Biomass Energy Basics is an online course that enables participants to review, analyze, and evaluate opportunities in the rapidly expanding market for biopower and biofuel.
Biomass Energy Basics is an online course that enables participants to review, analyze, and evaluate opportunities in the rapidly expanding market for biopower and biofuel. In addition to gaining a working knowledge of the scientific, technological, and business aspects of biomass energy/fuel, participants will also learn techniques for integration with existing non-renewable resources, including using bioenergy and fuel to heat and/or power commercial structures, private homes, and public buildings. You will have a chance to plan a biomass operation for your final project.
With direct contact with your professor, who will answer questions and review your work via e-mail, you will have a chance to learn about renewable energy in a personalized setting. You may also have an opportunity to interact with other professionals in the field who will be available for your questions. A discussion board will be available for interaction with peers.
This course is part of a 5-course series: Certificate in Renewable Energy. The goal of the series of courses, and the Renewable Energy program is to equip earth scientists with knowledge to enable them to take the lead in integrated energy projects and programs. An earth scientist’s unique training and understanding of the big picture — the global picture — provides unmatched abilities to design, oversee, and promote integrated energy solutions which require bringing together fossil energy, geothermal, solar, wind, biomass, and others.
- Unit 1 (Week 1): Scientific and Technology
- Unit 2 (Week 2): Exploration and Development
- Unit 3 (Week 3): Investment Models and Benefits
- Unit 4 (Week 4): Integration Techniques
Course Structure
This course is designed to be equivalent to a 3 credit-hour graduate-level seminar. It is a 4-week online course which consists of 4 one-week units that involve readings, multimedia, guiding questions, and assignments for you to do and to email to your instructor. You will receive feedback from your instructor, and upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate. As part of our five-course Certificate in Renewable Energy program, if you complete this course as well as the others, you will receive 5 course certificates and a program certificate.
Required Work: For each unit, one research project and a short paper that builds on results of the research project, for a total of four brief research projects and four papers.
Core Text Suggestions
- Clark, James H. and Fabian Deswarte, eds. Introduction to Chemicals from Biomass. Indianapolis, Indiana: Wiley Publishing, 2008.
- Drapcho, Caye, John Nghiem, and Terry Walker. Biofuels Engineering Process Technology. New York: McGraw Hill Professional Publishing, 2008.
- Mousedale, David M. Biofuels: Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Sustainable Development. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, 2008.