B.S.
Clean Energy & Power Systems Technology
A 93-credit bachelor's degree that builds on the Clean Energy & Power Systems A.A.S. Ten upper-level courses cover power systems analysis, utility-scale battery storage, wind turbine systems, high-power converters, energy economics, microgrids, power quality, hydrogen and emerging technologies, smart grid protection, and a senior capstone.
Outcomes
What you will be able to do
- 01Analyze power flow and fault conditions
- 02Plan utility-scale storage and microgrids
- 03Specify high-power converters
- 04Apply protection and substation automation
Careers
Where graduates work
- Renewable energy engineer (technologist)
- Energy storage project lead
- Grid integration specialist
Curriculum
Term 1
Introduction to Energy and Power Systems
This course provides a foundational understanding of energy sources, power generation, transmission, and distribution systems. It covers essential concepts, units of measurement, grid infrastructure, and crucial safety practices for aspiring technicians in the energy sector.
DC and AC Circuits for Energy Technicians
This course provides essential knowledge of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) circuits, fundamental for energy technicians. It covers circuit analysis, three-phase power systems, power factor correction, and common metering techniques.
High-Voltage Safety and EV Architecture
This foundational course introduces students to the critical safety protocols required when working with high-voltage systems in electric vehicles and provides a comprehensive overview of modern EV powertrain architecture. It equips future technicians with essential knowledge to safely diagnose, service, and repair these advanced systems.
HVAC Fundamentals: Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer & Psychrometrics
Heat, pressure, and air properties: the physical laws every HVAC service call depends on.
Refrigeration Cycle & System Components
Compressors, condensers, metering devices, and evaporators — how the vapor-compression cycle is built and serviced.
Solar PV Fundamentals and Safety
This foundational course introduces the core principles of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems, their components, and fundamental operational concepts. Emphasis is placed on safety protocols essential for working with PV systems throughout their lifecycle.
Term 2
Power Electronics
This course provides a rigorous, technician-level exploration of power electronics, focusing on the fundamental principles, design, and practical applications of rectifiers, DC-DC converters, and inverters. Students will gain proficiency in analyzing and working with critical semiconductor devices such as Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) and Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) in power conversion systems.
Battery Packs and Battery Management
This course provides comprehensive knowledge of electric vehicle battery pack architectures, cell chemistries, and the critical role of battery management systems. Students will gain practical skills in inspection, diagnosis, service, and safety protocols for high-voltage battery systems.
Traction Inverters and Motors
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of electric vehicle traction inverters and motors, covering their principles, operation, diagnostic procedures, and safe service practices. Students will develop essential skills for maintaining and troubleshooting these critical powertrain components.
HVAC Electrical Systems, Motors & Controls
Line and low-voltage circuits, motors, contactors, capacitors, thermostats, and control sequences.
Refrigerant Handling, Recovery & EPA 608 Practices
Refrigerant types, recovery and evacuation, leak detection, and the regulatory practices technicians must follow.
Inverters and Grid Interconnection
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of inverter technologies, their selection, installation, and commissioning for grid-tied and hybrid photovoltaic systems. Students will master safety protocols, electrical codes, and grid interconnection processes essential for professional practice.
Battery Energy Storage Systems
This course provides comprehensive training on the principles, components, design, installation, and maintenance of battery energy storage systems (BESS). Students will gain the practical skills necessary for safe and effective deployment of various storage technologies in photovoltaic applications.
Term 3
Battery Chemistry and Energy Storage
This course provides a foundational understanding of battery chemistry, operation, and application in energy storage systems. It equips technicians with the knowledge to work safely and effectively with modern battery technologies, focusing on their practical implementation and maintenance.
Charging Systems and Diagnostics
This course provides comprehensive training on the principles, operation, and diagnostic procedures for electric vehicle charging systems. Students will gain practical skills in identifying, testing, and troubleshooting common charging system faults.
Heating Systems: Furnaces, Heat Pumps & Boilers
Gas and electric furnaces, heat pump reversing systems and defrost, hydronic boilers, and combustion safety.
System Diagnostics, Airflow Balancing & Field Service
Systematic fault isolation, airflow and duct measurement, performance verification, preventive maintenance, and customer documentation.
Commissioning, Monitoring and Maintenance
This course covers the essential skills for commissioning, monitoring, and maintaining solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems. Students will learn industry best practices for ensuring system performance, reliability, and longevity.
Term 5
Building Energy Efficiency and Controls
This course provides foundational knowledge and practical skills in optimizing building energy performance through detailed energy audits, advanced building automation, and efficient heat pump technologies. Students will learn to identify energy waste, implement control strategies, and apply modern heating and cooling solutions.
Power Systems Analysis
This course provides an in-depth analysis of electrical power systems, covering essential methodologies for modeling, operating, and protecting complex grids. Students will master per-unit calculations, load flow studies, and fault analysis to ensure system stability and reliability.
Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems
This course provides an in-depth exploration of utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), focusing on the technical design, operation, and safety considerations of containerized megawatt-scale deployments. Students will gain practical knowledge of critical components, thermal management, battery management systems, and fire protection standards essential for reliable and safe energy storage integration.
Term 6
Clean Energy Systems Capstone
This capstone course integrates prior knowledge to design, install, and commission a comprehensive clean energy system, focusing on solar photovoltaics, energy storage, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Students will apply theoretical concepts and practical skills in a culminating service project, preparing them for real-world applications.
Wind Turbine Systems
This upper-division course explores the fundamental principles and operational aspects of modern wind turbine systems. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of aerodynamics, electromechanical components, control systems, and maintenance strategies.
High-Power Solid-State Converters and Inverters
This course explores the design and application of high-power solid-state converters and inverters, focusing on advanced wide-bandgap semiconductor technologies. Students will gain expertise in grid integration, power quality management, and the practical implementation of high-efficiency power electronics systems.
Energy Economics and Project Development
This course explores the economic principles and financial mechanisms driving energy project development, focusing on critical tools for evaluating viability and navigating regulatory landscapes. Students will learn to calculate energy costs, understand grid integration challenges, and analyze incentives and financing structures for renewable and conventional energy systems.
Term 7
Distributed Energy Resources and Microgrids
This course explores the principles and applications of distributed energy resources (DERs) and microgrids, focusing on their integration into modern power systems. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of grid modernization, control strategies, and regulatory frameworks pertinent to these innovative energy solutions.
Power Quality and Harmonics
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of power quality phenomena, including harmonics, voltage sags, and flicker, and their impact on electrical systems. It covers the principles of power quality monitoring, analysis, and various mitigation techniques to ensure reliable and efficient operation of modern electrical infrastructure.
Hydrogen and Emerging Energy Technologies
This advanced course explores hydrogen's critical role in the evolving energy landscape, covering its production via electrolyzers and conversion through fuel cells. Students will gain comprehensive knowledge of hydrogen safety protocols, long-duration storage solutions, and other emerging energy technologies.
Term 8
Smart Grid Protection and Substation Automation
This course provides a comprehensive study of modern protection schemes and automation systems crucial for smart grid operations. Students will gain a deep understanding of protective relaying principles, communication protocols, and wide-area measurement systems essential for grid resilience and efficiency.
Clean Energy Senior Capstone
This capstone course integrates all prior knowledge to design a comprehensive, grid-connected renewable energy system with energy storage. Students will develop full documentation for a real-world project, demonstrating mastery of clean energy principles and practical application.
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