everything.study
2.650

Introduction to Sustainable Energy

3-1-8 units · Undergraduate

See description under subject 22.081[J] . Limited to juniors and seniors.

Fall 2010

Topics

  • Introduction
  • Overview of energy use and related issues
  • Toolbox 1: Energy transfer and conversion methods
  • Recitation 1: Discussion of sustainability issues
  • Toolbox 2: Resource evaluation and depletion analyses
  • Toolbox 3: Energy conversion, transmission, and storage
  • “Wind power fundamentals.” (contributions from Alex Kalmikov & Kathy Araujo)
  • Toolbox 4: Systems analysis methodologies
  • Toolbox 5: Energy supply, demand, and storage planning
  • Toolbox 6: Electrical systems dynamics
  • Toolbox 7: Economic feasibility assessment methods
  • Toolbox 8: Thermodynamics and efficiency calculations
  • Nuclear energy I: Basics and current status
  • Fossil energy I
  • Cape Wind energy and offshore wind projects
  • Current energy policy
  • Fossil energy III
  • Electricity generation options
  • Nuclear energy II: Waste disposal and Yucca Mountain
  • Nuclear energy III: Expansion of civilian nuclear power and proliferation
  • Fusion as a future energy source?
  • Carbon management options
  • Geothermal energy
  • Recitation 2: Carbon limitation options / critique (student-led discussion)
  • Biomass I: Resources and uses
  • Biomass II: Producing liquid fuels
  • Lifecycle analysis of biomass conversion
  • Toolbox 9: Probabilistic risk analysis
  • Recitation 3: Current energy policy / critique (student-led discussion)
  • Hydropower
  • Course summary, panel discussion

Prerequisites & course information

Same subject as 10.291[J] , 22.081[J] Subject meets with 1.818[J] , 2.65[J] , 10.391[J] , 11.371[J] , 22.811[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor U (Fall) 3-1-8 units

Sources