C Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Catalog description

Term hours:54 lecture and 18 laboratory. This course investigates the potential of renewable energy technologies for sustainable environmental and economic problems within society. Areas of investigation include solar energy, wind power, hydro-power, geothermal, fuel cells, biomass, and ocean wave power. Also addressed are conventional energy sources including oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy. Consideration given to related issues such as costs, system efficiencies, emissions and other environmental impacts, financing incentives, and the regulatory and market forces impacting the alternative energy industry. Students will learn how to assess the viability of incorporating renewable technology, such as solar or wind power, for residential and commercial applications. (UC/CSU)