Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems
The goal of this course is to explore the most common renewable energy generation technologies and examine their role in the North American power system. The course will open with an introduction on the conventional generation systems and the existing power system infrastructure. Learning emphasis will then be placed on Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Wind Energy Systems. For each of these two technologies, we will first investigate the energy resource in detail and provide tools for estimation of the amount of energy available from the resource in different locations and at different times. We will then analyze the devices that help us harness and convert that energy resource into electric energy. Effective models are developed for each of these devices that are useful for detailed quantitative analysis. For example, given wind-speed characteristics at a potential wind farm site, we will estimate the amount of energy that can ultimately be extracted. Other renewable technologies may also be covered at a high level, depending on the availability of time and the students’ interest. This is considered a first course on renewable energy systems and does not require extensive background in power systems. Students are, however, assumed to be comfortable with Circuit Analysis, which is used in developing equivalent circuit models for PV devices. Prior knowledge of electric machines and power system elements would be helpful but it is not strictly necessary.
3 credits
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