Energy Systems And Conversion Course And Content

The energy conversion course is traditionally included in the requirements for an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering. The course typically covers topics in transformers and classical rotating machinery. As the competition becomes more intense for the limited undergraduate credit-hours this practice has been on the decline. As a result, there is a growing population of electrical engineers in practice with a very limited knowledge of the theory and application of energy conversion devices. This paper highlights a required undergraduate course on energy systems and conversion for electrical engineering (EE) students at Penn State University Harrisburg. The new course format adds components that are not typically included in the students’ exposure to the subject. It guides students to explore various energy sources, conversion technologies, and highlights economic, environmental, sustainability, ethical, health and safety, social, and political issues in energy use.