Small Scale Energy Sources, ENSP 438, Spring 2015
Instructor Daniel Soto
Office Rachel Carson Hall 12
Email sotod@sonoma.edu
Meeting Time M/W 2:00 -- 3:50 pm
Classroom Environmental Technology Center (ETC)
Units 4

Course Description

Course will focus on functional design of small-scale wind, photovoltaic, biomass, and hydroelectric energy sources. Siting, evaluating potentially available power, design of fully operable installation, and by-products and waste streams will be discussed. Energy storage mechanisms, interconnections to existing energy networks, and energy cost comparisons will be examined. Prerequisite: ENSP 338, ENSP majors, junior- or senior-level standing, or consent of instructor.

Class Text

The required text for this course is:

Gil Masters, Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems, 2nd Edition. Available at the Campus Bookstore and at Northlight Books. There is also an online version of the text available on the Sonoma Library website.

Course Requirements

This course assumes a solid background in algebra, trigonometric functions, and physics. Students should come to class having completed the assigned reading and be ready to perform guided problem solving during class. Students will complete a project at the end of the class and give a written report and presentation that integrates what they have learned in the class.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand science and economics of renewable electricity sources
  • Perform detailed calculations of energy production and economic value of renewable energy sources
  • Communicate quantitative aspects of electricity generation

Homework

Homework will be graded pass or fail. In order to earn a pass the work must

  • Be sufficiently clear that the reader can immediately reproduce your work
  • Follow conventions of units, scientific notation, and mathematical notation
  • Explain with prose enough of your approach for the reader to follow your reasoning

The point of most quantitative work is not only to arrive at an answer but to communicate the answer to others. By meeting the objectives above, you will gain practice in this skill.

Classroom Work

We will often have classroom work or quizzes during class time. If you have an unexcused absence on that day, you will receive a no credit grade for that days work.

Project

You will research a project with a team. By the end of the class you will turn in a final draft and give a presentation. You will also provide feedback to your classmates at various stages of their project.

Grading

This class will not be graded according to a usual percentage of points earned. Instead, you will earn your grade by successfully completing a bundle of assignments. These bundles are described below.

D

  • Earn a 70% average on exams
  • Earn a 70% average on quizzes
  • Complete at least 6 homework problems

C

  • Earn a 70% average on exams
  • Earn a 70% average on quizzes
  • Complete at least 8 homework problems

B

  • Earn a 70% average on exams
  • Earn a 70% average on quizzes
  • Complete at least 10 homework problems
  • Complete a research project

A

  • Earn a 70% average on exams
  • Earn a 70% average on quizzes
  • Complete at least 12 homework problems
  • Complete at least 3 advanced homework problems
  • Complete a research project

Course Schedule

  • Wed 21 Jan 2015 - Introduction
  • Mon 26 Jan 2015 - Circuits Review
  • Wed 28 Jan 2015 - Finance Review
    • Reading Due: Luenberger Ch 1 and 2, REEPS Appendix A
    • Homework Due: Homework 1
  • Mon 02 Feb 2015 - Energy Economics
    • Reading Due: Kirschen 1-2.3, REEPS2 Ch 1
  • Wed 04 Feb 2015 - Energy Economics
    • Homework Due: Homework 2, 3
  • Mon 09 Feb 2015 - Load and Demand
    • Reading Due: REEPS 9.1-9.5
    • Project Due: Brainstorm 3 topics
  • Wed 11 Feb 2015 - Load and Demand
    • Homework Due: Homework 4, 5
  • Mon 16 Feb 2015 - Solar Energy Fundamentals
    • Reading Due: REEPS2 Ch 4
  • Wed 18 Feb 2015 - Solar Energy Fundamentals
    • Homework Due: Homework 6, 7
  • Mon 23 Feb 2015 - Photovoltaic Fundamentals
    • Reading Due: REEPS2 Ch 5
    • Project Due: Choose topic and teams
  • Wed 25 Feb 2015 - Photovoltaic Fundamentals
    • Homework Due: Homework 8, 9
  • Mon 02 Mar 2015 - Storage
    • Reading Due: REEPS 6.5
  • Wed 04 Mar 2015 - Storage
    • Reading Due: REEPS 8.6
    • Homework Due: Homework 10.1, 10.2
  • Mon 09 Mar 2015 - Review
  • Wed 11 Mar 2015 - Midterm
  • Mon 23 Mar 2015 - PV System Design
    • Reading Due: REEPS2 6.1 - 6.5
  • Wed 25 Mar 2015 - PV system design
    • Project Due: Project outline
  • Mon 30 Mar 2015 - Solar economics
  • Wed 01 Apr 2015 - Solar economics
    • Project Due: Outline feedback
  • Mon 06 Apr 2015 - Wind Energy Fundamentals
    • Reading Due: REEPS2 7.1 - 7.5
  • Wed 08 Apr 2015 - Wind Energy Fundamentals
    • Reading Due: REEPS2 7.6 - 7.10
    • Homework Due: Sections 11, 12, 13
  • Mon 13 Apr 2015 - Wind Turbine Fundamentals
    • Project Due: First draft
  • Wed 15 Apr 2015 - Wind Turbine Fundamentals
    • Homework Due: Section 14
  • Mon 20 Apr 2015 - Wind economics
    • Project Due: First draft feedback
  • Wed 22 Apr 2015 - Wind economics
    • Homework Due: TBD
  • Mon 27 Apr 2015 - Developing world
    • Reading Due: TBA
  • Wed 29 Apr 2015 - Presentations
    • Project Due: Final report
  • Mon 04 May 2015 - Presentations
  • Wed 06 May 2015 - Review

Agreements

Respectful tone in classroom

Civility is required from all students during discussions and interactions. In general, I expect students to be supportive of each others learning goals.

Minimize electronic distractions

Internet-connected electronic devices (phones, tablets) may be used in class for learning purposes. Using devices for social networks or other uses during class time is strongly discouraged.

Willingness to take risks and experiment

I frequently try new approaches to teaching and learning. These are always with the intention of making this class as beneficial to you as possible.

Office Hours

Signup is online and can be accessed through my website at danielrsoto.com

University Policies

There are important University policies that you should be aware of, such as the add/drop policy; cheating and plagiarism policy, grade appeal procedures; accommodations for students with disabilities and the diversity vision statement. Go to this URL to find them. http://www.sonoma.edu/uaffairs/policies/studentinfo.shtml