Time Schedule:
Philip C Malte
M E 540
Seattle Campus
Explores renewable energy, principles and practices of energy conversion, focusing on wind and hydrokinetic energy. Offered: Sp.
Class description
The course focuses on wind and water power technologies that are in use and are undergoing development. Wind turbine design by linear and angular momentum methods, and by blade element momentum theory are taught. These methods permit the engineer to determine wind turbine torque and power as a function of turbine rotational speed, and allow blade size and angles to be selected for optimal performance. The main types of wind turbines are treated, including horizontal axis, constant speed, and variable speed turbines. Wind speed distributions are used to determine average power and yearly energy generation by a turbine. Conditions for wind turbine site selection are examined. Water power is introduced by reviewing conventional hydroelectric power and applying the energy equation for predicting system power. The course then turns to hydrokinetics, which involves using the kinetic energy of flowing water to generate power without impoundment of the water. This developing technology is the core of tidal and in-stream turbines. The wind turbine design methods are modified by open channel flow theory and applied to tidal and in-stream turbines. Tidal flow conditions in estuaries, such as Puget Sound, are described. The course is concluded with discussion of wave energy theory and machines that generate electricity from the motion of ocean waves.
Student learning goals
Popwer generation from wind and water.
Wind turbine principles and practice.
Hydropower principles and practice.
Hydrokinetics principles and practice
Applied fluid mechanics.
General method of instruction
Lectures and HW assignments.
Recommended preparation
Undergraduate course in flyuid mechanics or power engineering.
Class assignments and grading
Weekly HW assignments. Mid-term exam. Final exam.
Grades on HW assignments and exams.
