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ESP 313 Renewable Energy

Fall Semester 2017

Catalog Data:

This course uses the basic principles learned in associated courses and allows students to apply

them to energy (especially renewable) use relevant to Maine and the world. Students will be

expected to propose, develop, and work on a semester-long project related to renewable energy,

or an allied field. The course will culminate with a final project, report and presentation.

Prerequisites: Freshman Chemistry, ESP 275 (for DES students), or Permission of

instructor. Cr 3.

Textbook: Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future, 3rd Edition, Boyle.

Instructors: Dr. James V. Masi, Professor. JMC 135, 780-5695, and Bailey

105B. james.masi@maine.edu

Lectures: Th 12:30 pm - 3:00pm Bailey 206-G, Lab Th as announced.

Office Hours: Bailey 105B, T, Th 10 – 11:30 a.m., or by appointment.

Introduction:

There is greatly increased recognition that renewable energy could provide a major proportion of

the world’s needs by the middle of the twenty first century, given adequate investment in

research, development, and deployment. But if this renewable energy potential is to be realized,

the world will need many more professionals with a thorough knowledge of renewable energy

systems, including the underlying science, the technologies, and their sustainability impacts

(environmental, economic, social). Climate Change is Real and we have a stewardship to fulfil.

Course objectives:

This course will equip students with knowledge of renewable energy systems (including solar,

wind, geothermal, and biomass), their underlying physical and technological principles, their

environmental impact, their economics, and how they can be integrated into current energy

infrastructures. The course will rely on textbook assignments to achieve basic understanding,

while class time will be used to present summary learning modules to support the textbook,

while spending more time on implementation and environmental issues. Students will be

expected to complete a team projects and presentation, consisting of a case study of an energy

project or technology completed recently in Maine or elsewhere. This can range from a home

geothermal installation, a solar energy system project, to a large wind farm project, but it should

consider contacting an authority/company affiliated with the project.

Topical Lecture Schedule (subject to change)

Weekly Units Readings/Assignments Week 1: Introduction (Energy, renewable landscape,

sustainability, heat transfer, scare the students)

Readings: Boyle Ch. 1;

EIA Energy in

Brief. Also see Bb site.

Assignment: HW 1 Week 2: Intro to renewable energy/solar, Thermal Lab; Readings: See Bb site

Assignment: Complete lab write

up.

Copyright 2018 James V. Masi

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Week 3: Solar Thermal and Solar PV Technologies Readings: Boyle Ch. 2&3. Also

see Bb site

Assignment: HW 2 Week 4: Solar PV Lab Readings: See Bb site

Assignment: Complete lab write

up. Week 5: Bioenergy; Biodiesel demo Readings: Boyle Ch. 4

Assignment: HW 3 Week 6: Hydropower; Tidal/Wave Energy, Ocean Energy,

Hydropower demo

Readings: Read Boyle Ch. 5

Assignment: HW 4 Take Home Exam I Take Home Exam I

Week 7: Wind Energy I; Project intro Readings: Boyle Ch. 7

Assignment: HW 5 Week 8: Wind II, Wind Lab Readings: See Bb site

Assignment: Complete lab write

up. Week 9: Geothermal; Heat Pumps, demo

Project update

Readings: Boyle Ch. 9

Assignment: Complete lab write

up; HW 6 Week 10: Batteries and Fuel Cells; Lab Readings: Boyle Ch. 6 and Ch. 8

Assignment: Complete lab write

up Week 11: The Hydrogen Economy, Energy Harvesting,

Materials for RE

Readings: TBD

Assignment: Prep for Project

Take Home Exam II Take Home Exam II

Week 12: Project Time

Week 13: Project Time

Week 14: Project Presentations and Paper Due i.e.Exam III

Grading:

The grading breakdown is as follows: 1) Exam I = 20%

2) Exam II = 20% 3) Exam III/Project = 30% 4) Homework = 25%

5) Responsiveness and attitude = 5% (at least being there)

Rules of the Game:

All homework is to be handed in at the designated time. One homework assignment will be

dropped to allow for illness etc. It is expected that the students will complete the large measure of

the assigned homework since they will be proportionately graded. Speak the facts! If you have a

problem, tell the professor….he’s been there too!

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1992

The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1992 mandates the elimination of discrimination against persons with disabilities. If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a

disability, please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities 242 LB, 780-4706, TTY

780-4395. At any point in the semester, if you encounter difficulty with the course or feel you

could be performing at a higher level, please see me.

Copyright 2018 James V. Masi

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Storm Closings

Due to regional weather considerations, USM occasionally cancels classes and other activities. Class cancellations are announced on the web site www.usm.maine.edu and on the USM Storm Line 207-780-4800 and on radio and television. Sometimes these cancellations are only until noon, or only until 4 p.m., and sometimes they are for the entire day, so listen to the entire message. You can also get storm closings TXT’d to you: http://www.usm.maine.edu/computing. In the event of a class cancellation, materials will be administered via Blackboard.

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

Any student who is unable, because of his/her religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate

in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any

such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to

make up such examination, study, or work requirement which he/she may have missed because of

such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such makeup examination or work

shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school.

NOTE: Students may also contact the professor by email, and, if their outside work

schedule conflicts, submit assignments on time via email. Some additional help topics

may be sent to all students in order to clarify some particular topical matter. All

assignments, announcements, course materials, due dates, and grades will be posted on

Blackboard. Consult Blackboard often!!!!!!

Fall 2017

Classes Begin Monday, August 28

Last day to drop for 100% refund

(Classes 12 weeks or more) Sunday, September 10

Labor Day Monday, September 4

Registration for Winter Session Monday, September 18

Fall Break Monday, October 9 - Tuesday, October 10

Classes Resume Wednesday, October 11

Last day to drop for a grade of

"W"

(Classes 12 weeks or more)

Wednesday, November 1

Priority Registration for 2018 Monday, November 6 - Friday, November 17

Veterans' Day Friday, November 10

Thanksgiving Break Wednesday, November 22 - Friday,

November 24

Classes Resume Monday, November 27

Open Registration for Spring

2018 Monday, November 27

Classes End Friday, December 8

Final Examination Saturday, December 9 - Friday, December 15

Grade Submission Deadline Friday, December 22

Copyright 2018 James V. Masi