Classes Offered

The following is a list of classes I offer, along with brief descriptions. Classes are based on the books I have written, with some variations as appropriate.

Classes are generally offered weekly, in the order listed below. Come to the classes which interest you then pay at the door. You can also contact me to provide additional classes in your area or to deliver a special presentation for your group.

Introduction to Electrical Power
Topics include: Types of electrical power generation and an overview of how each type works; overview of voltage, current, and power; overview of turbines and generators.

Main Electrical Concepts: Voltage, Current, and More

Topics include: voltage and current on the atomic scale; alternating current and alternating power, and frequency; sine wave graphs; batteries; electrical connections; impedance and reactance; terminology of other significant concepts.

Hydroelectric Power

Topics include: Operation of hydroelectric power plants; dams, reservoirs, and rivers; micro-hyrdo systems; power calculations for hydropower; and choices of turbines.

Wind Power

Topics include: Overview of wind power systems; factors in getting the most power out of a wind turbine system; practical considerations when installing a wind turbine; blade design; offshore wind turbines; and additional wind power terminology.

Solar Power – Basic Operations and Overview of Practical Considerations

Topics include: Basic operation of photovoltaic cells. Overview of practical considerations when installing a solar cell: electronic design choices; sizing the array; orientation; and  tilt angle.

Solar Power – Practical Considerations in Detail

Topics include: Detailed discussion of practical considerations when installing a solar cell: electronic design choices; sizing the array; orientation; and tilt angle.

Solar Power – Advanced Technologies

Topics include: Overview of solar cell operations and discussion of factors which limit the efficiency. Brief discussions of the most common engineering techniques to improve efficiency: thin films, anti-reflective coatings, surface texturing, minority carriers, solar concentrators, stacking, and other advanced technologies.

Coal Power – Formation and Mining of Coal

Topics include: types of coal, how coal is formed, mining of coal, and reclamation of surface mines. A significant section is devoted to the health and safety of coal mining operations.

Coal Power – Environmental Effects and Clean Coal Technology

Topics include: Summaries of environmental effects of coal, particularly for ash, sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, and CO₂. Discussions of the most common types of Clean Coal Technologies: Washing Coal, Scrubbers, Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD), Low NOx Burners, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), the Electrostatic Precipitator, Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC), Planting trees, and Gasification.

Coal Power – Mercury Emissions

Topics include: Amount of mercury in perspective; mercury as found in coal; forms of mercury in coal power; methyl mercury, the Minamata case, and clean coal technologies used to remove mercury.

Nuclear Power – Nuclear Power Plants

Topics include: Overview of Nuclear Power; nuclear fuel; chain reactions; basic operation of nuclear power plants; components of nuclear power plants; types of nuclear power plants; and nuclear plant design options.

Nuclear Power – Meltdowns and Explosions

Topics include: How meltdowns and explosions occur; what happened at Three Mile Island; what happened at Chernobyl; and methods to make nuclear power plant operations safer.

Nuclear Power – Health Hazards of Radioactive Decay

Topics include: By-products of nuclear power; science of radioactive decay; mechanisms of decay type on health; energy level and effect on health; spread of gamma as related to distance; summary of effects of decay types on human body; penetration and shielding.

Nuclear Power – Radiation Measurements and Biological Effects

Topics include: Biological versus physical measurements; understanding common radiation measurements; dose equivalents in context; limitations and usefulness of the Geiger counter.

Nuclear Power – Radioactive Decay and Long Term Storage

Topics include: Processes of radioactive decay, nature of the half-life, subsequent activities of by-products; need for storage, possible hazards of storage, and the necessary requirements in a long-term storage facility. We will also discuss the details of Yucca Mountain, including the geology, the location, and the repository itself.

Natural Gas – Overview and Hazards

Topics include: Properties of natural gas and formation. Overview of locating and refining natural gas. Steps required to use natural gas. Hazards and methods to minimize.

Natural Gas – Extracting, Fracking, Refining

Topics include: Locating natural gas; extraction methods; fracking methods; environmental considerations of fracking; and steps to refine natural gas for use in power plants.

Natural Gas – Pipelines

Topics include: Major types of natural gas pipeline systems: Gathering System, Transmission System, and Distribution System. Compressors and pipeline corrosion protection. Liquefied natural gas and the storage of natural gas.

Transmission/Power Lines Overview

Topics include: Sequence of events from power plant to home; transformers; substations; sequence of events from substation to appliance; types of power lines, substations, and transformers.

Power Lines

Topics include: Types of power lines, including high voltage, community level, and HVDC. Understanding and selecting best power line options, including selection of voltage, material, and wire size. Weather and power lines. Safety of power lines.

Underground Cables

Topics include: Overview of cable systems; where cables are most suitable; choosing underground cables versus above ground lines; geology and underground cables; basic cable design; and practical tips when laying cable.

Utility Operations

Topics include: Operation of utilities. Matching generation with load. Factors affecting quality of power. SCADA and remote communication systems. Quality control of utilities: causes, practical effects, and protection.

Grids

Topics include: Overview of Grids. Advantages and Disadvantage of Grids. Grid operations and power marketing. Grid regions and grid managers. ISOs and FERC. Reliability Councils and NERC. Grid failures. Smart Grids. The future of electrical power distribution. Ideal grid systems.

Efficiency and Toxicology

Topics include: Efficiency of production, efficiency of transmission, efficiency of use, and power factor. Combining efficiencies in calculations. Understanding terms used in toxicology and environmental data: TLV, TWA, STEL, PEL, REL, IDLH, RFD, ppm, and ppb.