Department of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering, PSU
Meeting Time
6:00-9:00 pm,
8 Deike Building
Instructors
Derek
Elsworth 119 Hosler 863-1643 elsworth@psu.edu
Semih Eser 154 Hosler 863-1392 seser@psu.edu
Website
www.geoee.psu.edu/courses/cause.html
Credits
3 in Sp ’00 and 3 in
Fa ’00
Course Rationale and Background
Scientifically speaking, energy cannot be produced, or consumed; it can be converted from one form to another. To provide a highly desired form of energy-electricity, and high-speed mobility for industrial society, fossil fuel combustion and nuclear fission have been chosen as the principal modes of energy conversion. These processes, including fuel preparation before the actual conversion step, are largely responsible for many environmental problems, including air pollution, water pollution, radioactive waste disposal, and the threat of global climate change. Air emissions from fossil fuel combustion have reached levels that overwhelm the natural cycles, increasing the pollutant concentrations in air and water, and affecting the energy balance of the earth. The attendant changes in the composition of the earth’s atmosphere and water bodies threaten the ecosystems and the well-being of living species. Scaling back the anthropogenic impact on the environment would require drastic changes in the modes of energy conversion, dictated by government regulation and/or market forces, in the coming decades of the new millennium.
Objectives
To
explore the energy conversion choices to determine viable means of reducing the
environmental impact of energy conversion that are economically and politically
acceptable, and technologically feasible.
Collaborative Learning
We will work in small groups to define the important learning and research issues in the energy-environment connection, and explore energy strategies for circumventing adverse environmental consequences of energy conversion.
Deliverables
A series of early milestones are set. Initial class discussions will define learning and research issues and form four teams of four students in each group to address these issues. Groups will initially explore topics of greatest relevance for a basic understanding of energy conversion technologies and their environmental impact, presenting their findings to the class, and defining the direction of future activities. The ultimate goal is to chart an energy strategy for Pennsylvania and the US that is economically and politically feasible, and substantially limits any adverse environmental effects.
Texts
Global Energy: Perspectives,
edited by Nebojsa Nakicenovic, Arnulf Grübler, and Alan McDonald. Cambridge
University Press, 1998. ISBN: 0521642000 and ISBN 0521645697 (pbk)
Introduction to Energy :
Resources, Technology, and Society, Edward S. Cassedy
and Peter Z. Grossman. 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press, 1998. ISBN:
0521631068 and ISBN: 0521637678 (pbk)
The Energy-Environment Connection,
Edited by Jack M. Hollander ; foreword by Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh. Publisher:
Washington, D.C. Island Press, c1992. ISBN: 1559631198 (acid-free paper) and
ISBN: 155963118X (pbk).
Renewable Energy: Sources for
Fuels and Electricity, Edited by Thomas B. Johansson et al.,
Executive editor, Laurie Burnham. Island Press, Washington, D.C. c1993. ISBN:
1559631392 (cloth) and ISBN: 1559631384 (pbk)
The Almanac of Renewable Energy,
by Richard Golob and Eric Brus. 1st Ed. H. Holt, New York, 1993. ISBN:
0805019480 (alk. paper)
Scheduling - Spring 2000
We
will define and explore the learning and research issues for a basic
understanding of different energy conversion technologies and their
environmental impact in the areas with the greatest impact, and concentrate on
these as the focus for our further study. We will compile an online resource
encyclopedia, complete with our evaluation of the relevant issues. From this
standpoint we will provide an analysis of the feasibility of alternate energy
supplies, identify candidate energy substitutions, and complete a detailed evaluation
of their implementation. Activities in this semester will focus on
comprehending technical and environmental aspects of energy conversion
processes.
Intersession 2000
We will initiate a yet-to-be-prescribed learning/research project (2 weeks) for data gathering or study tour activities.
Fall 2000
We
will analyze the gathered data and the results from the activities in Spring
2000 in the context of social and political aspects of energy conversion. The activities in this semester will
concentrate on analyzing the recent energy strategies and energy policies in
the US with particular emphasis on the 1992 Energy Policy Act and 1998 Energy
Strategy. All the groups will work
together in developing viable energy strategies for Pennsylvania and the
US.
|
|
Activities |
Duration |
Completion |
|
1 |
Define problem. Outline major
learning/research issues. Form teams. Deliverable:
Summary reports to class from teams. |
1 week |
Jan 16 |
|
2 |
Concept maps of Greenhouse Effect from individual
teams as related to specific learning issues. Deliverable: Presentation of concept maps in class. |
1 week |
Jan 23 |
|
3 |
Prioritize issues and construct
concept maps. Complete preliminary
survey. Deliverable:
Concept maps, survey summaries, and plans for future work (road maps). Define
critical uncertainties. |
1 week |
Feb 3 |
|
4 |
Define
regions for study. Define scope of study. Prepare mini-proposal in groups for
presentation in class. Deliverable: Class presentation of proposal. |
2 weeks |
Feb 10
|
|
6 |
Define future schedule of activities
for the remainder of the term. Begin regional studies. Deliverable:
Class presentations and Progress Report. |
2 weeks |
Feb 17 |
|
7 |
Hydro- and tidal-energy: Kate & Kellie. Status reports from regional groups –
organize collaborative tasks |
1 week |
Feb 24 |
|
8 |
Nuclear
energy: Debbie & Stephen. Status
reports from regional groups. |
1 week
|
March 2 |
|
9 |
Coal and
Fossil Fuels: Obi & Pat. Status
reports from regional groups. |
1 week |
March 16
|
|
10 |
Biomass
energy: Jim & MaryBeth. Status
reports from regional groups. |
1 week |
Mar 23 |
|
11 |
Solar energy
[PowerPoint file]: Bryan, Scott &
Terri |
1 week |
Mar 30 |
|
12 |
Wind
energy: Garrett and Kristy |
1 week |
April 6 |
|
13 |
Fuel cells
[PowerPoint file]:Nate & Vince |
1 week |
April 13 |
|
14 |
Geothermal energy
[powerpoint file]: Eric & Shawn
|
1 week |
April 20 |
|
15 |
Prepare
for research project and reflect on the accomplishment of learning/research
issues |
1 week |
April 27 |
Class presentations of completed activities will take place on the date shown.
Grading
Concept maps: 10%
Progress Reports: 30%
Final Report: 10%
Class Presentations: 20%
Class Debate: 10%
Project Proposal: 10%
Peer Grade from Team
Members: 10%