This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Translations*
Archived Versions

Readings

Most assigned readings are from the course text:

Amazon logo Tester, J. W., E. M. Drake, M. W. Golay, M. J. Driscoll, and W. A. Peters. Sustainable Energy - Choosing Among Options. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2005. ISBN: 9780262201537.

 

SES # TOPICS READINGS
Part I: Energy in Context
L1

Introduction: Subject Overview and Administration - Prof. Michael Golay

Historical Context
Energy Sources for a More Sustainable Future
Sustainable Energy
Text

Tester, et al. Chapter 1.
L2

Overview of Energy Use and Related Issues - Prof. Michael Golay

Major Energy Options
Issues of Supply and Demand
Overview of Units and Dimensions for Global Energy Flows (Quads, MMBOE, MW, EJ, etc.)
Energy Conversions (Chemical to Thermal, Chemical to Electric, etc.)
Economic Considerations

 
TBL1

Energy Resource Assessment - Prof. Michael Golay

Major Energy Options (Solar, Geologic, Ocean)
Resource Base - Uncertainties, Grade/Quality Issues, Resource vs. Reserve Estimates, Economic Evaluation Frameworks
Energy Transmission and Distribution (Pipelines, Tankers, Rail, Power Lines)

Tester, et al. Chapter 2.
L3

Sustainability, Energy, and Clean Technologies in Context - Dr. Elisabeth Drake

Issues: Frameworks for Evaluation
Sustainability Attributes
Time an Space Scales
Population and Consumption Growth, Tradeoffs and Choices
Uncertainty

 
TBL2

Energy Supply, Demand, and Storage Planning Methods - Prof. Michael Golay

Matching Energy Density of Supply and Demand
Temporal and Geographical Distributions
Role of Energy Storage
Intermittency
Influences of Pricing During Demand Peaks and Valleys

Tester, et al. Chapter 16.
L4 Resource Evaluation and Depletion Analysis - Prof. Michael Golay  
R1

Discussion of Sustainability Issues - Dr. Elisabeth Drake

Technical Feasibility
Opportunities and Barriers; Timing Issues
Drivers of Change?


Tester, et al. Chapter 6.

Scott, H. P., et al. "Generation of methane in the Earth's mantle: in situ high pressure- temperature measurements of carbonate reduction." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 101, no. 39 (September 28, 2004): 14023-14026.

TBL3

Economic Feasibility Assessment Methods - Prof. Michael Golay

Engineering, Capital, and Investment Costs
Fuel Costs
Life Cycle Costs
Environmental Externalities (Emissions, Wastes, etc.)
Uncertainties

Tester, et al. Chapter 5.
L5

Global Change Issues and Responses - Prof. Peter Stone

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Potential Effects
Modeling of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Terrestrial Effects
Effects on Ecology and Biodiversity (Local-regional Global)
Responses to CO2 Build-up
Mitigation?

Tester, et al. Chapter 4.
L6 International Efforts to Abate Global Change - Prof. Henry Jacoby  
R2 Further Discussion on Term Paper Requirements and Topic Assignments - Dr. Elisabeth Drake Tester, et al. Chapter 4.
L7 Regional Air Pollution - Prof. Greg McRae  
TBL4

Systems Analysis Methodologies - Dr. Elisabeth Drake

Scoping Analysis
Simulation Models
Economic Models
Life Cycle Analysis
Systems Dynamic Models
Decision Models
Selecting System Boundaries

 
R3 Discussion on Energy Resources and Depletion - Dr. Elisabeth Drake  
L8

Overview of Energy Supply Portfolio - Prof. Jefferson Tester

Criteria for Evaluating Energy Technologies
Solar Based: Thermal; PV; Wind; Biomass; etc.
Earth Based: Fossil; Nuclear; Hydro; Geothermal; etc.
Ocean Based and Others

Tester, et al. Sections 7.1, 7.2, 8.1-8.3, and Chapter 9.
TBL5

Energy Transfer and Conversion Methods - Prof. Jefferson Tester

Physical Properties (Density, Heat Capacity, Latent Heat, ...)
Chemical Reactions and Kinetics - Fossil and Biomass Fuel Time-scales
Transport Phenomena and Rates
Energy Storage Modes
Electrochemical Conversions

Tester, et al. Chapter 3.
L9

Energy Conversion, Transmission, and Storage - Prof. Jefferson Tester

Matching Supply and Demand to Minimize Losses
Energy Storage and Transmission Issues
Energy Chains and Connected Efficiencies
Storage Modes
Ragone Plot
Transmission of Fossil Fuels and Electricity

Tester, et al. Chapter 16.
TBL6

Thermodynamics and Efficiency Analysis Methods - Prof. Jefferson Tester

First and Second Laws
Availability
Power Cycles and Heat Pumps
Topping and Bottoming Cycles

Tester, et al. Chapter 3.
Part II: Specific Energy Technologies
L10

Geothermal Energy - Prof. Jefferson Tester

Resources, Types, Magnitudes
Technical, Environmental, Societal, and Economic Issues
Drilling Technologies
Subsurface Reservoir Systems
Heat and Power Conversion Technologies
Future Opportunities

Tester, et al. Chapters 11 and 12.
L11

Hydropower - Prof. Jefferson Tester

Technical Issues (Hydraulic Head, Turbines, etc.)
Reliability and Growth Potential
Water Management (Inundation, Leaching, Fish Impacts, Irrigation, Waste Management, etc.)
Life Cycle Aspects and Economics

 
L12-L13 Joint Video-link Class with Cambridge University - U.S. and British Energy Policies and Issues - Prof. Nuttall and Prof. Michael Golay  
L14 Nuclear Waste Disposal - Prof. Andrew Kadak  
R4 Problem Session: Economics, Energy Conversion, Systems Analysis - Prof. Michael Golay  
  Midterm Exam - 2 Hour Exam (Open Book, Class Notes and Calculator Permitted)  
L15 Electrochemical Energy Storage: Batteries and Fuel Cells - Prof. Donald Sadoway  
L16 Fuel Cell and Distributed Energy Programs in Industry - Dr. Javit Drake, Gillette Techical Center  
R5 Review of Mid-Term Exam  
L17

Biomass Energy - Prof. Jefferson Tester

Resource Types and Requirements
Technical and Environmental Issues
Land use (Ecological Stress, Competition with Food, Water use, Topsoil Erosion, Occupational Hazards)
Utilization Options
Economic Projections

Tester, et al. Chapter 10.

Wigley, T. M. L. "The Climate Change Commitment." Science 307, no. 5716 (March 18, 2005): 1766-1769.

Meehl, Gerald A., Warren M. Washington, William D. Collins, Julie M. Arblaster, Aixue Hu, Lawrence E. Buja, Warren G. Strand, and Haiyan Teng. "How Much More Global Warming and Sea Level Rise?" Science 307, no. 5716 (March 18, 2005): 1769-1772.

L18 Biomass Conversion to Liquid Fuels - Prof. Jefferson Tester  
R6

Biomass Conversion Discussion - Prof. Jefferson Tester with input from Michael Rabb, Jeremy Johnson, and Dr. Morgan Fröling

LCA and New Genetic Engineering Approaches

 
L19 Nuclear Energy I: Present Technologies - Prof. Michael Golay Tester, et al. Chapter 8.
L20 Nuclear Energy II: Future Technologies and the Fuel Cycle - Prof. Michael Golay  
L21

Fossil Energy I - Prof. Ahmed Ghoniem

Types and Characteristics
Technologies
Associated Economics and Impacts
Fossil Fuel Switching (Syn Fuels, LNG, Carbon Sequestration)

Tester, et al. Chapter 7.
L22

Fossil Energy II - Prof. Ahmed Ghoniem

Fuel Conversion, Power Cycles, Combined Cycles
Advanced Technologies

 
L23 Fusion Energy Technologies - Prof. Jeff Friedberg Tester, et al. Chapter 8.19.
R7 Problem Session on Energy System Analysis - Prof. Michael Golay  
L24 Wind Power - Dr. Robert W. Thresher, NREL Tester, et al. Chapter 15.
L25 Cape Wind Energy and Offshore Wind Projects - Mr. Jim Gordon, President of Cape Wind, Inc.  
L26

Solar Thermal Energy - Prof. Jefferson Tester

Resource Grade and Distributions
Performance Issues (Intermittency and Storage Needs)
Environmental, Technical, and Land use Issues
Economic Projections

Tester, et al. Chapter 13.
L27

Solar Photovoltaics - Prof. Eli Sachs

Conversion Devices
PV Systems
Environmental, Performance, Economic Attributes

 
Part III: Energy End Use, Option Assessment, and Tradeoff Analysis
L28

Eco-Buildings - Prof. Leon Glicksman

U.S. and World-wide
Indoor Air Quality
Smart Buildings
Infrastructure Integration

Tester, et al. Chapter 20.
L29 Domestic Energy Efficiency Improvement Potential - Dr. E. C. Guyer Tester, et al. Chapter 17.
L30 Electric Industry Restructuring - Prof. Paul Joskow  
L31 Future Road Transportation Options - Prof. John Heywood Tester, et al. Chapter 18.
L32 Energy Supply and Use in China and Morocco - Prof. Michael Golay  
R8

Recitation: A Case Study - Prof. Jefferson Tester

Energy Development in Low Income Rural Settings

 
L33 Sustainable Development Issues and Decision-Making Techniques - Dr. Elisabeth Drake Tester, et al. Chapter 21.
L34 U.S. Energy Policy and Options - Prof. Ernie Moniz  
L35

Course Summary and Wrap-up - Prof. Michael Golay, Prof. Jefferson Tester, and Dr. Elisabeth Drake

Student Feedback

Tester, et al. Chapter 22.