Conference Session

Teaching Courses in Renewable Energy Systems

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael E. Hay, University of Northern Iowa; Recayi 'Reg' Pecen

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2007-1286: PLANNING A SMALL-SCALE WIND-ELECTRIC SYSTEM INEAST-CENTRAL IOWAMichael E. Hay, University of Northern Iowa Michael Hay completed his masters degree in Industrial Technology at the University of Northern Iowa. Mr. Hay holds a BT in Industrial Technology/Mechanical Design from the University of Northern Iowa and an MA in Industrial Technology from the University of Northern Iowa. Mr. Hay has over 25 years of experience in various Engineering positions and is listed on six US patents. His graduate research was in planning small-scale wind-electric systems. He has worked on several other renewable energy and electric vehicle projects as well.Recayi "Reg" Pecen, University of

Conference Session

Outreach Projects and General Energy Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elizabeth DeBartolo, Rochester Institute of Technology; Margaret Bailey, Rochester Institute of Technology; Melissa Zaczek, Cummins; Timothy Schriefer, Rochester Institute of Technology; Patrick Kelley, Carnegie Mellon University; Mallika Ramaswamy, Rochester Institute of Technology; Nicholas Ryczko, Pratt & Whitney

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

kits, eachbased on a different energy-related theme: Heat Transfer, Electrical Energy, Wind and Water,Solar Power, and Chemical Energy. Each kit contains an Academic Activity to teach abackground concept, a Hands-On Activity to allow students to apply the concepts learned, and aTake-Home Activity that can be done independently at home. The design team also developedinstruction manuals suitable for non-engineers, lesson plans, handouts, and post-activity quizzesto assess participants’ learning. To date, the kits have been used by over 100 6th graders as wellas dozens more students participating in on-and off-campus outreach programs. This paperdescribes how and why undergraduate engineering students were involved in designing theTEAK

Conference Session

Project-Based Education in Energy Conversion

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Margaret Bailey, Rochester Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

audience. Past student teams have presented to a variety of audiencesranging from college level liberal arts classes to middle and high school science, math, andtechnology classes.This paper includes an overview of both projects in their current forms; results of projectassessment, including samples of student feedback, which have been collected and analyzed overthe past five years; the strategy used during department-level assessment to support outcomesrelated to life-long learning, communication, and team work abilities; experience gained throughtranslation of projects to other courses; and future plans for project refinement.I. IntroductionRochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has one of the oldest cooperative education programs inthe country

Conference Session

Outreach Projects and General Energy Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Fletcher, Lawrence Technological University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

-departmental collaboration, team work, resources planning and scheduling, budgetmanagement and vendor relations from such projects. We installed our 10-kW PV project usingvolunteer student help outside the bounds of classroom activities. Here we present a summary ofthe project itself, along with a one-year post-installation assessment of the LawrenceTechnological University’s project. Also reviewed are its benefits to Lawrence TechnologicalUniversity’s students and our Alternative Energy program, along with several recommendationsfor how other educators might also successfully proceed with similar efforts.Introduction and BackgroundFor the past several years Lawrence Technological University (also known as LTU) has beenactively involved in the field

Conference Session

New Trends in Energy Curriculum

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bradley Rogers, Arizona State University; Mark Henderson, Arizona State University; Chell Roberts, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

-disciplinary engineering program was initiatedat the Polytechnic campus of Arizona State University. A key feature of this program is theemphasis on a Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach to engineering education. Under thispedagogy, students are assigned engineering projects that are carefully planned by the faculty sothat their completion requires mastery of specific sets of traditional engineering topics.Whenever possible, needed topics are presented by faculty members on a “just in time” basisthroughout the curriculum, so that students immediately apply theoretical knowledge to realworld engineering problems. This paper presents an example of the implementation of thispedagogy in a course designed to involve students in an ongoing research

Conference Session

Outreach Projects and General Energy Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Valentina Cecchi, Drexel University; Michael Kleinberg, Drexel University; Milo Tong, Drexel University; Bridget Kleinberg, Drexel University; Karen Miu, Drexel University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

powerengineering students will be highlighted. Lastly, plans for the implementation of the powersystem outreach experiments for larger groups of non-engineers and high school students will bepresented.II. Power Distribution Laboratory Facilities The electric power distribution system experiments targeted for power engineering studentswere developed and embedded within the RDAC laboratory. RDAC has four identicaldistribution stations, each of which has: 1. a power station providing three-phase 208V ac / 120V dc with 1 three-phase 1:1 autotransformer – this serves as the source of power (the substation); 2. a nine-bus distribution feeder box containing two feeders including four three-phase power distribution lines and four three

Conference Session

Experiences in Teaching Energy Courses

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ilya Grinberg, Buffalo State College; Mohammed Safiuddin, University at Buffalo, SUNY

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

three-phase power systems, power circuit analysis, characterizationand modeling of power system components, such as transformers and transmission lines, forstudy of power flow and system operation with extension to advanced power systemcomponents. This course, although it seem like a basic undergraduate level course, was selectedbecause number of students did not have prior power engineering education.EE 587 Z Special Topics in Electrical Power Distribution.System planning and design, surge protection, system protection, system power factor, powersystem pollution, and system interfaces.EE 583 Z Power Systems Engineering II.Investigate transmission line characteristics of aerial and underground lines includingdevelopment of their symmetrical

Conference Session

Design Experiences in Energy Systems

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter Mark Jansson, Rowan University; Ryan Elwell, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Energy Program3 provides some of the most lucrative rebatesfor renewable energy system installations in the nation, and this clinic experience allowedengineering students to directly participate in a growing renewable energy market while learningmore about the electrical design of PV systems. In order to assure that their PV systems wouldbe economically feasible and well designed, the City of Ocean City (OC) and the OC Board ofEducation hired Integrated Systems (a consulting engineering group) to determine appropriatedesigns and plans for each of the twenty buildings they were considering. The feasibility studydetermined that ten buildings were good candidates for the PV systems. The consultingcompany (acting as an industry affiliate to the

Conference Session

Teaching Emerging Energy Technologies

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gene Liao, Wayne State University; Chih-Ping Yeh, Wayne State University; James Sawyer, Macomb Community College

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

framework that will be used for ASE certification• Provided transfer student advising by university faculty at community college3.1 Advisory CommitteeInitiating the development and implementation of all activities requires a system of coordinationfor exchange of information and resources and effective utilization of institutional strengths.Collaboration among faculty and administrators from both institutions and their industry partnerswas formalized through the creation of an advisory committee, which meets regularly to developand implement the planned activities and monitor progress of the project. To create this advisorycommittee, both institutions extend their existing collaborative partnership between theirfaculties to incorporate industry

Conference Session

Outreach Projects and General Energy Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bin Wu, University of Missouri, Columbia; Sanjeev Khanna, University of Missouri; Richard Wyatt, University of Missouri; Roger Korenberg, Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

good fit with energy efficiency concepts we have proposed as part of our integrated resource plan filing with the Missouri Public Service Commission.” • Student Organization: Affiliated with the proposed Center, the MU Student Society of Energy Conservation if formed: “To promote energy awareness, conservation, and efficiency. To promote renewable and clean energy systems. To educate ourselves and the public about energy conservation…” The Society will collaborate with, and compliment to the Center activities in a number of areas.Strategically, this network of partnership work together to utilize the resultant synergy to helpestablish Missouri IAC as the center of resources and services for industrial energy

Conference Session

Design Experiences in Energy Systems

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jennifer Mullin, Virginia Tech; Jinsoo Kim, Korea National University of Education; Vinod Lohani, Virginia Tech; Jenny Lo, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

5did not have significant gains (p > 0.05) in general knowledge between the pre- and post-test. Several students in Group 5 did not complete the pre-test due to timing issues (i.e.there was insufficient time during the workshop due to other planned activities). Table 2: Pre- and Post-test Mean Scores Group N Mean SD 1 pretest 26 52.58 12.297 posttest 26 59.81 10.385 2 pretest 25 57.56 10.377 posttest 25 69.72 9.775 3

Conference Session

Teaching Courses in Renewable Energy Systems

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Arthur Haman, University of Detroit Mercy; Robert Ross, University of Detroit Mercy; Mark Schumack, University of Detroit Mercy; Will Wittig, University of Detroit Mercy; David Chew, University of Detroit Mercy; Krysten Dzwigalski, University of Detroit Mercy; Chris Keimig; Meghann Mouyianis, University of Detroit Mercy; Tim Rourke, University of Detroit Mercy

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

. David will receive his undergraduate degree in August of 2008 and hopes to design thrill rides and roller coasters in the future.Krysten Dzwigalski, University of Detroit Mercy Krysten Dzwigalski is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy. She is currently in her third year and plans to graduate in August of 2008. She has Page 12.122.1 completed a co-op with Daimler Chrysler at Warren Truck Assembly Plant, and is currently working at TARDEC for the US Department of Defense. Krysten is also the President of the Engineering and Science Student

Conference Session

Developments in the Energy Laboratories

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Thomas Brelage, Purdue University; Timothy Skvarenina, Purdue University; William DeWitt, Purdue University; Thomas Robertson, Purdue University; Athula Kulatunga, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

all of the sockets were changed out,we immediately went to the new leads, due Figure 9: Back connections to safety socketsto their enhanced safety.ConclusionWe found during our investigation that not everything works as advertised. Thus, we definitelyrecommend that anyone planning to rewire their lab start with a test batch of materials to makesure they do the job. We were fortunate in that the manufacturer of the first batch of sockets wepurchased took them back when the problem was shown to them.By re-wiring the power benches and equipment,the safety of the laboratory has been improved. Atthe time of the writing of this paper, we have beenusing the safety leads for two semesters. Duringthat time, there have been no arcing events

Conference Session

Design Experiences in Energy Systems

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jorge Alvarado, Texas A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Tank surfaceFigure 11: Vertical view of sensor location plan (all dimensions are inches) Tank surface Figure 12: Vertical view of U-tube plan (all dimensions are inches) Page 12.446.13 Figure 13. Lab-scale GSHP in the labTesting of lab-scale GSHPThe lab-scale GSHP still is being tested under various conditions to determine the impact ofthermal load on the soil. Soil temperature and moisture content are being analyzed to drawappropriate conclusions. So far, the results from the first round of experiments have beenpositive. The soil can be used to dissipate a significant amount of thermal

Conference Session

Experiences in Teaching Energy Courses

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Slobodan Petrovic, Arizona State University; Lakshmi Munukutla, Arizona State University; John Robertson, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

balancing chemical equations and determining number of electrons involvedin redox reaction.The challenge at that point was to move through the course schedule as planned and at the sametime give these students with difficulties an opportunity to master this critical skill, which isabsolutely necessary for one of the practical computations involving the consumption ofreactants in the fuel cell reaction. The fuel and oxidant consumption calculation in fuel cells wasone of the essential skills required for passing the course. The formulas for fuel and oxidantconsumption derived from the basic Faraday Law contain the number of electrons involved inthe reaction. Without very proficient mastery of balancing equations for chemical reactions,recognizing

Conference Session

Project-Based Education in Energy Conversion

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mahmoud Alahmad, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Herbert Hess, University of Idaho; Brian Johnson, University of Idaho

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

increased losses across supply lines. Power correction capacitors doNOT have an impact on power quality and so an active power factor correction unit (ac/acconverter) or a harmonic mitigating transformer is required to clean up a poor power quality.Power factor correction capacitors use must be carefully planned when used in conjunction withvariable frequency drives.Flat panel monitors use 33% less energy than a CRT of the same size display. However the costof a flat panel display is higher, according to Microsoft, a 17 inch CRT costs 60-100$ whereas a17 inch flat panel display can cost 200-250$. A simple online search using Google’s Froogleshows prices up to 400$ for quality flat panel displays. The reasons for this are decreases inweight and

Conference Session

Novel Applications of Computers/Software in Energy Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Carl Spezia, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2007-446: A MATHCAD APPLICATION FOR TEACHING ENERGYECONOMICS AND EFFICIENCY IN UNDERGRADUATE ELECTRICMACHINES COURSESCarl Spezia, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carl J. Spezia received his Ph.D. degree in Engineering Science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2002. From 1980 to 1988, he was a power system planning, protection, and control engineer in the utility industry. He is presently an assistant professor in Electrical Engineering Technology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Page 12.61.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2007 A Mathcad

Conference Session

Developments in the Energy Laboratories

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Blekhman, California State University Los Angeles

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

upcoming laboratories, students are asked to propose a test plan for using anexhaust gas analyzer for tuning a gasoline engine, balancing performance and fuel consumption.The Exhaust Analysis LaboratoryIn this laboratory students are introduced to measuring combustion efficiency based on theanalysis of the products of combustion. The sources of pollution, mechanisms of pollutionformation, and consequent reduction in combustion systems are important topics studied in thecourse. In addition, this laboratory allows students to become familiar with the measurementequipment and some forms of pollution data processing in automotive applications.The laboratory utilizes the AutoLogic’s 5 gas exhaust analyzer (EA), which is a portable, highlycapable