COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Biofuels include ethanol from grain or sugar, diesel fuel from soybeans, ethanol from cellulosic feedstock, and several other feedstock/fuel combinations. This course provides information about the Biomass Research and Development Board's seven point Action Plan for development of biofuels. There is also information about and a comparison among the wide variety of possible biofuels, with greatest emphasis on those either already in commercial production or close to commercial production capability. There's detail about the production of ethanol from cellulosic feedstocks, which still needs some developmental work, but has great near term potential. Finally there is information about switchgrass, which has great potential as a crop to be used as a cellulosic feedstock for ethanol production.

This course is intended primarily for energy, civil, mechanical, chemical, environmental, and industrial engineers. Someone completing this course will gain knowledge about basic biofuels technologies.

In this course, you need to review the Training Material file, which is made up of four NREL and DOE documents: "National Biofuels Action Plan," "From Biomass to Biofuels,NREL Leads the Way" "Research Advances Cellulosic Ethanol, NREL Leads the Way," and "Biofuels from Switchgrass: Greener Energy Pastures."

Upon completing your review of the course material, you need to take a multiple choice quiz consisting of fifteen (15) questions to earn 3 PDH credits. The quiz will be based on the entire document. 80% correct is required for a quiz passing grade.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will learn:

• The basic concepts of biofuel technology
• The production processes involved in converting biomass to biofuel
• The comparative features of nine different feedstock/fuel combinations
• The plan of action for the multi-agency R&D board for biofuel development
• Research advances and future goals for producing cellulosic theanol biofuel
• The dynamics involved in developing switchgrass biomass into biofuel

Course Author Profile: Harlan Bengson, Ph, PE

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

This three PDH course provides information about various aspects of the hydrogen-based fuel cell and an introduction to several other fuels and fuel cell technologies. Hydrogen fuel cells present great promise for the future and have significant advantages over the internal combustion engine, or even hybrid technologies for automobile use. There is, however, a need for infrastructure development for hydrogen production, storage and delivery, as well as for development of the fuel cells themselves.

This course is intended for engineers of all disciplines who want to learn more about this new type of renewable energy. Someone who completes this course will gain knowledge about the history of the fuel cell, basics of its operation, comparison of fuel cells with other power sources, and details of several aspects of fuel cells.

In this course, you need to review the material in the Department of Energy/Los Alamos National Laboratory publication, LA-UR-99-3231, "Fuel Cells - Green Power".

Upon completing your review of the course material, you need to take a multiple choice quiz consisting of fifteen (15) questions to earn 3 PDH credits. The quiz will be based on the entire document. 80% correct is required for a quiz passing grade.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will

• Be familiar with the basic history of the fuel cell and its development
• Be familiar with the basic operating principles of the PEM fuel cell
• Understand the efficiency advantages of converting chemical energy directly to electrical energy without thermal energy as an intermediate
• Be able to compare fuel cells, internal combustion engines, and batteries
• Be familiar with the characteristics of various types of fuel cells
• Be familiar with alternative fuels, other than hydrogen for fuel cells
• Be familiar with the electrochemistry of the hydrogen based fuel cell
• Be familiar with components and the overall configuration of a PEM fuel cell
• Be able to identify potential applications of fuel cells

Course Author Profile: Harlan Bengson, Ph, PE

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

The geothermal energy potential beneath our feet is vast. This tremendous resource amounts to 50,000 times the energy of all oil and gas resources in the world. Also, geothermal energy is clean. It represents a promising solution for the nation and the world as they become ever more concerned about global warming, pollutions and rising fossil fuel energy prices. This course covers the basics of today's geothermal energy capabilities and technologies, as well as policies and potential barriers to geothermal resource development.

This course is intended primarily for energy, civil, mechanical, chemical, environmental, and industrial engineers. An attendee of this course will gain knowledge about the basics of geothermal energy capabilities and technologies.

In this course, you need to review the material in the U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy publication #GO-10200502189, "Geothermal Today."

Upon completing your review of the course material, you need to take a multiple choice quiz consisting of fifteen (15) questions to earn 3 PDH credits. The quiz will be based on the entire document. 80% correct is required for a quiz passing grade.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will

• Be familiar with the different types of geothermal resources
• Be familiar with the limitation of different types of geothermal resources
• Be familiar with enhanced geothermal systems and how they work
• Be familiar with the Raft River geothermal project
• Be familiar with the GeoPowering the West initiative

Course Author Profile: Harlan Bengson, Ph, PE

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

The use of photovoltaic systems for converting sunlight into electricity has been expanding rapidly. This course includes an overview of progress in the field; basic information about the photovoltaic effect; discussion of several different types of solar cells (including single-crystal silicon, semi-crystalline & polycrystalline silicon, thin-film solar cells, gallium arsenide PV cells, and multifunction devices); and information about modules, arrays and systems of solar PV cells.

This course is intended for energy, mechanical, electrical, chemical, construction, civil, and industrial engineers. Someone who completes this course will gain knowledge about the photovoltaic effect, a variety of types of PV cells, and procedures for putting cells together into modules, arrays and systems.

In this course, you need to review the material in the course content file, "Fundamentals of Photovoltaics," which is a publication produced under the Solar Technical Information Program at the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Upon completing your review of the course material, you need to take a multiple choice quiz consisting of thirty (30) questions to earn 6 PDH credits. The quiz will be based on the entire document. 80% correct is required for a quiz passing grade.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will

• Be familiar with the photovoltaic effect and how it can be used to convert sunlight into electricity
• Be familiar with an atomic description of silicon
• Know how light absorption creates charge carriers
• Know how doping is used to create n-type silicon
• Know how doping is used to create p-type silicon
• Know the relationship between energy band gap level and type of solar radiation absorbed
• Be familiar with the components of single cell silicon cells
• Be familiar with the processes used to produce single crystal silicon cells
• Be familiar with the components of semi-crystalline and polycrystalline silicon cells
• Be familiar with the processes used to produce semi-crystalline and polycrystalline cells
• Be familiar with the components of thin-film solar cells
• Be familiar with the processes used to produce thin-film solar cells
• Be familiar with Gallium Arsenide solar cells and how they are produced
• Be familiar with multi-junction devices and how they are produced
• Be familiar with the method of producing PV modules from single crystal silicon cells
• Be familiar with the method of producing PV modules for thin-film solar cells
• Be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of flat-plate collectors as compared with concentrating solar collectors
• Know the components of a solar PV system that are part of the "balance of systems"

Course Author Profile: Harlan Bengson, Ph, PE

Course Description

This course presents design criteria and cost analysis methods for the sizing and justification of solar heat collectors for space heating and cooling of buildings and domestic hot water (DHW) heating. . Information is presented to enable engineers to understand solar space conditioning and water heating systems and conduct feasibility studies based on solar collector performance, site location, and economics. Both retrofit and new installations are considered.

Course Outline

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 SCOPE
1.2 RELATED CRITERIA
1.3 SOLAR ENERGY
2. FLAT PLATE SOLAR COLLECTORS
2.1 COLLECTORS
2.2 ENERGY STORAGE AND AUXILIARY HEAT
2.3 DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEMS (DHW)
2.4 THERMOSYPHON, BATCH AND INTEGRAL COLLECTOR SYSTEMS
2.5 SPACE HEATING AND DHW SYSTEMS
2.6 PASSIVE SYSTEMS
2.7 SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
2.8 SYSTEM CONTROLS

Learning Objectives

• Learn about standards and performance criteria relating to solar heating systems
• Learn about solar radiation and how it is captured by solar collectors
• Learn the fundamentals of solar collector orientation
• Learn about flat plate solar collectors
• Learn about absorber plate coatings
• Learn the purpose of transparent coverings and insulation for collectors
• Learn the fundamentals of air and liquid collectors
• Learn about selective coatings for flat plate collectors
• Learn about flat plate collector housings, gaskets and sealants
• Learn the pros and cons of different collector fluids
• Learn techniques for collector freeze protection
• Learn about the space cooling systems that can be solar powered

Intended Audience

This course is intended for engineers, architects and other building design and construction professionals who want to learn about the basic technology of solar collectors and how they can be employed to power space heating and cooling and domestic hot water heating systems for buildings.

Preview Course Material: Solar Collectors for Heating, Cooling of Buildings, 8 PDH

Course Author Profile J. Paul Guyer, P.E., RA, Fellow ASCE

Course Description

This course will introduce you to solar-powered cooling systems for buildings. You will learn about absorption cooling systems, Rankine cycle heat engine cooling systems, desiccant cooling, and other solar-powered systems having potential for commercial applications. You will be introduced to the fundamentals of system sizing, controls, piping, pumps and valves, and solar collectors.

Learning Objectives

• Learn when solar cooling may be practicable and cost-effective, and when it is unlikely to be so.
• Learn about the two refrigerant combinations that have been used most successfully in solar-powered absorption cooling systems.
• Learn the advantages the Rankine cycle heat engine has over the Stirling and Brayton cycle heat engines for solar cooling.
• Learn how the type of collector used affects and limits the design of solar-powered absorption systems.
• Learn how the means of delivery of the heated fluid to the absorption cooler affects and limits the design of solar-powered absorption systems.
• Learn why an absorption cooler that relies on on-off cycling for temperature control has a drastically reduced average coefficient of performance.
• Learn why a cooling tower is usually required as an element in a solar-powered absorption cooling system.
• Learn the fundamental difference between the closed-cycle absorption and Rankine systems, and an open-cycle desiccant system.
• Learn about the differences between a ventilation-mode desiccant system and a recirculation-mode desiccant system.
• Learn about other cooling methods that utilize solar heating equipment, but do not utilize the solar energy directly for cooling.

Preview Course Materials: Solar Cooling Systems, 2 PDH

Course Author Profile J. Paul Guyer, P.E., RA, Fellow ASCE

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to solar energy system fundamentals. A solar thermal energy collection system (or "solar system" for short) is defined as a set of equipment that intercepts incident solar radiation and stores it as useful thermal energy to offset or eliminate the need for fossil fuel consumption. Four basic functions are performed by a typical solar system and are discussed in this course.

Course Outline

1. INTRODUCTION

2. SOLAR ENERGY APPLICATIONS

3. BASIC MATERIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS.

4. COLLECTOR SUB-SYSTEM

5. STORAGE SUB-SYSTEM

6. TRANSPORT SUB-SYSTEM

7. CONTROL SUB-SYSTEM

8. SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

9. SUMMARY

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course you will:

· Learn about the four basic functions performed by a typical solar system;

· Learn the components of the collector sub-system which intercepts incident solar radiation and transfers it as thermal energy to a working fluid;

· Learn about the elements of the storage sub-system which retains collected thermal energy for later use by the process load;

· Learn how the transport sub-system delivers energy from the collectors to storage;

· Learn how the control sub-system determines when enough energy is available for collection, and activates and controls the entire system to collect this energy until it is no longer available as a net energy gain;

· Learn about heating domestic hot water and low-temperature process water, which will normally be the most thermally efficient means of using solar energy;

· Learn the basic material considerations in solar energy systems ; and

· Learn about flat-plate solar collectors, which are the most common type used.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for mechanical engineers and other infrastructure design and construction professionals who want an introduction to the fundamentals of solar water heating systems for buildings and related facilities.

Preview Course Materials: Solar Energy System Fundamentals, 3 PDH

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Solar energy travels from the sun to the earth in the form of electromagnetic radiation. In this course properties of electromagnetic radiation will be discussed and basic calculations for electromagnetic radiation will be described. Several solar position parameters will be discussed along with means of calculating values for them. The major methods by which solar radiation is converted into other useable forms of energy will be discussed briefly. Extraterrestrial solar radiation (that striking the earth's outer atmosphere) will be discussed and means of estimating its value at a given location and time will be presented. Finally there will be a presentation on how to obtain values for the average monthly rate of solar radiation striking the surface of a typical solar collector, at a specified location in the United States for a given month. Numerous examples are included to illustrate the calculations and data retrieval methods presented.

This course is intended for mechanical, electrical, chemical, and energy engineers. It will also be of interest to any engineers wanting to learn more about the renewable energy field.

In this course, you need to review the material in the pdf file, "Solar Energy Fundamentals."

Upon completing your review of the course material, you need to take a multiple choice quiz consisting of twenty (20) questions to earn 4 PDH credits. The quiz will be based on the entire document. 80% correct is required for a quiz passing grade.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will

• Know the different types of electromagnetic radiation and which of them are included in solar radiation
• Be able to calculate wavelength if given frequency and frequency if given wavelength for specified electromagnetic radiation
• Know the meaning of absorbance, reflectance, and transmittance as applied to a surface receiving electromagnetic radiation, and be able to make calculations with those parameters
• Be able to obtain or calculate values for solar declination, solar hour angle, solar altitude angle, sunrise angle and sunset angle, and use them in calculations
• Know the major methods by which solar radiation is converted into other useable forms of energy
• Be able to obtain an estimated value for monthly averaged extraterrestrial radiation on a horizontal surface for a specified month and latitude between 20 and 65 degrees
• Be able to obtain values for the average monthly rate of solar radiation striking the surface of a solar collector with one of several standard tilt angles at a specified location in the United States for a given month.

Course Author Profile: Harlan Bengson, Ph, PE

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

The transpired solar collector is a simple, low tech, inexpensive means of

This course is intended for engineers of all disciplines who want to learn more about this new type of renewable energy. Someone who completes this course will gain knowledge about the history of the fuel cell, basics of its operation, comparison of fuel cells with other power sources, and details of several aspects of fuel cells.

In this course, you need to review the material in the Department of Energy/Los Alamos National Laboratory publication, LA-UR-99-3231, "Fuel Cells - Green Power".

Upon completing your review of the course material, you need to take a multiple choice quiz consisting of fifteen (15) questions to earn 3 PDH credits. The quiz will be based on the entire document. 80% correct is required for a quiz passing grade.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will

• Be familiar with the basic history of the fuel cell and its development
• Be familiar with the basic operating principles of the PEM fuel cell
• Understand the efficiency advantages of converting chemical energy directly to electrical energy without thermal energy as an intermediate
• Be able to compare fuel cells, internal combustion engines, and batteries
• Be familiar with the characteristics of various types of fuel cells
• Be familiar with alternative fuels, other than hydrogen for fuel cells
• Be familiar with the electrochemistry of the hydrogen based fuel cell
• Be familiar with components and the overall configuration of a PEM fuel cell
• Be able to identify potential applications of fuel cells

Course Author Profile: Harlan Bengson, Ph, PE