2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Project Based Learning (PBL) and Active Collaborative Learning (ACL) techniques are used to teach students about energy conversion techniques by synthesizing both technical and social energy conversion concepts in a series of three projects that cover both conventional and renewable energy systems. In these projects students provide solutions for the energy demand of a re-located island population. The PBL and ACL methods are used to produce Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) student outcomes around student curiosity, connections, and creating value (the 3 C’s).

In these project scenarios, a substantial population has recently been relocated to the current island because of sea-level rise due to global warming. In addition, the population is expected to grow over the years. Using the available island natural resources, the students determine if they can meet the energy demand of a growing population for both the short-term (5 years) and long-term (100 years). In their analysis, the students first consider providing power through locally available natural gas and coal which has an expected finite lifetime based on the Hubbert curve for coal and natural gas extraction. The first plan for energy is to potentially use these fossil fuel resources in conventional combustion power plants that follow thermodynamics cycles such as the Rankine, Brayton and Combined Cycles. The students are given specifications for existing power plants and are allowed to refurbish and or retrofit the components to predict energy production. Their simulation analysis is done with a series of MATLAB codes that help automate the analysis. The students are also asked to estimate CO2 emissions as the island population is sensitive to increasing global warming effects. Once the students have completed the first project, they are then asked in a second project to determine how renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy could be used to provide the energy demand for the given population at this island location. In this scenario they are asked to calculate the solar and wind resource and apply it to specific solar panels and wind turbines while considering monthly resource variability and potential land usage. Their renewable energy calculations are automated using MATLAB codes as well. Finally, in a third project students are provided up to ten emerging 21st century technologies through a Jigsaw ACL activity and asked to determine what technology has the potential to revolutionize energy on their island in the future. The third project deliverable are back-of-the-envelope calculations and a final presentation justifying their choice.