Course Syllabus:
Course Title: Parabolic Trough Solar Water Heating
Number of Classroom Hours: 1;
1 PDH
Method of Presentation: Online
Course
Intended Target Group:
Professional Engineers
Provider Information:
Business Name: Infinity LC DBA On-Line-Classes.com and
Engineer Classes.com
Business Address:
Phone Number: (888) 405-7849
Email: Contact.OnLineClasses@gmail.com
Professional Engineer Licensing Board
Approvals
This course is applicable for Professional Engineers
in all states with the exception of
Course Description:
This course is designed
to provide professional engineers with a thorough understanding of the basic
technology of parabolic-trough solar water heating and its energy saving
benefits. This course describes the technology of parabolic-trough collectors,
solar water heating systems, and absorption cooling. It examines typical
situations in which parabolic-trough solar water heating is most likely to be
cost effective, and describes the ESPC (energy savings performance contracting)
process that is available to Federal facilities seeking to implement
parabolic-trough solar water-heating projects.
Course Learning Objectives:
• To learn about the technology of
parabolic-trough solar water-heating and absorption-cooling systems,
• To examine the situations in which
parabolic-trough systems are likely to be cost effective,
• To
pinpoint the considerations in selecting and designing a system, and
• To investigate energy savings
performance contracting (ESPC), a method for financing energy conservation and
renewable energy projects in Federal facilities.
Course Outline:
Section 1- About the
Technology - Explains the basic principles of
parabolic trough solar water heating and how it works by using direct
radiation, mirrored surfaces and absorber tubes; Communicates the use of
parabolic-trough solar water-heating as an effective technology for providing
large-scale Federal facilities (such as prisons, barracks and hospitals) with a
potential renewable energy source to reduce utility expenses and environmental
pollution; and Describes the advantages and disadvantages of the Federal
savings programs and partnerships available.
Learning Exercise 1
Section 2- Energy
Saving Mechanism - Examines the parabolic-trough system and how it actually
functions to heat water (including how to optimize the system using an electric
tracking system); Discusses how solar water heating reduces utility costs and
can substitute renewable energy for electricity; Pinpoints how
parabolic-troughs can effectively power air conditioning by using an absorption
cycle driven by a heat source; and Teaches how parabolic-troughs can also be
used to generate electricity.
Section 3- Federal-Sector
Potential - Reviews the estimated market potential
for parabolic-trough systems and pinpoints likely candidates for the
technology; Discusses how the
equipment is integrated into an existing system and what is involved in
maintaining it; Explores the use of new materials and technologies to further
increase the efficiency of the system; Outlines
the costs and government incentives for installing this type of solar
water-heating system; and Details conditions that should be avoided in the
midst of purchasing a system or seeking an ESPC project.
Learning Exercise 2
Section 4- Technology
Performance - Explores the actual impact that parabolic trough systems have had on
facilities implementing the technology (in terms of daily operations, downtime,
facility management, production and savings); Reviews a real-world case study of a detention facility in
Colorado- Adams County Detention Facility; Illustrates the effectiveness of the
payment-for-energy savings method in system installation and maintenance; and Describes how parabolic-trough solar
water heating technology plays a significant role in reducing conventional
energy use at Federal facilities.
Learning
Exercise 3
Method of Presentation:
This is an
online course that consists of collegiate-style lectures that have been
professionally narrated by subject matter experts, animated with relevant
graphics and media, and converted to Flash for web
delivery to provide licensees with a first-rate learning experience.
Evaluation Method:
Licensees will be
evaluated on their comprehension of the material covered by administering Three
(3) brief learning exercises, interspersed throughout the course, upon which
successful completion of each is
required before advancement to the next section is allowed or course credit is
earned. If the licensing board requires
the licensee to pass a final examination, course credit will not be earned
until the final exam has been completed to the required proficiency level.
Author Information:
Author:
The course
information provided herein is a component of the Federal Technology Alert, Parabolic-Trough
Solar Water Heating- Renewable
Technology for Reducing Water-Heating Costs, a publication developed by the United States Department of
Energy. The U.S. D.O.E. is striving
to ensure “