RENEWABLE ENERGY
RENG 101 – BASIC ELECTICITY FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
Introductory course covering DC and AC electrical circuits as applied to renewable energy fields, including solar photovoltaics, small wind, micro hydroelectricity, biofuel generators, and standalone power systems (batteries and generators). Fundamental theoretical concepts will be intimately linked to hands-on laboratory exercises that form the basis for subsequent renewable energy courses. Power conditioning components will also be emphasized, including charge controllers, inverters, and diversion loads.
Co-requisite: MATH 102
4 credits (3 lecture hours and 2 lab hours), fall semester
RENG 102 – RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES
A scientific examination of the energy field with emphasis on alternate energy sources; their technology and application will be covered in this course, in addition to present needs and future demands; conventional sources, biomass conversions; wind power; geothermal; solar and nuclear energy. Conservation methods are stressed. Knowledge of intermediate algebra is highly recommended for this course.
3 credits (3 lecture hours), fall semester, (spring semester online only)
This course satisfies the Liberal Arts and Sciences requirement and the SUNY General Education Requirement for Natural Science.
RENG 103 – RENEWABLE ENERGY SEMINAR
The course provides the student with an introduction to renewable energy resources and systems, recent socioeconomic renewable energy issues, and career opportunities in the field of renewable energy and sustainability.
1 credit (1 lecture hour per week), fall semester.
RENG 150 – ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
This course provides students with fundamental analysis skills pertinent to the field of renewable energy systems. Course focus is on energy and power conversions, algebraic fractions, logarithmic and exponential power functions, Euclidean graph interpretation, and fundamental statistics, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy system examples.
Pre – or Co-requisite: MATH 102, RENG 102
1 credit (1 lecture and 1 hr. recitation weekly), spring semester
RENG 221 – INTRODUCTION TO SMALL WIND SYSTEMS
This course provides students with an introduction to wind energy and the impacts of turbulence, frequency distributions, and tower height on the wind resource. Students are engaged with installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting small wind system (those <100 kW in size). This course covers the Job Task Analysis for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Small Wind Installer examination.
Prerequisites: RENG 101 or DTEC 125 or AGEN 125 minimum grade of C. Corequisite: PHYS 107
3 Credits (2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory), spring semester
RENG 225 – TOWER CLIMBING AND RESCUE
This course is designed to give hands-on experience for those entering the residential wind turbine industry. Initial focus is on tower climbing standards, terminology of the tower climbing industry, and competent climber expectations and duties. Emphasis will be placed on working safely at heights, teamwork in stressful conditions, and fall protection equipment inspection. Students will be held to the National Association of Tower Erectors Authorized Climber and Competent Climber standards. Prospective students should be aware that this course is physically demanding and requires the willingness to be at heights. Must be able to lift 50 pounds and climb a ladder.
2 credits (1 hour of lecture and 2 hours of laboratory), spring semester
RENG 231 – INTRODUCTION TO SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS
This course provides students with an introduction to solar energy and the impacts of seasonality, aspect, and latitude on solar resources. Students are engaged with system components and design of solar photovoltaic electricity generation in both grid-tied and off-grid systems. This course covers the Job Task Analysis for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Solar PV Entry Level examination.
Prerequisites: RENG 101 or DTEC 125 or AGEN 125, and MATH 102 minimum grade of C.
3 Credits (2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory), fall semester
RENG 240 - INTRODUCTION TO HEAT PUMPS
This course is centered on the installation, operation and maintenance of geothermal and air-source heat pump systems, while introducing principles of system operation and design.
Co requisite: RESC 260 - Heating and Energy Systems
3 credit hours (2 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory), spring semester.
RENG 306 – ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES
This course explores current and future technology in the automotive industry in the areas of alternative power sources. Alternative vehicles such as hybrid electric, full electric (EVs), biofuels and fuel cell technology will be studied. Students will learn automotive technology necessary to understand the hurdles required to achieve a fully sustainable vehicle. Prior knowledge of automotive technology and internal combustion theory is helpful but not necessary.
2 credits (1 lecture hour and 3 laboratory hours), spring semester
RENG 310 – BIOMASS ENERGY RESOURCES
This course provides students with a technical understanding of biomass energy resources, materials, and production systems. Two broad categories of biomass energy resources are considered: dedicated energy crops and waste streams or coproducts. The primary focus of the course is on the production of dedicated bioenergy sources, including agriculture, forestry and aquaculture feedstocks, and recovery of biomass from waste streams, including agriculture, forestry, municipal and industrial systems. The course also provides an introduction to chemical, biological, and thermal conversion pathways of biomass into useful energy sources and materials.
Prerequisites: BIOL or CHEM or RREN 302 or RREN 332 and MATH 102, or permission by the instructor.
3 credits (2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours), fall semester
RENG 311 - BIOFUELS
This course provides the student with a scientific and technical understanding of biomass-derived fuels. Feedstock procurement, logistics, processing, and conversion to finished fuel, and fuel quality testing will be explored through lectures ad hands-on field and laboratory activities designed to develop practical skills relevant to both small-scare and commercial biofuels production.
Prerequisites: RENG 310, introductory chemistry class (e.g. CHEM 101, 110 121 or equivalent)
3 credits (2 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory), fall semester
RENG 321 – INTRODUCTION TO MICRO HYDROELECTRICITY SYSTEMS
This course provides students with an introduction to hydroelectricity and the impacts of head, flow, and fluid dynamics on the useable water resource. Students are engaged with installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting micro hydroelectricity systems (those <10 kW in size). Course focus will be on sizing penstock, mapping the hydro resource, and identifying environmental concerns with small hydro systems.
Prerequisites: AGEN 151 and PHYS 107 minimum grade of C.
3 Credits (2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory), fall semester
RENG 331 – INTRODUCTION TO SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS
This course provides students with an introduction to solar energy and the impacts of seasonality, aspect, and latitude on solar resources. Students are engaged with system components and design of solar domestic hot water, pool heating, and space heating applications. This course covers the Job Task Analysis for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Solar Heating Systems Entry Level examination.
Prerequisites: RESC 221 or RESC 260, AGEN 151 minimum grade of C.
3 Credits (2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory), spring semester
RENG 340 - Renewable Energy Heating & Cooling
The focus of RENG 340 is on the design of renewable and clean space heating and cooling systems, which may include biomass heating, solar thermal, and heat pump technologies, as well as integration with conventional systems. Design considerations will include heating and cooling load estimation, equipment sizing and specification, duct sizing and design layout for forced-air systems, hydronic system sizing and layout of heat emitters, and system controls and monitoring.
Pre-requisites: RENG 240
3 credits (3 hours lecture), spring semester
RENG 420 – SMALL WIND SYSTEMS
The focus of RENG 420 is on siting small wind systems, plotting and analyzing Weibull and Rayleigh wind distribution functions, analyzing wind shear and turbulence data, tip-speed ratios, optimizing turbine-inverter inter-actions for maximum energy production, rotor design, electrical system design, National Electrical Code, and system troubleshooting. Paperwork necessary for grant funding and New York State ordinances are also covered. This course will heavily emphasize the NABCEP requirements for small wind site assessment.
Prerequisite: MATH 123 or 141, and RENG 221
3 credits (2 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory), spring semester
RENG 430 – SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
The focus of RENG 430 is on siting solar PV systems, National Electrical Code Article 690, roof analysis, wind loading, weight loading, array withdrawal forces, sliding forces, 1- line electrical diagrams, system grounding, off-grid systems, optimizing system efficiency, and troubleshooting. Paperwork necessary for grant funding and New York State local ordinances are also covered.
Prerequisite: MATH 102, and RENG 231
3 credits (2 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory), fall semester
RENG 450 - ADVANCED GRID TECHNOLOGIES
This course focuses on components, systems, economics, and design of advanced electricity grids, with an emphasis on renewable energy technologies. Key topics may include smart grids, energy storage, grid communication and control systems, microgrid design, electricity markets, and renewable energy forecasting. This advanced topics course is intended to shift specific focus as advances in grid technologies continue to evolve.
Prerequisite: RENG 430
3 credits (3 lecture hours), fall semester
RENG 460 – SYSTEMS INTEGRATION
This is a capstone class for the Renewable Energy degree program. Quantitative, technical writing, and presentation skills (oral and written) will be applied to design and propose a renewable energy system for a landowner. Students are expected to perform an energy audit, recommend energy efficiency and conservation measures, assess renewable energy resources available, design a full system consistent with landowner objectives, check for town ordinance regulations, prepare applicable paperwork for incentives and utility interconnection agreement, and conduct a financial analysis for the system. A final written and oral presentation will be graded.
Prerequisite: Minimum of two 400-level RENG courses
3 credits (3 lecture hours), fall semester
RENG 490 – RENEWABLE ENERGY INTERNSHIP
This course is intended to provide the student with a professional work experience in renewable energy or energy efficiency. This work experience should range from 120 to 600 hours (40 hours per credit) and apply theoretical and technical knowledge in a professional setting. Prior to taking this course, students are required to develop a resume, create goals and objectives of the internship, and seek internship organizations in conjunction with their internship advisor while in RREN 450. To qualify for the internship, the internship sponsor, student, and academic advisor must sign a written contract. Students will be required to prepare and submit interim progress reports, develop and submit a comprehensive written report, and deliver a professional presentation of their internship experience.
Prerequisite: RREN 450, enrollment in the Renewable Energy B. Tech. program, and permission from the instructor.
3-15 credits, spring semester