sustainable energy sources.  Covers engineering systems tools for analyzing the interactions among the transportation, economic, energy, and environmental systems.  Analytical tools from transportation economics and engineering will be covered to assess the energy consumption and environmental effects of long-term projects over complex, large-scale transportation systems.

CHEME 6679 (formerly 6672) Energy Storage Wednesday 1/25-Monday 2/27,
(Lead instructor Tobias Hanrath, with Lynden Archer and Jeff Tester, and TA Mitch Ishmael)
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:10-11:00AM Olin 245
The infrastructure used to transmit, distribute and store chemical, electrical, and thermal energy is extensive, multiscale, and capital intensive.  Coverage in this module includes oil, gas, coal, and electric power transmission and distribution, thermal energy storage, and electrical energy storage and conversion. Technologies evaluated include fuel cells, batteries, compressed air energy storage (CAES), pumped hydro, supercapacitors and flywheels.

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Part 2:  March

CHEME 6671 Nuclear Energy Thursday 3/2-Tuesday 3/28,
(Lead instructors Drs. Antonio Cirielo and Vincenzo Rondinella with David Hammer and TA TBD)
Tuesday and Thursday 8:40-9:55AM Olin 255
This module will provide a description of the operation of nuclear fission power plants in their several manifestations and the fuel cycle associated with them.  Their benefits will be described along with the reasons why they are cause for concern.  Topics will include the principles of reactor operation and control, reactor safety features (natural and engineered), normal and abnormal operation, spent fuel safety and nuclear waste disposal, etc.  Advanced reactors now under construction and to be constructed in the near and more distant future will be discussed.

CHEME 6662 Solar Energy Wednesday 3/1-Friday 3/31,
(Lead instructor Tobias Hanrath with Jeff Tester, and TA Wei (William) Liang)
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:10-11:00AM Olin 245
Solar energy has evolved at an astonishing pace during the last five years.  This module provides a comprehensive overview of solar energy conversion technologies.  Major themes range from fundamental (nuts and bolts) solid-state concepts and operating principles of photovoltaics to manufacturing of cells and modules, balance of system aspects, and perspectives on second- and third-generation photovoltaic technologies.  The module also summarizes solar thermal power technologies including passive and active solar heating, concentrated solar power plants.

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Part 3:  April – May

EAS 6666/CHEME 6666 Unconventional Resources – Natural Gas Development from Shale Formations
Monday 4/10-Monday 5/8,
(Lead instructor Terry Jordan with Martin Evans and Michal Moore and TA Wei Liang)
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:10-11:00AM Olin 245
Content covers engineering analysis methods for assessment of current and future energy technologies and association with natural gas and from shale formations as well as heavy oil and tar sands with specific topics on resource assessment; energy extraction, conversion, and utilization; environmental issues and impacts; and economics with emphasis on meeting regional and global energy needs in the 21st century in a sustainable manner.

CHEME 6661 Bioenergy and Biofuels Tuesday 4/11-Thursday 5/4,
(Lead instructor Jeff Tester with Roy Posmanik and Deborah Sills and TAs Arna Palsdottir and Mitch Ishmael)
Tuesday and Thursday 8:40-9:55AM Olin 255
This module will introduce students to issues and challenges in utilizing biomass feedstocks to produce bioenergy, biofuels and/or other products.  The focus varies from semester to semester, for example in spring 2017 we will be focusing on converting biomass feedstocks to bioenergy using a variety of thermochemical processes.  In the case study that will be presented in spring 2017, material covered will include biomass feedstock cultivation and harvesting, processing and conversion technologies, co-products, and environmental and economic impacts over their full life cycle.  The course will culminate in a final project in which students will use Life Cycle Assessment to measure the energetic viability and environmental performance.