2015-16 Catalog

A discussion of where our energy comes from and how we use it. Resources of oil, coal, natural gas, oil sands, and shale gas. Alternative energy sources: hydroelectric, nuclear, wind, geothermal, solar photovoltaic, and solar thermal. Combustion, steam engines, gas turbines, internal-combustion engines, fuel cells and batteries. The electricity grid and transmission lines, agriculture and biofuels, freight and passenger transportation, and heating and lighting of buildings. Not offered on a pass/fail basis. Satisfies the menu requirement of the Caltech core curriculum. Not offered 2016-17

A discussion of how energy technology interacts with government policy. Renewable sources and the electricity grid. The shale gas revolution and fracking impacts. Electric vehicles and car mileage standards. Coal mining by mountaintop removal and pollution. Peak oil and the debate on limits to growth. Resource models and climate-change policy. Not offered 2016-17.

Phasor representation, 3-phase transmission system, per-phase analysis; power system modeling, transmission line, transformer, generator; network matrix, power flow solution, optimal power flow; Swing equation, stability, protection; demand response, power markets.

Thermodynamics and kinetics of ion and electron transport in solids, with emphasis on processes in electrolyte and electrode materials used in energy storage and conversion. Treatment of electroanalytical characterization techniques including a.c. impedance spectroscopy, voltammetry, and d.c. polarization methods. Application areas include fuel cells, electrochemical gas separation membranes, batteries, supercapacitors, and hydrogen storage materials. Not offered 2015–16.

Subject matter will change from term to term depending upon staff and student interest, but will generally center on modes of energy storage and conversion.