| Part I: Energy in Context |
| L1 |
Introduction: Subject Overview and Administration - Prof. Michael Golay
Historical Context (PDF 1) (PDF 2 - 1.0 MB)
Energy Sources for a More Sustainable Future
Sustainable Energy Text |
| L2 |
Overview of Energy Use and Related Issues - Prof. Michael Golay (PDF)
Major Energy Options
Issues of Supply and Demand
Overview of Units and Dimensions for Global Energy Flows (Quads, MMBOE, MW, EJ, etc.)
Energy Conversions (Chemical to Thermal, Chemical to Electric, etc.)
Economic Considerations |
| TBL1 |
Energy Resource Assessment - Prof. Michael Golay
Major Energy Options (Solar, Geologic, Ocean)
Resource Base - Uncertainties, Grade/Quality Issues, Resource vs. Reserve Estimates, Economic Evaluation Frameworks
Energy Transmission and Distribution (Pipelines, Tankers, Rail, Power Lines) |
| L3 |
Sustainability, Energy, and Clean Technologies in Context - Dr. Elisabeth Drake (PDF)
Issues: Frameworks for Evaluation
Sustainability Attributes
Time an Space Scales
Population and Consumption Growth, Tradeoffs and Choices
Uncertainty |
| TBL2 |
Energy Supply, Demand, and Storage Planning Methods - Prof. Michael Golay (PDF)
Matching Energy Density of Supply and Demand
Temporal and Geographical Distributions
Role of Energy Storage
Intermittency
Influences of Pricing During Demand Peaks and Valleys |
| L4 |
Resource Evaluation and Depletion Analysis - Prof. Michael Golay (PDF) |
| R1 |
Discussion of Sustainability Issues - Dr. Elisabeth Drake
Technical Feasibility
Opportunities and Barriers; Timing Issues
Drivers of Change? |
| TBL3 |
Economic Feasibility Assessment Methods - Prof. Michael Golay (PDF)
Engineering, Capital, and Investment Costs
Fuel Costs
Life Cycle Costs
Environmental Externalities (Emissions, Wastes, etc.)
Uncertainties |
| L5 |
Global Change Issues and Responses - Prof. Peter Stone
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Potential Effects
Modeling of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Terrestrial Effects
Effects on Ecology and Biodiversity (Local-regional Global)
Responses to CO2 Build-up
Mitigation? |
| L6 |
International Efforts to Abate Global Change - Prof. Henry Jacoby |
| R2 |
Further Discussion on Term Paper Requirements and Topic Assignments - Dr. Elisabeth Drake |
| L7 |
Regional Air Pollution - Prof. Greg McRae |
| TBL4 |
Systems Analysis Methodologies - Dr. Elisabeth Drake (PDF)
Scoping Analysis
Simulation Models
Economic Models
Life Cycle Analysis
Systems Dynamic Models
Decision Models
Selecting System Boundaries |
| R3 |
Discussion on Energy Resources and Depletion - Dr. Elisabeth Drake |
| L8 |
Overview of Energy Supply Portfolio - Prof. Jefferson Tester (PDF - 1.3 MB)
Criteria for Evaluating Energy Technologies
Solar Based: Thermal; PV; Wind; Biomass; etc.
Earth Based: Fossil; Nuclear; Hydro; Geothermal; etc.
Ocean Based and Others |
| TBL5 |
Energy Transfer and Conversion Methods - Prof. Jefferson Tester (PDF)
Physical Properties (Density, Heat Capacity, Latent Heat, ...)
Chemical Reactions and Kinetics - Fossil and Biomass Fuel Time-scales
Transport Phenomena and Rates
Energy Storage Modes
Electrochemical Conversions |
| L9 |
Energy Conversion, Transmission, and Storage - Prof. Jefferson Tester
Matching Supply and Demand to Minimize Losses
Energy Storage and Transmission Issues
Energy Chains and Connected Efficiencies
Storage Modes
Ragone Plot
Transmission of Fossil Fuels and Electricity |
| TBL6 |
Thermodynamics and Efficiency Analysis Methods - Prof. Jefferson Tester (PDF)
First and Second Laws
Availability
Power Cycles and Heat Pumps
Topping and Bottoming Cycles |
| Part II: Specific Energy Technologies |
| L10 |
Geothermal Energy - Prof. Jefferson Tester (PDF - 1.8 MB)
Resources, Types, Magnitudes
Technical, Environmental, Societal, and Economic Issues
Drilling Technologies
Subsurface Reservoir Systems
Heat and Power Conversion Technologies
Future Opportunities |
| L11 |
Hydropower - Prof. Jefferson Tester (PDF)
Technical Issues (Hydraulic Head, Turbines, etc.)
Reliability and Growth Potential
Water Management (Inundation, Leaching, Fish Impacts, Irrigation, Waste Management, etc.)
Life Cycle Aspects and Economics |
| L12-L13 |
Joint Video-link Class with Cambridge University - U.S. and British Energy Policies and Issues - Prof. Nuttall and Prof. Michael Golay |
| L14 |
Nuclear Waste Disposal - Prof. Andrew Kadak |
| R4 |
Problem Session: Economics, Energy Conversion, Systems Analysis - Prof. Michael Golay |
|
Midterm Exam - 2 Hour Exam (Open Book, Class Notes and Calculator Permitted) |
| L15 |
Electrochemical Energy Storage: Batteries and Fuel Cells - Prof. Donald Sadoway |
| L16 |
Fuel Cell and Distributed Energy Programs in Industry - Dr. Javit Drake, Gillette Technical Center |
| R5 |
Review of Mid-Term Exam |
| L17 |
Biomass Energy - Prof. Jefferson Tester (PDF - 1.8 MB)
Resource Types and Requirements
Technical and Environmental Issues
Land use (Ecological Stress, Competition with Food, Water use, Topsoil Erosion, Occupational Hazards)
Utilization Options
Economic Projections |
| L18 |
Biomass Conversion to Liquid Fuels - Prof. Jefferson Tester |
| R6 |
Biomass Conversion Discussion - Prof. Jefferson Tester with input from Michael Rabb, Jeremy Johnson, and Dr. Morgan Fröling
LCA and New Genetic Engineering Approaches |
| L19 |
Nuclear Energy I: Present technologies - Prof. Michael Golay (PDF) |
| L20 |
Nuclear Energy II: Future Technologies and the Fuel Cycle - Prof. Michael Golay (PDF - 2.3 MB) |
| L21 |
Fossil Energy I - Prof. Ahmed Ghoniem (PDF 1 of 2 - 1.9 MB) (PDF 2 of 2 - 2.8 MB) (Courtesy of Prof. A. F. Ghoniem. Used with permission.)
Types and Characteristics
Technologies
Associated Economics and Impacts
Fossil Fuel Switching (Syn Fuels, LNG, Carbon Sequestration) |
| L22 |
Fossil Energy II - Prof. Ahmed Ghoniem
Fuel Conversion, Power Cycles, Combined Cycles
Advanced Technologies |
| L23 |
Fusion Energy Technologies - Prof. Jeff Friedberg |
| R7 |
Problem Session on Energy System Analysis - Prof. Michael Golay |
| L24 |
Wind Power - Dr. Robert W. Thresher, NREL |
| L25 |
Cape Wind Energy and Offshore Wind Projects - Mr. Jim Gordon, President of Cape Wind, Inc. |
| L26 |
Solar Thermal Energy - Prof. Jefferson Tester (PDF - 1.4 MB) (Courtesy of Edward C. Kern. Used with permission.)
Resource Grade and Distributions
Performance Issues (Intermittency and Storage Needs)
Environmental, Technical, and Land use Issues
Economic Projections |
| L27 |
Solar Photovoltaics - Prof. Eli Sachs
Conversion Devices
PV Systems
Environmental, Performance, Economic Attributes |
| Part III: Energy End Use, Option Assessment, and Tradeoff Analysis |
| L28 |
Eco-Buildings - Prof. Leon Glicksman
U.S. and World-wide
Indoor Air Quality
Smart Buildings
Infrastructure Integration |
| L29 |
Domestic Energy Efficiency Improvement Potential - Dr. E. C. Guyer |
| L30 |
Electric Industry Restructuring - Prof. Paul Joskow |
| L31 |
Future Road Transportation Options - Prof. John Heywood |
| L32 |
Energy Supply and Use in China and Morocco - Prof. Michael Golay
China (PDF)
Morocco (PDF 1 of 4 - 2.8 MB) (PDF 2 of 4 - 2.1 MB) (PDF 3 of 4 - 2.3 MB) (PDF 4 of 4 - 2.4 MB) |
| R8 |
Recitation: A Case Study - Prof. Jefferson Tester
Energy Development in Low Income Rural Settings |
| L33 |
Sustainable Development Issues and Decision-Making Techniques - Dr. Elisabeth Drake (PDF) |
| L34 |
U.S. Energy Policy and Options - Prof. Ernie Moniz |
| L35 |
Course Summary and Wrap-up - Prof. Michael Golay, Prof. Jefferson Tester, and Dr. Elisabeth Drake
Student Feedback |