Introduction to Energy Technology

Course Description

This course introduces students to the broad landscape of energy generation, transmission, and use technologies in the modern power sector. Covering both conventional and emerging energy sources, the course provides foundational knowledge required for technical and managerial roles in the energy industry. ETP 3320 is a upper-division course offered within the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Energy Technology Management and related programs at Florida state colleges.

Students will examine the history and global impact of energy resources, the science underlying various generation technologies, the infrastructure of transmission and distribution systems, and the economic and environmental factors shaping energy policy. The course is aligned with the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) under the Engineering Technologies — Energy Power Technology taxonomy.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, all students will be able to:

• Describe the history of energy development and explain the global impact of both renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
• Identify and compare major energy generation technologies, including fossil fuel (coal, natural gas, oil), nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass systems.
• Explain the fundamental principles of electric power generation, including the role of boilers, turbines, generators, alternators, motors, and pumps.
• Discuss the application of electric power transmission principles, including AC vs. DC systems, transmission equipment, and grid infrastructure.
• Explain the basic operating principles of fossil fuel, hydroelectric, internal combustion, and nuclear reactor systems.
• Discuss the pros and cons of various energy-producing technologies and fuels within the electrical infrastructure.
• Identify alternative and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, ocean/tidal, geothermal, and biodiesel and evaluate their viability.
• Describe Smart Grid technologies and emerging trends in electric power transmission and distribution automation.
• Apply basic scientific and mathematical principles relevant to energy systems analysis, including laws of electricity and magnetism.
• Compare career pathways available in the energy industry, including technician, plant operator, line worker, and managerial roles.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional offerings and instructor emphasis, students may also:

• Conduct a basic site assessment to evaluate a location for renewable energy applications.
• Analyze the economics of energy systems, including levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and cost-benefit comparisons across fuel types.
• Discuss energy policy, regulations, and governance frameworks at the state and federal level, including ownership of the electric transmission system.
• Evaluate environmental impacts of various energy production methods, including greenhouse gas emissions and lifecycle analysis.
• Introduce concepts of hydrogen energy, fuel cells, and energy storage as emerging technology areas.
• Examine the role of electric vehicles (EVs) and demand-side management in the evolving energy landscape.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are consistently covered across Florida college offerings of this course:

• Energy History & Global Context — History of energy use, global energy demand, and the transition from non-renewable to renewable resources.
• Fossil Fuel Technologies — Coal, natural gas, and petroleum: extraction, combustion, power plant operations, and environmental considerations.
• Nuclear Energy — Principles of fission, reactor types, power generation processes, safety systems, and waste management.
• Hydroelectric Power — Types of hydroelectric systems, dam operations, turbine technology, and environmental impacts.
• Solar Energy Technologies — Photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems, components, configurations, and applications.
• Wind Energy Technologies — Wind turbine types, components, siting considerations, and grid integration.
• Geothermal & Biomass/Biofuels — Geothermal principles, biofuel sources, biomass energy conversion, and system design overview.
• Electric Power Generation Fundamentals — Laws of electricity and magnetism, generators, alternators, transformers, motors, and basic circuit principles.
• Electric Power Transmission & Distribution — AC vs. DC transmission, high-voltage transmission equipment, substations, distribution systems, and grid architecture.
• Smart Grid & Grid Modernization — Smart grid concepts, distribution automation, advanced metering infrastructure, and emerging grid technologies.
• Energy Efficiency & Conservation — Demand-side management, energy auditing concepts, and efficiency metrics.
• Environmental & Safety Considerations — Environmental regulations, emissions, safe work practices in the energy industry.

Optional Topics

Instructors may supplement required content with the following:

• Hydrogen Energy & Fuel Cells — Hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and fuel cell types and applications.
• Energy Storage Systems — Battery technologies, pumped hydro storage, and grid-scale energy storage solutions.
• Ocean & Tidal Energy — Wave energy converters, tidal systems, and offshore renewable technologies.
• Energy Economics & Markets — Electricity market structures, pricing mechanisms, LCOE analysis, and policy incentives.
• Electric Vehicles & Transportation Energy — EV technology, charging infrastructure, and integration with the grid.
• Site Assessment & System Design Introduction — Basic methods for evaluating sites for solar, wind, or geothermal installations.
• Carbon Capture & Decarbonization — Overview of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and decarbonization strategies.

Resources & Tools

• Textbook: A college-level introduction to energy systems text covering conventional and renewable technologies (instructor-selected; titles such as Energy: Its Use and the Environment by Hinrichs & Kleinbach are commonly used in Florida programs).
• U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) — eia.gov — Data, reports, and statistics on U.S. and global energy production and consumption.
• Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) — floridapsc.com — Florida-specific utility regulation and energy policy resources.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) — nrel.gov — Technical resources on solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies.
• OSHA Energy Safety Standards — Applicable regulations and safe work practices for the energy sector.
• Simulation & Analysis Tools: Energy modeling software (e.g., PVWatts for solar estimation, HOMER for microgrid modeling) may be introduced as optional supplements.

Career Pathways

Graduates with knowledge from this course are prepared to pursue roles in Florida's growing energy sector, including positions supported by major employers such as Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida, TECO Energy, and municipal utilities. Potential career pathways include:

• Energy Technician — Installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of energy generation and distribution equipment.
• Solar Photovoltaic Installer / Technician — Residential and commercial solar system installation and maintenance.
• Wind Turbine Technician — Operations and maintenance of wind energy systems.
• Smart Grid Technician — Advanced metering, grid automation, and distribution system support.
• Energy Auditor — Assessment of energy efficiency in buildings and industrial facilities.
• Plant / Field Operator — Operations roles at conventional or renewable power generation facilities.
• Energy Technology Manager — Supervisory and management roles in energy operations (primary B.A.S. pathway).
• Environmental Technician / Compliance Specialist — Monitoring and ensuring regulatory compliance in energy production environments.

Special Information

ETP 3320 is an upper-division course (3000-level) offered within the B.A.S. in Energy Technology Management and similar applied bachelor's programs at Florida state colleges. It typically serves as a foundational or gateway course for the B.A.S. upper-division energy curriculum, building on associate-level technical training.

Students completing the B.A.S. in Energy Technology Management and related coursework may be positioned to pursue the following industry credentials:

• NABCEP PV Associate Certification — North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners entry-level solar credential.
• Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) — Offered by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).
• Certified Energy Manager (CEM) — Advanced AEE credential for energy management professionals.
• OSHA 10 / OSHA 30 (Construction or General Industry) — Safety certification relevant to field energy work.

Florida's energy sector is expanding rapidly, with the state being a national leader in solar energy deployment. Students are encouraged to monitor workforce development opportunities through FloridaCommerce and industry partners embedded in local college advisory boards.