Developing a State-Wide Energy Assurance Plan: Course + Work = Success

Peter Mark Jansson; Daniel Schmalzel; Robert R. Krchnavek; John L. Schmalzel

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Conference: 2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Publication Date: June 23, 2013
Start Date: June 23, 2013
End Date: June 26, 2013
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Projects in ECE
Tagged Division: Electrical and Computer
Page Count: 8
Page Numbers: 23.388.1 - 23.388.8
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--19402
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/19402
Download Count: 322

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Paper Authors

biography

Peter Mark Jansson PE Bucknell University

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Professor Jansson currently is engaged as an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Bucknell University where he is responsible for pedagogy and research in the power systems, smart grid and analog systems areas. His specialties include grid interconnection of large scale renewable power systems and smart grid storage via EV/Hybrid/CNG powered cars. He has previously worked for over a decade at Rowan University in their ECE department and in the power and consulting industries for over 3 decades.

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Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering. Interested in multidisciplinary design and laboratory education. Research interests include smart/intelligent sensors, integrated systems health management, and micro/smart grids.

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Abstract

Developing a State-Wide Energy Assurance Plan: Course + Work = Success The Department of Energy (DOE) mandates that each state prepare an energy assuranceplan (EAP), which consolidates energy snapshots for the state along with procedures andstrategies to be employed to address a wide range of energy emergencies. _____ University wascontracted by the State of ____ to develop an EAP. In the spring of 2011, a multidisciplinarystudent team was formed as part of a project-based course to begin the EAP development. Theresult of the semester effort was a compilation of other state EAPs, an outline of the document,and initial development of portions of the EAP. During the summer of 2011, fourteen studentswere hired to work on the EAP and related energy monitoring systems. A significant portion ofthe draft EAP was completed; the following two semesters had smaller teams continue refiningthe document. The paper reports on general aspects of the EAP in order to provide the context, and thenfocuses on the important relationship between project-based coursework and studentemployment opportunities. Some of the challenges in the academic environment include thesometimes competing goals of (1) providing relevant projects based on industry need, and (2) theaccompanying expectations of deliverables, which are often well beyond the scope of a one- ortwo-semester project. Projects that provide sufficient funding for students (undergraduate andgraduate) offer the best way to provide the sophisticated results that many sponsors expect.Having students continue the momentum developed in their class project means that there is acorresponding step increase in their productivity when the summer begins. The EAP teamaccomplished a significant amount of work as measured by the number of chapters, appendixes,and references completed, and the responses of the sponsor during regular project reviews. This approach to the key project-based portion of our curriculum has become a model forhow we solicit and scope projects from outside sponsors. The paper will address other strengthsand weaknesses of the approach.

Citation
Format

Jansson, P. M., & Schmalzel, D., & Krchnavek, R. R., & Schmalzel, J. L. (2013, June), Developing a State-Wide Energy Assurance Plan: Course + Work = Success Paper presented at 2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Atlanta, Georgia. 10.18260/1-2--19402

TY - CPAPER
AB - Developing a State-Wide Energy Assurance Plan: Course + Work = Success The Department of Energy (DOE) mandates that each state prepare an energy assuranceplan (EAP), which consolidates energy snapshots for the state along with procedures andstrategies to be employed to address a wide range of energy emergencies. _____ University wascontracted by the State of ____ to develop an EAP. In the spring of 2011, a multidisciplinarystudent team was formed as part of a project-based course to begin the EAP development. Theresult of the semester effort was a compilation of other state EAPs, an outline of the document,and initial development of portions of the EAP. During the summer of 2011, fourteen studentswere hired to work on the EAP and related energy monitoring systems. A significant portion ofthe draft EAP was completed; the following two semesters had smaller teams continue refiningthe document. The paper reports on general aspects of the EAP in order to provide the context, and thenfocuses on the important relationship between project-based coursework and studentemployment opportunities. Some of the challenges in the academic environment include thesometimes competing goals of (1) providing relevant projects based on industry need, and (2) theaccompanying expectations of deliverables, which are often well beyond the scope of a one- ortwo-semester project. Projects that provide sufficient funding for students (undergraduate andgraduate) offer the best way to provide the sophisticated results that many sponsors expect.Having students continue the momentum developed in their class project means that there is acorresponding step increase in their productivity when the summer begins. The EAP teamaccomplished a significant amount of work as measured by the number of chapters, appendixes,and references completed, and the responses of the sponsor during regular project reviews. This approach to the key project-based portion of our curriculum has become a model forhow we solicit and scope projects from outside sponsors. The paper will address other strengthsand weaknesses of the approach.
AU - Peter Mark Jansson PE
AU - Daniel Schmalzel
AU - Robert R. Krchnavek
AU - John L. Schmalzel
CY - Atlanta, Georgia
DA - 2013/06/23
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Developing a State-Wide Energy Assurance Plan: Course + Work = Success
UR - https://peer.asee.org/19402
DO - 10.18260/1-2--19402
ER -