Conference proceeding
An Undergraduate Course on Renewable Energy Conversion Systems for Engineering Technology Students
Association for Engineering Education - Engineering Library Division Papers, p22.201.1
26 Jun 2011
Abstract
An Undergraduate Course on Renewable Energy Conversion Systems for Engineering Technology StudentsIn the present power scenario the demand for electrical power is increasing and conventionalenergy resources are fast depleting. In this context, the exploitation of renewable energy sourcesfor the generation of electrical power is the only alternative. Interest in the production ofelectricity from renewable energy sources and by fuel cells is rapidly increasing. The renewableenergy sector is growing rapidly with both the global and national level. The solar and windenergy industries alone are seeing more than a 20% growth per annum over the last five years.Furthermore, the market for fuel cells for standalone and static power generation is also startingto grow. There have been significant advances in renewable energy conversion technologies, aswell as increased demand for engineers, technologists and technicians trained in this area. Thisrequires the development of innovative curricula, new courses, and laboratories to educateengineering students to work in this rapidly developing industry. This paper presents thedevelopment of a multi-disciplinary course on alternative energy wind/photovoltaic/fuel cellpower generation. The motivation for the course is outlined and a detailed description of thetopics covered in the course is given. Sample student projects, and students’ responses, as well asthe students’ evaluations to the course are also presented. The course is a part of our newprojected renewable energy concentration of the Engineering Technology program at ouruniversity. The course is also offered as an elective for the new graduate EngineeringTechnology program at our university. Our curriculum covers fields like electronics, electricmachines, energy conversion, power electronics, materials and control. It is also necessary tolearn about the renewable energy systems and their applications and interactions with powersystems. This curse in principle focuses on renewable energy sources, conversion technologiesand the impacts of the renewable energy conversion systems on power systems. One objective ofthis paper is to present our effort in developing the course and the supporting laboratory and topresent the course outline and content, including the subjects, projects, experiments andreferences. An important part of this course is student project implementation and presentation.Each student is required to pick a project topic (on system design, system modeling, or analysis)by the end of the fifth week of the term and have it approved by the course instructor. They workon their project during the remainder of the term at the end of which they submit a written reporton their project and also give an oral presentation to the class. 1
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Details
- Title
- An Undergraduate Course on Renewable Energy Conversion Systems for Engineering Technology Students
- Creators
- Radian G. BeluIrina Nicoleta Ciobanescu Husanu
- Publication Details
- Association for Engineering Education - Engineering Library Division Papers, p22.201.1
- Publisher
- American Society for Engineering Education-ASEE
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Engineering Leadership and Society/Engineering Technology
- Identifiers
- 991019222807804721