Renewable energy systems
Graduate · Engineering
Syllabus focus
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Solar and wind energy conversion
- Solar radiation geometry and resource assessment
- Photovoltaic cell I-V curves and efficiency limits
- PV system sizing: modules, inverters, and arrays
- Concentrating solar power and thermal storage
- Wind resource assessment and Weibull distributions
- Betz limit and wind turbine power curve
- Blade aerodynamics and pitch/yaw control
- Offshore wind foundations and cabling
- Hybrid renewable plant design
- Levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculations
Storage, grid, and policy
- Battery chemistries for grid and EV applications
- Battery management systems and cycle life
- Pumped hydro and compressed air storage
- Hydrogen production and fuel cells (survey)
- Grid integration: variability and forecasting
- Inverters and power electronics for renewables
- Microgrids and islanded operation
- Net metering, tariffs, and incentive structures
- Environmental and land-use impacts
- Life-cycle assessment of renewable technologies
STEM / applied
System design and economics
- HOMER or similar microgrid optimization tools
- Utility-scale solar farm layout and wiring
- Wind farm wake effects and spacing
- Demand response and load shifting
- Reliability and capacity value of renewables
- Policy case studies: state and federal incentives
- Community solar and equity considerations
- Capstone renewable system design project
- Field trip to solar or wind installation
- FE sustainable energy topic alignment
Emerging technologies and research
- Floating offshore wind platforms
- Perovskite and tandem solar cells
- Grid-forming inverters and synthetic inertia
- Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration
- Agrivoltaics and dual land use
- Machine learning for renewable forecasting
- Carbon accounting and renewable credits
- International renewable deployment comparisons
- Thesis topics in energy systems research
- Qualifying exam energy systems preparation
Study units
Each unit includes a study guide, worksheets, review, practice test, and answer key. One unit is free; subscribe for the full class.
- Solar and wind energy conversion
Solar radiation geometry and resource assessment
Coming soon - Storage, grid, and policy
Battery chemistries for grid and EV applications
Coming soon - System design and economics
HOMER or similar microgrid optimization tools
Coming soon - Emerging technologies and research
Floating offshore wind platforms
Coming soon
Notes
Topics reflect common engineering syllabi at US colleges and universities. Exact order, depth, and applied emphasis vary by institution, department, and instructor.