Seminar in Energy Resources, Technology and Policy

ME 694C    Fall 2002    Larry Caretto

It seems like a long stretch from the second law of thermodynamics to the current war against terrorism, but the need for energy resources in the United States is a key component of our relations with several of the nations that are accused of harboring or supporting terrorists.

The graduate seminar in energy resources, technology and policy scheduled in the Mechanical Engineering Department at CSUN for fall 2002 will not deal directly with terrorists, but it will cover a range of issues related to the science and technology of energy and discuss the policy implications of these issues.  Some of the questions addressed in this seminar are listed below.

Almost all considerations of energy resources and innovative energy technology revolve around the costs of the proposed resource or technology.  In addition, some proposed technologies, such as controlled nuclear fusion, have not been demonstrated to be scientifically possible.  How shall we analyze alternative methods for energy production giving full consideration to both economic and technical issues?  How is this analysis affected by considerations of long term versus short term technologies?

One important consideration in all energy issues is the interaction of environmental concerns with energy production and use.  The relation between energy and air pollution is especially important.  More efficient energy use by automobiles and electric power plants should reduce the amount of fuel they use and the air pollution they produce.  How can we achieve there reductions?

Although most scientists working in the field of global warming now believe – with great uncertainty about the exact effect – that current human activities are leading to a warmer climate over the next century, the U.S. government has abandoned the Kyoto treaty intended to reduce the so called “greenhouse gases” that lead to global warming.  If global warming is a serious concern, what are the technical ways in which greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced?

Automotive fuel economy is currently a controversial issue in Congressional considerations of a new law on energy policy.  Individuals who work in this area recognize that improvements in fuel economy are possible, but at an increased cost.  What are the technologies that can improve automotive fuel economy?  What are the political and economic forces that affect the adoption and use of such technologies.

In early 2002, the Bush administration announced that it was replacing the government-industry research effort known as the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV), started under the Clinton administration, with a new effort that would focus on fuel cells.  The State of California has formed the California Fuel Cell Partnership to encourage the introduction of fuel cells in automobiles and other applications.  What is the current status of fuel cells?  What are the technical issues that have to be addressed to allow the widespread use of fuel cells?

The largest energy resource in the world (and in the United States) is coal.  However, coal has been regarded as a “dirty” fuel compared to oil and, especially in recent years, natural gas.  Following the 1973 oil embargo, there was a large effort to develop clean-coal technology.  That effort lapsed after new supplies of natural gas were developed following the deregulation of natural gas prices.  The federal government proposed a new effort on clean coal technology on February 14, 2002.  What are the prospects for this technology?

There has been a renewed discussion of nuclear energy.  After a long study period, the government has selected a site for long-term disposal of nuclear waste.  Is there going to be any significant amount of new nuclear energy in our future?

Preliminary data for calendar year 2000 show that the United States imported 55% of its petroleum.  This percentage has been increasing over time.  How can this fraction of imported petroleum be reduced?

Schedule for the seminar

The seminar is currently scheduled to meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:45 pm.  The first meeting will be on August 28 and the final exam will be on December 11.

Operation of the seminar

The seminar will have lectures by the instructor, presentations by guest lecturers , and will conclude by student presentations on a research topic that each student selects.

Student background

Students who enroll in this course should be graduate students with a background in engineering or science.  A knowledge of thermodynamics and engineering economics is required.  The technical background for specific energy topics will be presented in an accelerated fashion as each topic is introduced.

About the instructor

Professor Larry Caretto has done research work and taught courses in combustion, air pollution and energy issues.  He served as a member of the California Air Resources Board, responsible for enacting policy issues related to air pollution.  One of his responsibilities in that position was the oversight of the Board’s role in regulating emissions from heavy oil production in California.  He is currently a member of a National Academy of Sciences committee that is evaluating air quality management in the United States.

For more information

Email Professor Caretto.  You may also contact him by phone (818.677.6448), by fax (818.677.7062) or by mail at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA 91330-8348.