Renewable energy systems
Graduate · Engineering
Syllabus focus
Standard syllabus · STEM / applied
Pricing
Graduate-level rates are set on consultation. See the pricing page for K–12 and undergraduate rates.
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Solar and wind energy conversion
- Solar radiation geometry and resource assessment
- Photovoltaic cell I-V curves and efficiency limits
- PV system sizing: modules, inverters, and arrays
- Concentrating solar power and thermal storage
- Wind resource assessment and Weibull distributions
- Betz limit and wind turbine power curve
- Blade aerodynamics and pitch/yaw control
- Offshore wind foundations and cabling
- Hybrid renewable plant design
- Levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculations
Storage, grid, and policy
- Battery chemistries for grid and EV applications
- Battery management systems and cycle life
- Pumped hydro and compressed air storage
- Hydrogen production and fuel cells (survey)
- Grid integration: variability and forecasting
- Inverters and power electronics for renewables
- Microgrids and islanded operation
- Net metering, tariffs, and incentive structures
- Environmental and land-use impacts
- Life-cycle assessment of renewable technologies
STEM / applied
System design and economics
- HOMER or similar microgrid optimization tools
- Utility-scale solar farm layout and wiring
- Wind farm wake effects and spacing
- Demand response and load shifting
- Reliability and capacity value of renewables
- Policy case studies: state and federal incentives
- Community solar and equity considerations
- Capstone renewable system design project
- Field trip to solar or wind installation
- FE sustainable energy topic alignment
Emerging technologies and research
- Floating offshore wind platforms
- Perovskite and tandem solar cells
- Grid-forming inverters and synthetic inertia
- Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration
- Agrivoltaics and dual land use
- Machine learning for renewable forecasting
- Carbon accounting and renewable credits
- International renewable deployment comparisons
- Thesis topics in energy systems research
- Qualifying exam energy systems preparation
Notes
Topics reflect common engineering syllabi at US colleges and universities. Exact order, depth, and applied emphasis vary by institution, department, and instructor.