ME 424 Hydro and Coastal Energy Technology
The course will cover the challenges and rewards from hydropower and harvesting offshore renewable energy. An overview of Hydropower, Offshore Wind Energy, Tidal Energy, Wave energy systems, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion OTEC systems as well as smaller scale flow extraction energy technology. The course covers: 1 Estimation of the available energy based on models of the hydropower elevation, wave, current and wind environment. Characteristic equations and parameters are introduced which allow linkage to coastal site data. 2 Energy Conversion- life cycle operation. Laboratory, pilot and full-scale installation results for hydropower installations and ocean harvesting systems are discussed. Examples are presented to provide realistic energy harvesting estimates for these systems. 3 Techno-economic analysis is introduced to illustrate how to evaluate the viability of these systems within current and higher regional electrical rates $/kW. The main cost driver is offshore installation costs. A review of several cost reduction schemes is introduced to illustrate the near-term possibilities. The course aim is to provide the student with suitable background to understand the energy harvesting potential from hydropower and different coastal sites.
Cross Listed Courses
ME 424 & ME 524