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CABRILLO COLLEGE      Fall 2006

C.E.M.163
FUNDAMENTALS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS


Thursday evenings, 6 - 9:10 pm
Room 615 (Science Building)

JOE JORDAN, Instructor


Office Hours: Thursdays, 5-6 p.m., Room 615
email: jjordan@sky-power.org
phone: 831-477-5201
CEM DEPARTMENT WEBSITE:   http://www.cabrillo.cc.ca.us/divisions/becho/cem/


 
Course Overview:
An introduction to solar- based renewable energy systems. Taught by NASA scientist Joe Jordan, this course will cover solar thermal and electric systems, windpower, biomass, small-hydro, geothermal, ocean (wave and tidal) power, and hydrogen/fuel cells. With hands-on sustainable energy projects, the basic math and science, field trips, and excellent guest speakers from the business and scientific world, emphasis will be on meeting diverse students' individual needs in connecting what you do and what you want to do with the growing renewable energy industry. We will look at setting ourselves up with these technologies and/or promoting the expansion of renewable energy in our economy, as well as on employment and/or service opportunities. This course is part of the Construction and Energy Management program.

Scope:
This course is a broad introduction to solar and other renewable energy sources. It will cover energy basics, solar basics: active and passive solar, solar-thermal and solar-electric; wind; water (hydropower, wave and tidal power); biofuel and biomass resources; geothermal power; energy storage and hydrogen fuel cells. Both large- and small-scale, grid-interactive and stand-alone systems will be discussed. Energy collection, site evaluation, design analysis of various systems, material use, and methods of construction ("green building") will also be covered, along with overviews of California and US energy policy and global energy use.

Required Course Reader:
Cabrillo College CEM 163 Fall 2003 (available at PrintSmith in Aptos, approx.$30)
Note on text: The assembled text is a very comprehensive book on renewable energy that covers a wide spectrum of systems and material. In addition, you will be given handouts from supplemental sources for lectures.
Call PrintSmith at 831-688-1538 to order your copy.

Some Recommended Readings:
(most of the titles below, as well as additional selections, will be available in the Reserve section of the Cabrillo College library)

Power Down options and actions for a post-carbon world by Richard Heinberg

The Solar Economy by Herman Scheer

Energy Revolution policies for a sustainable future by Howard Geller

The Party's Over by Richard Heinberg

The Hydrogen Economy by Jeremy Rifkin

The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight: Waking Up to Personal and Global Transformation Hartmann, Walsch, Chilton Pearce

Natural Capitalism by Hawken and Lovins

From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank by Joshua Tickell

Practical Photovoltaics by Richard J. Komp

The Art of Natural Building ed. by Joseph F. Kennedy, et al

Building without Borders sustainable construction for the global village ed by Joseph F. Kennedy

The Natural House by Daniel D. Chiras

Straw Bale Building by Chris Magwood and Peter Mack

Global Warming by Andrew Revkin

Charging Ahead by John J. Berger

Fuel From Water energy independence with hydrogen by Michael A. Peavey

Alcohol Can Be a Gas by David Blume

Hydrogen Futures toward a sustainable energy system (worldwatch paper #157) by Seth Dunn

The Solar Hydrogen Civilization by Roy McAlister

Who Owns the Sun? by Daniel M. Berman and John T. O'Connor

Renewables are Ready by Nancy Cole and P.J. Skerrett

 

ATTENDANCE
Class attendance is critical and will be noted. The funding for community colleges is largely based upon student attendance and excessive absence is reason for being dropped from class. Excessive absence is defined as more than two absences during the semester. If you are absent for illness or personal necessity inform me by leaving a message at my e-mail (above). This will not excuse your responsibility for the lecture material but will indicate your continued interest in the class.

Deliverables:

TESTS/GRADES/PROJECTS
There will be at least one quiz (announced three or more weeks ahead of time) and a final exam, which will be used (along with attendance and class participation) to determine the course grade. Quiz/test questions will come from material covered in the lectures and assigned reading materials.

The other key basis for evaluation of student performance will be the research paper (somewhere around 5 pages long) or project (building or making a model, demonstration device, or real construction or home improvement). A course project will be required of all participants to receive credit. See below for a list of possible projects. You are encouraged to form "Communities of Interest" and collaborate on your projects.

Your topic selection must be submitted by the 4th class (September 25th).

The final papers/projects are due on Thursday, December 4.


If you desire the credit/no-credit option you must inform me early in the semester.


STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
We encourage students with disabilities, including “invisible” disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning, and psychological disabilities, to explain their needs and appropriate accommodations to me during my office hour. If possible, please bring a verification of your disability from the Learning Skills or DSP&S offices and/or a counselor or specialist’s recommendations for accommodating your needs.

ENERGY BASICS - A SELF-PACED TUTORIAL
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DATE
Lecture Topic (schedule may be subject to change)
9-4 Registration, Introductions, Class/Project Overview.
Conventional non-renewable sources of energy: what’s up?
Global warming, population pressure and energy growth worldwide.
National energy policy: Is bigger really better? ...Is small beautiful?
9-11 Energy Basics; Solar Energy Fundamentals
What is energy? How do you measure it? Industry experiences...
Second law of thermodynamics; Solar orientation and siting;
Video: "Renewable Power: Earth's Clean Energy Destiny"
Guest speaker/presenter: Michael Drury, Solar Technologies
9-18 Slide Presentation: Overview of Renewable Energy Technologies;
Astronomy, Meteorology, and Economics Relevant to Renewable Energy
Use of Solar Pathfinder instrument for "solar prospecting"
9-25 Solar Electricity: Photovoltaics (PV)
How PV’s work
Grid-tied and stand-alone systems
Economics of PV systems
Guest speaker/presenter: Mike Arenson, Eco-Energies
NOTE: TOPIC SUMMARY ON RESEARCH PAPER / PROJECT DUE
10-2 Biomass Energy and Biofuels: Biodiesel and Alcohol
Guest speakers/presenters: Weston Miller -- Biodiesel and Vegetable Oil
David Blume -- Methanol and Ethanol Fuels
10-9 Electric Vehicles and Transportation Systems
Guest speaker/presenter: Dick Rahders
Batteries
Personal-Rapid-Transit
10-16 Energy Efficiency and Conservation
The technology and economics of conservation
Industry / residential conservation potential
Increased efficiency vs. curtailment
Guest speaker/presenter: Len Beyea, Noresco (energy services corp.)
10-23 Field trip: All-Solar Home (Passive/PV/Hot-Water) near Santa Cruz
10-30 Field trip: Straw-Bale Home near Capitola Village
11-6 Solar Hot-Water Systems
Selected Research Topic Presentations
11-13 Windpower
History of wind energy development: mechanical/electrical
Basics of wind energy systems
Wind siting, wind farms, and the global use of wind energy
11-20 Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Micro-Power Systems
Hybrid systems, co-generation, solar-produced hydrogen
Guest speaker/presenter: Byron Anderson, S.F. City College
Selected Research Topic Presentations
11-27 Thanksgiving Holiday – NO CLASS
12-4 Water Energy
Large scale hydropower and its constraints
Small-scale hydropower
Wave and tidal power
Guest speaker/presenter: Don Harris, Harris Hydroelectric Systems
NOTE: RESEARCH PAPERS / PROJECTS DUE
12-11 Geothermal Energy
Selected Research Topic Presentations
12-18 FINAL CLASS Presentations: EXAM

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SOME PROJECT IDEAS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS

A course project will be required of all participants to receive credit. See below for a list of possible projects. You are encouraged to form "Communities of Interest" and collaborate on your projects.

1. Build or make something using a renewable energy system. Develop a report
and/or demonstration to share with the class and the community. How is this an
appropriate use of renewable energy? How does it work? How could others use it?
What are its advantages/disadvantages? Costs? Please discuss your idea with Joe, so he can help you assemble the resources you need.

Here are several possibilities for making things -- Talk to Joe if any of these interest you:

--- small wind turbine - ...kit(s)could be ordered and received with a short turnaround time) < http://www.picoturbine.com >

--- solar-PV kits and electronic circuitry

--- solar ovens (box cookers, etc.) (Write a Solar Cooking book?)

--- concentrating solar collectors (parabolic dish with just
cardboard and aluminum foil, e.g. --reach temperatures of several
hundred degrees)

--- solar-PV cell using berry juice!  <http://www.solideas.com >

... Joe has one  of the kits, with a good booklet that tells how to make
this, as  well as a lot of excellent scientific background.  Some UCSC
 graduate students in Thimann 135 are making these, and have  generously offered to help a student or two through the  process, using the facilities of that lab!  Sue Carter's lab in the  UCSC physics dept. can probably also provide us, free, some of the components we'd need.)

Build a working solar energy demonstration model, with series and parallel circuits, pump, buzzer, switches, lights, etc. to take to schools and fairs.

Design a grid-tied solar electric system for your house. Cost it out, including the California State rebate in your metrics.

Volunteers are needed to help design and install small hydro and solar systems at Indian Canyon, an indigenous sacred area near Hollister. <http://www.indiancanyon.org/>

A solar pump and filtration system for a backyard pond, and landscape lighting.

Convert your car or motorcycle. Learn about how to transform transportation with alcohol and biodeisel fuels, then share what you know with others.

Design and build a prototype compact "Renter's" solar electric home system.

Promote and organize energy conservation and solar energy conversion in your workplace and document the process.

 

2. Following are some areas of research you may want to investigate. When you have become an expert on your topic, please develop a report to share your findings in some medium, so that others may benefit from what you have learned. For example, you may want to write a report, make a website or video, create a poster, do a demonstration, or write a play, etc.


At present, silicon is the predominant substance used in the manufacture
of solar cells (photovoltaic, "PV", modules).  As we'll see, other
materials may someday take over that leading role, but for now at least
the solar-electric industry has the second most abundant element in the
earth's crust (Si) to work with.  But are there problems with toxic
by-products and/or high energy/water use associated with the
process of making  these things?  What toxics are typically released to the
environment, and what is (or could be) done about this?  (I don't know the answers
to these  important questions;  I'd like somebody to help me find out!)


The leading authority on the global-warming "debate" is the IPCC
 (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) assembled by the U.N.
-- a group of hundreds of the world's foremost atmospheric and other scientists
who have issued a series of reports, with good executive summaries that
would be well worth reading and reporting on.  (The Union of Concerned
Scientists has good links to this material:  <http://www.ucsusa.org >
 
Study and report on the sun as an energy source, the physical processes that
power it,  its effects on the earth < http://www.spaceweather.com > , etc.

Study and report on the history of climate on the earth, including ice ages (and their
relationships to astronomical cycles in the earth's orbit around
the sun). Explore the somewhat puzzling relationships between past
atmospheric CO2 (carbon dioxide) levels and temperatures.

Research and write a pictoral report on passive solar building techniques and designs.

Research and write a grant for solar education.

Write one of the Modules for the Energy Basics Tutorial being developed on this website.

Design your solar dream home, and/or sustainable solar neighborhood/community.

Study biomass as an energy source (solar energy stored by photosynthesis)
 -- including such projects as the Veggie Van that runs on biodiesel fuel
made from recycled french-fry oil from fast-food joints! ( < http://www.veggievan.org > ... and book, From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank, by Josh and Kaia Tickell) See Joe's interview with Josh at <http://www.bluebirdcreek.net/interview.html> Investigate the Berkeley biodiesel co-op and, perhaps, develop your own veggie taxi business.


Study wave power (a potentially vast resource, driven mostly by the wind and thus, ultimately, the sun).  At < http://www.wavegen.com > there are instructions for making a simple demonstration wavepower generator to illustrate how the motions of water and air can turn a turbine, etc.  There's also a great tidal-power resource;  at < http://www.bluenergy.com > you can find plans for underwater hydroturbines that can generate tremendous amounts of electricity. (One is  being designed for a strait near the north S.F.Bay.)


Study the enormous, exciting potential of hydrogen as the fuel of the future (and the best way to store and transport solar energy). Investigate the safety issues and compare with other fuels like gasoline. ...It might be possible for a student or two to try to work with a fuel-cell kit I've borrowed from a local teacher.  (Or at least report on  fuel-cell technology.)

Research and report on job opportunities in the developing Renewable Energy Industry. Be creative!

Compile a practical "nuts and bolts" sourcebook for builders, designers, and homeowners of renewable and sustainable energy and building vendors and resources available now, including costs and ordering information.

Research and report on renewables in the Developing World, including opportunities for work and volunteering.

Research and report on the political economics of energy and power.


Nuclear power is being promoted as an "alternative" energy source
because it does not involve emisions of "greenhouse gases" widely considered responsible for climate change.  But dealing with the wastes from the nuclear industry
could become a geologic nightmare.  Investigate and report on scientific aspects of the proposed government repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.

Some Web Resources:

(You will find many more when you start searching. Someone may want to expand, catalog and organize renewable energy web resources as their project........)