KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA ‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬

Ministry of Education ‫وزارة التعليـــم‬

Taibah University ‫جامعة طيبة‬
College of Engineering ‫كلية الهندسة‬
Mechanical Engineering Department ‫قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬

Fall Session 2020-ME201

A. Course Identification and General Information
Course Course Title Credit Type Credit
Code & Units Pre-requisite Co-requisite
Number Lec. Lab
ME476 Energy and Power 2 3 0 Elective Elective
Systems
(Renewable Energy
Systems)
Program Language Level Build. Room
BSME English 4 Online Blackboard

B. Lectures' Time

C. Instructor Information
Name Dr. Saeed J. Almalowi Office Hours
Office Circular Building-
Deanship of Scientific Thu WED TUE MON SUN
Research
smalowi@taibahu.edu.sa Online Lectures Administrative Lectures Online
E-mail
Available work Available

D. Course Catalogue Description

The Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems course provides a graduate-level understanding
of the conversion principles and technology behind various renewable energy sources. It also
examines the issues involved in the integration of various renewable energy sources and their
economics for heat, power, and transportation needs. Based on the technical and sustainability
challenges, the future outlook for each of the sources and systems is discussed. This is a required
an elective c for the BCs Studies in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems Program.

E. Course Objectives
When you successfully complete this course, you will be to:

 understand the principles of operation of the broad spectrum of renewable energy

technologies;
 conduct preliminary resource assessments for a variety of renewable energy technologies;
 analyze energy technologies from a systems perspective;
 articulate the technical challenges for each of the renewable sources; and

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KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA ‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
Ministry of Education ‫وزارة التعليـــم‬
Taibah University ‫جامعة طيبة‬
College of Engineering ‫كلية الهندسة‬
Mechanical Engineering Department ‫قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬

 discuss economic, technical, and sustainability issues involved in the integration of

renewable energy systems.

F. Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
CLO 1 Understanding the principles of operation of the broad spectrum of renewable energy
technologies;

CLO 2 Conducting preliminary resource assessments for a variety of renewable energy

technologies;

CLO 3 Analyzing energy technologies from a systems perspective;

CLO 4 Articulating the technical challenges for each of the renewable sources; and

CLO 5 Knowing economic, technical, and sustainability issues involved in the integration of
renewable energy systems.

G. Course Topics and Weekly Plan

Date: Week 1

Topics: Orientation

Readings: Review Syllabus and Orientation

Lesson 1 - The Energy Landscape

Date: Week 1

Topics: Current Global Energy Use

U.S. Energy Consumption
Lifetime of Fossil Fuels
Sustainability and Energy Use
Energy Conversion Technologies

Readings: Chapter 1- Introduction to Sustainable Energy

Energy Water Nexus reading assignment
Chapter 1.1 as well as Appendix A of Renewable Energy, Power for a
Sustainable Future textbook (optional text for the course, reading is available
in Electronic Reserves)

Assignments: Quiz 1

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KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA ‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
Ministry of Education ‫وزارة التعليـــم‬
Taibah University ‫جامعة طيبة‬
College of Engineering ‫كلية الهندسة‬
Mechanical Engineering Department ‫قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬

Respond to Lesson 1 Discussion Questions.

HW 1 will be assigned along with Lesson 2.

Lesson 2 - Energy Systems

Date: Week 2

Topics: Thinking in Systems

Thermodynamics Primer
Applications of Thermodynamics
Thermodynamic Efficiency

Readings: Meadows: Systems 101 (PDF in Canvas)

Chapter 6.3 in Tester, Sustainable Energy Options on System Analysis
Approaches (PDF in Canvas)

Assignments: Quiz 2
Respond to Lesson 2 Discussion Questions.
HW 1

Lesson 3 - Grid Integration of Renewable Energy

Date: Week 3

Topics: Variability, Intermittency, and Dispatchability

Electric Grid Infrastructure
Integrating Renewable Energy into the Grid
Growing a More Efficient Grid
The Smart Grid
Secure Communication in the Smart Grid

Readings: IEEE - An Internet Inspired Electricity Grid (found in Canvas)

ASEE Prism - The Cyber Grid (found in Canvas)
Grid integration of large-capacity Renewable Energy sources and use of large-
capacity Electrical Energy Storage (link is external) (link is external) (Begin
with Section 2.3, then all of Section 4.)
Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future, Ch. 10.2 & 10.6-10.8.

Assignments: Quiz 3
Respond to Lesson 3 Discussion Questions.
HW 2 will be assigned along with Lesson 4.

Lesson 4 - Solar Energy

Date: Week 4
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KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA ‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
Ministry of Education ‫وزارة التعليـــم‬
Taibah University ‫جامعة طيبة‬
College of Engineering ‫كلية الهندسة‬
Mechanical Engineering Department ‫قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬

Topics: Principles of Solar Radiation

Resource Foundations
Technology Challenges
Sustainability
Solar Energy Industry & Economics
Solar Example Problems

Readings: Brownson, Solar Energy Conversion Systems (SECS):

[Ch 2 and Ch 12]
Ch 3 (p. 41-57)
Ch 13 (p. 319-321)
Ch 14 (p. 349-358, 364-369)
Solar Energy Industry Association's Solar Market Insight Report for
2013(link is external)

Assignments: Quiz 4
Respond to Lesson 4 Discussion Questions.
HW 2

Week 5 - Mid-Term Exam 1

Lesson 5: Bioenergy

Date: Week 6

Topics: Sources of Feedstocks

Conversion Technology
Diesel and Ethanol
Biogas
Electricity Production
Transportation
Challenges
Sustainability
Economics

Readings: All readings are online through course website.

Assignments: Quiz 5
Respond to Lesson 5 Discussion Questions.
HW 3 will be assigned along with Lesson 6.

Lesson 6 - Wind Energy

Date: Week 7

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KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA ‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
Ministry of Education ‫وزارة التعليـــم‬
Taibah University ‫جامعة طيبة‬
College of Engineering ‫كلية الهندسة‬
Mechanical Engineering Department ‫قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬

Topics: Origin of the Wind

Power in the Wind
Wind Resource Basics
Technologies
Challenges
Sustainability
Wind Energy Industry

Readings: Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future, Chapters 7.3 & 7.6.
(Found in Canvas -> Library Resources, 2nd Link)
Wind LCA Harmonization (NREL/FS-6A20-57131 • June 2013) (link is
external)(link is external)
Wind Technologies Market Report Executive Summary(link is external)

Assignments: Quiz 6
Respond to Lesson 6 Discussion Questions.
HW 3

Project Formation Week

Date: Week 8

Topics: Form Project Teams and Develop Project Concept

READINGS:

Assignments: Project Preliminary Proposal

Lesson 7 - Water Power (Hydro, Tidal & Wave)

Date: Week 9

Topics: Hydro Resources

Hydro Project Types
Hydro Conversion Technologies
Tidal Resource
Tidal Power Conversion
Wave Resource
Wave Energy Conversion
Challenges to Sustainability

Readings: Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol(link is external),

Understand how the protocol is implemented and read through the "About
Sustainability" details within this website.

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KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA ‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
Ministry of Education ‫وزارة التعليـــم‬
Taibah University ‫جامعة طيبة‬
College of Engineering ‫كلية الهندسة‬
Mechanical Engineering Department ‫قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬

Assignments: Quiz 7
Respond to Lesson 7 Discussion Questions.
HW 4 will be combined with Lesson 8.

Lesson 8 - Geothermal Energy

Date: Week 10

Topics: Principles
Geothermal Resources
Electricity Production
Conversion Technology
Challenges
Economics

Readings: "An Evaluation of Enhanced Geothermal Systems Technology"(link is

external)(link is external) a U.S. Department of Energy report
Promoting Geothermal Energy: Air Emissions Comparison and
Externality Analysis(link is external)

Assignments: Quiz 8
Respond to Lesson 8 Discussion Questions.
HW 4

Lesson 9 - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Date: Week 11

Topics: Heat Pumps

Classification of GHP Loops
Heat Pump Efficiency & Examples
Building Integrated Solar
Building Integrated Wind Energy
Building Efficiency & Demand Response
LEED Certification

Readings: There are external links embedded within the lesson.

Assignments: Quiz 9
Respond to Lesson 9 Discussion Questions.
HW 5 will be due along with Lesson 10.
Mid-term Exam 2

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KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA ‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
Ministry of Education ‫وزارة التعليـــم‬
Taibah University ‫جامعة طيبة‬
College of Engineering ‫كلية الهندسة‬
Mechanical Engineering Department ‫قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬

Week 12 - Mid-Term Exam 2

Lesson 10 - Energy Storage

Date: Week 13

Topics: Applications of Energy Storage

Storage Characteristics
Energy Storage Technologies
Battery Examples
Sustainability

Readings: Grid Integration of Large-Capacity Renewable Energy Sources and

Use of Large-Capacity Electrical Energy Storage (EES) (link is
external). Sections 2.3, 4.1, and Section 5.
Electrical Energy Storage. (link is external)Section 3.2 and Section 2.

Assignments: Quiz 10
Respond to Lesson 10 Discussion Questions.
HW 5

H. Assessment Schedule and Grade Distribution

# Type of Assessment Week Due % Marks

1 Quizzes 3, 8, 13 10
2 Assignments 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 5
3 Attendance All weeks +5
4 Presentation One presentation 10
5 Projects One project 15
6 Written Exam 1 6 10
7 Written Exam 2 12 10
8 Final Exam As per university schedule 40
Total 100+ (+5)
A+: 95% , A: 90%-94%, B+: 85- 89%, B: 80- 84%, C+: 75- 79%, C: 70- 74%, D+: 65-
69%, D: 60- 64%, F: below 60%

I. Learning Resources
Required Textbook
Boyle, Godfrey. Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future, Third Edition. Oxford
University Press, 2012.

Essential References
Tester, et al. Sustainable Energy, Choosing Among Options, 2nd Edition. MIT Press, 2012.

Recommended Books and Reference Materials

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KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA ‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
Ministry of Education ‫وزارة التعليـــم‬
Taibah University ‫جامعة طيبة‬
College of Engineering ‫كلية الهندسة‬
Mechanical Engineering Department ‫قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬

Renewable Energy in Power Systems by Leon and David, Wiley, published on 2008.

Electronic Materials and Web Sites etc

We will launch a website very soon.

J. Class Procedure:
1. Class Attendance: According to the university rules:
 Attendance will be recorded in the system every lecture starting from first lecture.
 Entering the classroom after 10 will be counted as absent (University regulations).
 According to university rules, missing 25% or more of all class sessions results in denial
of sitting for the final.
 According to university rules, the university council can allow the student to set for the
final with acceptable excuses only if he attended 50% of classes.
 Medical excuses should be sealed by the university hospital and must be submitted with
1 week of the hospital dismissal.
 For multiple section courses, every student must attend according to his official
schedule.
2. Textbook and Preparation:
 The textbook is the main source of information for the course.
 It is strongly recommended that you read the textbook before the class.
3. Exam Policy:
 The exams are closed books and closed notes. (Unless otherwise specified in the question
sheet)
 You are allowed to bring ONE A-4 size hand written Formula Sheet to the exam. Solved
examples are not permitted in the formula sheet.
 For exam re-grading and make-up examinations, university rules must be observed.
 If you missed an exam with a legitimate excuse, the exam marks could be distributed over
the other exams’ marks.
 Multi-section courses could be combined in Midterm exams in the same time.
4. Quizzes:
 15 minutes quizzes will be conducted to assess the students’ progress.
 The quiz schedule will follow the assessment schedule in the above course plan.
5. Assignments:
 It is expected that student will spend 3 hours per week of independent work at home for
each course credit hour. (e.g. 3 credit hours course requires 9-hours independent
work per week)
 All assignment problems are posted and should be practiced.
 Each student is expected to complete the homework and submit individual solution by the
due day.
 No late submission of the assignment for any reason.
 Tutorials will be used to answer any questions regarding the assignment problems.
6. Professionalism and Ethics

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KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA ‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
Ministry of Education ‫وزارة التعليـــم‬
Taibah University ‫جامعة طيبة‬
College of Engineering ‫كلية الهندسة‬
Mechanical Engineering Department ‫قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬

 As per university policy and classroom etiquette, mobile phones, etc. must be silenced
during the lectures and lab sessions.
 Violators of this rule will be asked to leave the classroom immediately so as to not disrupt
the learning environment.
 Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. If you are uncertain as to what
constitutes academic dishonesty, please consult The Taibah University Rules.
 The Taibah University Rules of Conduct will be applied. Violations of these rules will
result in a record of the infraction being placed in your file and the student receiving a
zero on the work in question AT A MINIMUM.
 At the instructor’s discretion, you may also receive a failing grade for the course.
Confirmation of such incidents can also result in expulsion from the University.
7. Computer Skills/Usage
Students are expected to have access to and be familiar with:
 A word processing application (e.g., Microsoft Word) as all assignments will require its
use.
 A presentation processing application (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint).
 A spreadsheet application (e.g., Microsoft Excel).
 Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or higher to view course documents.
 E-mail could be used to communicate with students and disseminate materials and
assignments throughout the course. So, students should check their e-mail at least once
per day.
8. Excusal from Course Assignments and Course Examinations
 If an emergency arises and a student cannot submit assigned work on or before the
scheduled due date or cannot take an exam on the scheduled date, the student MUST give
notification to the instructor NO LESS THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE the scheduled date
and NO MORE THAN 48 HOURS AFTER the scheduled date.

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