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Power Plant Proposal and Feasibility: A Student Project for a Thermodynamics Course.

Abstract This paper introduces a student project for a second-semester thermodynamics class. The project involves competing student teams. Team members select a method of power generation (wind, coal, nuclear, etc.) for a specific geographic location. Then the teams research the feasibility of situating a new power plant in that location using the selected method of power generation. Finally, student teams debate the positive and negative aspects of the selected power generation methods. This project is designed to address several ABET criteria. Introduction The objective of the following paper was to satisfy two relatively new and so far rarely addressed criteria of ABET, namely ABET (3)(c) and ABET (3)(j). Therefore, for the fall semester in the Thermodynamics II class, the students were assigned a project with the following premise: Propose a specific type of power source to add to the power grid in a given location and defend your choice against another power source. This is relevant to the class because the coursework in Thermodynamics II could be considered the groundwork for power generation. The project did not focus on how a certain power source worked, but rather why that certain power plant would be an effective power source for the specific geographical region. This was important because it gave the students practice in an area of engineering that ABET requires, but is many times overlooked in engineering. As a result of the oral presentations, this project also aids in the practice of communication [ABET criteria (3)(g)]. The objective of the project was to have the students examine the benefits and repercussions of building a new power plant. We had the students examine questions like the following: How much will this project cost? How long will the power plant last? How reliable is it? How will the environment be affected? What will this do to the local economy? How many jobs will be created? How much will the electricity cost? Will the government subsidize this plant? Because these questions are related to the economy, the environment and political and societal issues this portion of the project satisfies ABET criteria (3)(c) which reads: Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, and manufacturability. (www.ABET.org)

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Fayerweather, C., & Cioc, S., & Oliver, D. (2006, June), Power Plant Proposal And Feasibility: A Student Project For A Thermodynamics Course Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--515