The Clean Energy and Renewable Energy courses offered at both the Albany and Utica campuses along with the instructors offering them can be found below.

The Energy Storage Technology Workforce Training Program will run from June 6 to June 17, 2022. Further information on the program, including registration, can be found on the Energy Storage Technology Training webpage.

Members:

Clean Energy Technology Projects:

• Solar Cells

• Fuel Cells

• Wind

• Li-ion Batteries

• Supercapacitors

• Sensors

• Energy Efficiency

• Water Splitting

REAL Equipment

Courses offered:

N ENG 421 Introduction to Solar Cell Nanotechnology (3)
Covers physics of photovoltaic devices.  Provides an introduction and overview of semiconductor physics relevant to solar cells, p-n junctions, and design and function of solar cells. Discussions will focus on first, second and third generation solar PV that includes mono and multi-crystalline silicon, thin films (CIGS, CdTe, GaAs) and tandem cells, as well as next generation organic and perovskite based solar cells. Topics will include nanotechnology impacts on solar devices that include cells, modules, measurement techniques, metrology, systems, reliability, operation, maintenance and economics of emerging solar cell technologies. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

N ENG 422 Introduction to Fuel Cell Nanotechnology (3)
The course provides an introduction to the basic science and technology of fuel cells. It begins with an overview of the various types of fuel cells and their technologies including hydrogen production and storage. Next, the fundamental principles involved in the design and analysis of fuel cell components and systems are described. Topics include the thermodynamics of fuel cells, namely, cell equilibrium, standard potentials, and Nernst equation; ion conduction and sorption in proton-exchange membranes; mass transport in gas-diffusion layer; and kinetics and catalysis of electrocatalytic reactions of anode and cathode for hydrogen, direct methanol, solid oxide, and molten carbonate fuel cells. The transport and reaction in fuel cells are finally combined to provide their overall design and performance characteristics. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor.

N ENG 423 Renewable and Alternate Energy Nanotechnologies (3)
Provides a broad overview of the global energy landscape, growing energy demand and various energy options impacted by nanotechnology innovations.  Diverse sources of renewable energies that include solar, hydroelectric, wind, biomass, fuel cells will be discussed in the context of efficiency, current state of development and economic feasibility.  In addition, applying nanotechnology innovations to batteries, solar cells, super capacitors, fuel cells and superconductors will be reviewed.  Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

N ENG 424 Nanoscale Chemical and Biological Sensors (3)
Principles of design, operation, and implementation principles of chemical and biological sensors. Focus on the application of fundamental sensing mechanisms and architectures to prevailing and emerging techniques for device design and integration within a specific chemical and/or biological sensing system. Emphasis will be placed on the engineering of the signal transduction mechanism and implications towards design and fabrication. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor.

N NSE 197 Supervised Undergraduate Research in Renewable Energy (1-6)
Supervised participation and research in an established renewable energy technology project designed for the freshman or sophomore undergraduate or senior or junior high school student who desires to engage in study at the introductory or survey level. This participation and research may build upon related prior academic achievement and experience. May be repeated, but each registration must be for an approved renewable energy technology project. The normal credit load for this course is 3 credits; students desiring more than 3 credits must submit a request including justification to the CNSE Office of Student Services. Prerequisite(s): permission of CNSE Director of Student Services and supervising CNSE instructor.

N NSE 397 Independent Study and Research in Renewable Energy Technologies (1-6)
Independent study or research in an area of renewable energy technology designed for the undergraduate student who desires to engage in study of a subject beyond the introductory or survey level, particularly that which builds upon related prior academic achievement and experience. May be repeated, but each registration must be for an approved project. The normal credit load for this course is 3 credits; students desiring more than 3 credits must submit a request including justification to the CNSE Director of Student Services (1-6 credits as approved). Prerequisite(s): consent of supervising CNSE instructor; permission by CNSE Director of Student Services. Further information and application requirements may be obtained from the CNSE Director of Student Services.

N ENG 390X Capstone Research I (3)
First course in a 3-course series representing an original, substantive, team-based research project to introduce the student to professional-level renewable energy technology research. During this introductory course the student will work with a CNSE research team to investigate and identify a topical research problem of interest to the wide fields of renewable energy. Emphasis will be placed on a functional understanding of the current technical, peer-reviewed literature in the area of interest and the drafting of a coherent research plan with relevant proof-of-concept research results.

N ENG 490 Capstone Research II. Team Research and Project Review in Renewable Energy (3)
Second course in a 3-course series representing and original, substantive, team-based research project to introduce the student to professional-level renewable energy technology research. Areas of renewable energy technologies include but not limited to power generation, energy efficiency, and grid modernization and energy storage. During this intermediate course the student will report progress of the CNSE research team in the designated project area focusing on the student’s efforts and results. This ‘project review’ will conform to prevailing formats and reporting structures for profession-level industry or government-funded research to introduce the student to professional research management. Emphasis will be placed on implementation of the student’s research plan and reporting of progress or challenges encountered. N ENG 491 is the honors version of N ENG 490; only one version may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): satisfactory completion of N ENG 304 and N ENG 390X.

N ENG 492W Capstone Research III. Team Research and Final Report in Renewable Energy (3)
Third course in a 3-course series representing and original, substantive, team-based research project to introduce the student to professional-level renewable energy technology research. During this final course the student will provide a final report on the research project with an emphasis placed on achievement of the initial goals of the study as well as challenges encountered and lessons learned. N ENG 493W is the honors version of 492W; only one version may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): N ENG 490 or 491 (Honors) and permission of instructor.

ETC 397 Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Energy (4)
Provides the rationale for renewable and photovoltaic (PV) energy utilization. Introduces the fundamentals of Semiconductor Physics. The Physics of solar cells and solar cell operation. Technologies and materials used to fabricate solar cells. Fabrication of photovoltaic modules and solar generators. Measurement of PV element parameters.

ETC 398 Introduction to Electrical Energy Storage (4)
Energy storage is an emerging group of technologies that is enabling the operation of mobile devices, power systems and electrical vehicles. The course covers the fundamentals of energy storage with a focus on the principles of electrical energy storage. The operating principles, physics and electrochemistry that enable the operation of batteries, super-capacitors and fuel cells will be introduced. Technologies and materials used to fabricate energy storage devices. Selection of energy storage method, reliability-safety and end-of-life recycling. Application for renewable energy systems, automotive and grid-storage energy systems. Prerequisite: MAT 121

MTC 466  Wind Turbines (4)
Introduction to Wind Turbines. Topics includes: wind resources, aerodynamic principles, blade manufacture, control methods, performance testing, ecological effects, planning and regulations for wind energy development. Prerequisite: MTC 461 or equivalent or permission of the instructor. Four hours lecture per week.

ME 425 Sustainable Energy: Choosing Among Options (3)
The technical, economic, environmental and physical resources constraints of energy sources are discussed in terms of both national and global development needs. The current states of both non-renewable and renewable technologies are presented in terms of their potential contribution to sustainable energy resources required for continued viable economic development. Prerequisite: ME 330, or senior standing or permission of instructor.

CE 448  Green Building Strategies: LEED lab (4)
This is a multidisciplinary course that utilizes the built environment’s performance, operations, and maintenance to educate and prepare students to become green building leaders and sustainability-focused citizens. This course will equip students with the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to be effective communicators, project managers, critical thinkers, problem solvers, engaged leaders, and team players in the field of sustainability. Campus buildings will be used to improve performance of the building through measurement and verification, operation, and maintenance with the application of green building rating systems focused on LEED V4 for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance. Successful course completion can prepare the student for the LEED V4 Green Associate or O+M specialty exams credentials. CE 448 and ME 448 are cross-listed.

RENEWABLE ENERGY MINOR

The field of renewable energies has become central to the development of sustainable energy sources and to the efforts to mitigate and reverse the effects of the climate change.

Renewable sources of energy have expanded into a multitude of technologies including photovoltaic conversion, solar thermal and geothermal, wind and wave conversion, photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation and fuel cell energy conversion and energy storage.

The renewable energy technology minor requires typically 20 credit hours including three core courses (3) and other elective courses for the remainder of the credits. A minimum of 16 credits taken in residence is required for completion of the minor if a maximum of 2 equivalent transfer courses are accepted. The core courses cover the broad field of renewable energy sources bringing familiarity with the essential technologies used for the generation, conversion and conservation of energy from clean, renewable sources. Fabrication technologies of the devices and equipment used for generation, storage, distribution and conversion of renewable energies is also covered within the courses offered. Moreover, green building strategies course examines the role of integrating renewable energy into the built environment, including campus buildings. Prerequisite(s): PHY 101 General Physics, CHE 110 Essentials of Chemistry.

Core Courses (3 courses)

N ENG 423 Renewable and Alternate Energy Nanotechnologies (3 cr)
ETC 397 Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Energy (4 cr)
ETC 398 Introduction to Electrical Energy Storage (4 cr)

Elective Courses

N ENG 421 Introduction to Solar Cell Nanotechnology (3 cr)
N ENG 422 Introduction to Fuel Cell Nanotechnology (3 cr)
MTC 466 Wind Turbines (4 cr)
CTC/ETC/MTC 215 Sustainable Energy Systems (2 cr)
ME 425 Sustainable Energy: Choosing Among Options (3 cr)
CE/ME 448 Green Building Strategies: LEED lab (4 cr), (LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

100KW Power Rating Stationary Fuel Cell at SUNY Poly Albany

SUNY Poly Albany Clean Energy Technology Process Equipment

Utica Labs