Energy and Environment - 535.662

The course focuses on the impacts of energy consumption and generation on the environment. Second law thermodynamic analysis will be used to help understand the quality of different energy sources and to assess whether they are being used to their fullest abilities. Given the attention given to climate change, greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector will be evaluated. Life Cycle Assessment will be introduced to help understand broader environmental impacts from the acquisition of raw materials to the disposal of devices and equipment. The course will examine the key places where energy is used in the economy (buildings, industry, transportation) then transition to key sources of energy and issues in generation of energy (utilities, nuclear energy, alternative energy, energy storage, water-energy nexus).