Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 

1)	recognize the need for renewable energy technologies and their role in the U.S. and world energy demand. 
2)	distinguish between sustainable energy sources and fossil energy sources.
3)	describe the principles of renewable energy production from various renewable sources. 
4)	apply the knowledge of thermodynamic and heat transfer principles to evaluate the performance of energy conversion systems for maximum efficiency. 
5)	compare the pros and cons of various renewable energy technologies, and propose the best possible energy conversion system for a particular location. 

Graduate Students: 
Upon completion of this course, the students should be able to: 
1)	meet all the above objectives.
2)	use an engineering economic tool (Retscreen International Software) to perform energy balance and economic evaluation of renewable energy systems. 
3)	apply engineering principles to assess and evaluate renewable energy systems for maximum performance.
4)	conduct a comprehensive economic assessment of energy conversion systems for both large- and small-scale applications.
5)	modify or propose a new process design to increase energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.
6)	demonstrate the energy technology systems and communicate effectively by both oral and written presentations.

1. Introduction 
1.1. U.S. and world energy consumption and demand 
1.2. Renewable vs. fossil energy sources 
1.3. Future outlook 
2. Overview of renewable energy technologies 
2.1. Renewable energy sources 
2.2. Advantages and benefits 
2.3. Available technologies and challenges 
3. Solar energy 
3.1. Solar thermal energy 
3.2. Solar photovoltaics 
4. Biomass and bioenergy 
4.1. Biomass resources 
4.1.1. Feedstock collection, transport methods 
4.1.2. Feedstock preprocessing and treatment methods 
4.2. Biomass conversion technologies 
4.2.1. Thermo-chemical platform 
4.2.1.1. Combustion technology 
4.2.1.2. Gasification technology 
4.2.1.3. Pyrolysis technology 
4.2.1.4. Trans-esterification or biodiesel technology 
4.2.2. Biological platform 
4.2.2.1. Hydrolysis and fermentation of biomass into ethanol 
4.2.2.2. Anaerobic fermentation of wastes into methane 
4.3. Recent advances and applications of bioenergy technology 
5. Wind energy 
5.1. Wind resources 
5.2. Wind turbines and power generating systems 
5.3. Current status and R & D needs 
6. Geothermal energy 
6.1. Geothermal resources 
6.2. Principles, operation, and recovery of energy 
6.3. Current status and R & D needs 
7. Hydropower energy 
7.1. Stored hydro energy 
7.2. Principles of hydropower technology 
8. Wave and tidal energy 
8.1. Energy from tides and waves 
8.2. Technological and economic prospects 
9. Energy, economics, and environmental assessments 
9.1. Technical and economical assessment of renewable technology 
9.2. Environmental impact assessments and sustainability issues 
9.3. Renewable energy technologies software use – RETScreen International