Energy and Power: Production, Distribution, and Society

This course is an introduction to energy and power within a societal context.

Useful PrerequisitesEdit

A general knowledge base in these topics will facilitate learning.

ReferencesEdit

TopicsEdit

Energy Consumption: Utility and InequalityEdit

  1. World Portfolio
  2. United States Energy Policy

Basic Ideas: Exercises and ReviewEdit

  1. The Conservation of Energy
  2. Work and Heat in Thermodynamic Analysis
  3. Circuits: Resistors, Capacitors, and Inductors
  4. Transformers, Motors, and Turbines
  5. Distribution of Electric Energy

Energy Sources: Technology, Cost, and PotentialEdit

  1. Special Topic: Non-Renewable, Renewable, Sustainable
  2. Fossil
  3. Nuclear
  4. Solar
  5. Water
  6. Biomass
  7. Wind
  8. Geothermal

Energy Storage and ConversionEdit

  1. Gasification
  2. Waste to Energy
  3. Fuel Cells
  4. Hydrogen
  5. Micro-Turbines
  6. Flywheels
  7. Batteries
  8. Electricity
  9. Distributed Generation
  10. Diesel Generators
  11. Turbines

Building Energy UseEdit

  1. Green Building Design
  2. Time-Dependent Demand
  3. Commercial and Residential

TransportationEdit

  1. Spark Ignition, Diesel, and Hybrid Vehicles
  2. Freight and Shipping
  3. Air Travel

Energy-Intensive Industrial ProcessesEdit

The Path of Emerging TechnologiesEdit

Power Cycles and Car Engine Design

  1. Otto Cycle
  2. Diesel Cycle

Power Cycles and Power Plant DesignEdit

  1. Rankine Cycle
  2. Brayton
  3. Issues in Efficiency and Cost

Combustion and PollutionEdit

  1. Combustion and Chemical Energy
  2. Kinetics
  3. Common Pollutants and Concerns
  4. Regulation

Economics and Energy MarketsEdit

  1. Limited Natural Resource Economics
  2. Pollution Caps and Trading
  3. Electricity
  4. Developmental Economics and Energy
  5. Econometrics and Energy Forecasting

Sustainability and EnergyEdit

  1. Global Warming
  2. Energy Sources and Magnitudes
  3. Special Topic: Consumption, Capitalism, and Unsustainable Growth

The Future: Scenarios of Disaster and OpportunityEdit

  1. Economic and Environmental Forces for Change
  2. The Role of the Engineer: Ideas with Potential

Further readingEdit