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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
E SD079.
Course Title (CB02)
Introduction to Sustainable Energy
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course provides a general overview of the most widely used sustainable energy sources and carriers. It will begin by presenting fossil fuel energy and then move on to sustainable energy, with each energy source described by its resource base, its role in the global energy system, its associated technologies and future prospects, and any environmental and human impacts. A brief overview of the primary energy carriers, electricity, and hydrogen, will also be presented.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Environmental Technologies (Environmental hazardous material technology, hazardous material abate- ment, environmentally conscious manufacturing, waste water pretreatment, air pollution control technology, integrated waste management, water treatment, sewage treatment)]
Discipline 3
[Ecology]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - FACILITIES MAINTENANCE TECH]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable and a requirement of the CTE Energy Management and Building Science degree. It gives a general overview of the most promising sustainable energy sources and shows the potential benefits and endless supply of transitioning to a sustainable energy economy.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
2.0
Maximum Credit Units
2.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours2.04.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
24.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
48.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem-solving performed in class

In-class essays

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observations and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises/projects

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments from textbook and other relevant materials
  2. Writing assignments involving calculations, summary, analysis, and synthesis of data and/or information
  3. Individual or team presentations/projects/reports in class assignments

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Completion of weekly assignments including an assessment (quiz) process to evaluate student comprehension of concepts and principles
  2. Completion of individual or team assignments in class to evaluate student comprehension of concepts and principles
  3. One final exam that will require students to demonstrate the ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze principles and concepts

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Calculator with advanced functions such as exponents, root, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, etc.
  • Device with word processing and spreadsheet capabilities
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center (KC) for Environmental Studies (a sustainable building with sustainable materials and design features), energy management lab (KC239), solar photovoltaic (PV) demonstration arrays (KC West, outdoors), building renewable energy systems (solar thermal system, solar PV system, controls room & other related equipment), and building mechanical (KC204) and electrical (KC205) rooms

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Quaschning, V.Renewable Energy and Climate ChangeJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.2020/2nd Edition9781119514862
Nelson, V. C., & Starcher, K. L.Introduction to Renewable EnergyCRC Press2016/2nd Edition9781498701938
Coley, D. A.Energy and Climate Change: Creating a Sustainable FutureJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.20089780470853122
Schlager, N., & Weisblatt, J. (Eds.)Alternative EnergyThompson Gale20060787694401

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Describe the resources, technologies, and impacts of the dominant energy sources
  • Analyze the technological, economic, and environmental issues of the various sustainable energy sources
  • Explain the properties and uses of electricity and hydrogen

CSLOs

  • Discuss the dominate energy sources and their environmental impacts

  • Compare the benefits of the most widely used sources of sustainable energy

  • Identify the differences of the primary energy carriers

Outline

  1. Describe the resources, technologies, and impacts of the dominant energy sources
    1. Origins of fossil fuels
    2. The fossil fuels
    3. Energy from fossil fuels
    4. Fossil fuel resources and technologies
    5. Impacts on the environment
  2. Analyze the technological, economic, and environmental issues of the various sustainable energy sources
    1. Energy from the Earth and Moon
      1. The geothermal resource
      2. Geothermal energy technology
      3. Environmental impacts of geothermal energy
      4. Ocean and tidal energy
    2. Direct energy from the Sun: Solar
      1. The solar resource
      2. Photovoltaic systems
      3. Solar thermal systems
      4. Other direct solar applications
      5. Environmental impacts
    3. Indirect energy from the Sun: Biomass, Water, and Wind
      1. Biomass
      2. Hydropower
      3. Wind power
      4. Other indirect solar energy sources
      5. Environmental impacts
  3. Explain the properties and uses of electricity and hydrogen
    1. Basics of electric circuits
    2. Electrification
    3. The electric power grid
    4. Sustainable energy integration
    5. A hydrogen economy
    6. Future of electric cars
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