Worcester Polytechnic Institute
EN-12: Continuing Education

ME5105. Renewable Energy:The course provides an introduction to renewable energy, outlining the challenges in meeting the energy needs of humanity and exploring possible solutions in some detail. Specific topics include: use of energy and the correlation of energy use with the prosperity of nations; historical energy usage and future energy needs; engineering economics; electricity generation from the wind; wave/ocean energy, geo-thermal and solar-thermal energy; overview of fuel cells, biofuels, nuclear energy, and solar-photovoltaic systems and their role and prospects; distribution of energy and the energy infrastructure; energy for transportation; energy storage. Pre-requisites; ES 3001, ES 3004 or equivalents. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have taken the Special Topics (ME 593R) version of the same course; ECE5532: DISTRIBUTED AND RENEWABLE POWER GENERATION, This course introduces the characteristics and challenges of interconnecting increasing numbers of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) to the Electric Power System (EPS). Topics include: challenges to distribution and transmission system protection; local voltage control; ride through; optimal interconnection transformer configurations; and practical engineering approaches to maintain system reliability and protection. The current and evolving interconnection standard (IEEE 1547) is included. (Prerequisites: ECE 5500 Power System Analysis plus either ECE 5520 Power System Protection and Control or ECE 5521 Protective Relaying. ECE 5530 Power Distribution highly recommended.). BUS598, SPECIAL TOPICS: ENERGY MANAGEMENT, This course covers a broad spectrum of energy management topics important to future business managers and leaders including: energy management strategies for business, governmental regulations, incentives and resources, European Union energy policies and programs including carbon credits and related markets. We will study energy efficiency practices as they relate to ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED), high performance buildings, data centers, renewable energy sources and smart grid. Special focus will be on energy management for financial and environmental sustainability benefits from the perspective of CEOs, CFOs, COOs and CSOs.

"WPI’s Renewable and Distributed Power Systems Certificate was introduced in the 2016 Academic Year. It provides students with general power systems analysis and design capabilities and specific capabilities for electric delivery systems that support renewable and distributed power generation.