EGY 101 - Power Plant Industry Fundamentals

Institution:

Delaware County Community College

Subject:

Energy Technology

Description:

This course provides a comprehensive overview of power plant fundamentals and the challenges and advantages of major electrical power generation unit types. A very basic understanding of the principles of thermodynamics as well as the theory and design of fossil, nuclear, hydro, solar, and wind generation systems and related equipment, along with storage technologies will be addressed. Maintenance and operational requirements and special concerns involved in each type of generation are addressed. Topics of instruction consider the difficult choices faced by developers of electrical generation facilities for accommodating costs and environmental concerns, as well as ensuring reliable and economical fuel/energy supplies are available for customer needs. Options for future generation systems and the related advantageous choices each holds for future sources of electricity for the US will be studied. Research reports on the subject matters and sub-topics related to power generation are required of participants in this course. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: Discuss the overarching principles of an electrical generation facility; List the main types of electrical generation facilities, and as an overview, identify the engineering, maintenance, operational and environmental challenges common to all types; Describe the design of coal generating stations, the operational characteristics and the major components of a plant; Discuss the varied challenges associated with burning of coal, as well as how these challenges are met, and describe why coal is the most used fuel for the production of electricity; Describe combustion turbine generating system components and their operations; Discuss the limitations and advantages of using natural gas as a fuel for electricity production; Explain the basics of nuclear fuel generation theory as well as plant design, and describe the components and operation of pressurized water reactors; Describe the components and operation of boiling water reactors; Explain the principles of hydroelectric generation and discuss the operational concerns associated with same; Explain how electricity is produced within a solar cell and by solar thermal systems as well, listing the limitations and potential for using the sun to meet electric power needs; Describe how wind energy is converted to electricity, relating the limitations and advantages of wind power; Relate the processes and environmental advantages of creating electric power from biomass; Describe how municipal solid waste power generation benefits to the environment using municipal solid waste; Describe the methods for generating electricity via ocean currents, ocean waves, tides and ocean thermal differences; Identify the challenges of using geothermal energy electricity production; Explain the basic operation of a fuel cell; List the components, processes and power storage technologies associated with compressed air, flywheels, super-conducting magnetic energy, NaS batteries, flow batteries and nickel-cadmium batteries Relate the process of storing energy in the form of hydrogen, citing the advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogen to capture and create electrical energy; List and explain current concerns for power plant operations including fuel availability and environmental restrictions; Discuss likely priorities for future generation plant investments, renovations and modifications.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

EGY 100

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.dccc.edu

Phone Number:

(610) 359-5000

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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