ARE 5141 - District Energy Electrical Systems

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits

Course Description
This course will focus on district energy systems (DES) related to electrical systems and will cover the three components to a DES including the central plant, the distribution system, and the consumer interconnection. Master planning will be discussed to analyze all the factors involved in central plant siting including technical issues, economic factors, operation and maintenance, and ultimately, to determine if a building or complex is a candidate for a DES. A central campus electrical service will be examined including the electrical distribution feeders to campus buildings. Electrical loads from the mechanical systems will be considered. Medium and low voltage equipment will be selected. This course will typically run simultaneously and be integrated with the district energy mechanical systems course. (prereq: ARE 5161) (quarter system prereq: AE 3622 or AE 5404, or graduate program director or department chair consent)

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Identify the required components in a district energy system
Design medium and low voltage services and feeders
Devise protection schemes for medium and low voltage feeders to mechanical equipment and electrical distribution equipment
Analyze various distribution topologies and justify selections based on cost and reliability considerations
Discuss the site distribution options used in campus power systems such as tunnels, duct banks and direct-buried cabling
Discuss distributed energy and microgrid resources
Create site power distribution profiles based on existing topography
Design electrical power system for a central utility plant
Design a district energy system with team members for an integrated design

Prerequisites by Topic

None

Course Topics

History, examples, and applicability of district energy systems
Components and benefits of district energy systems
System master planning
Estimating peak, seasonal, and hourly loads
Construction and economic considerations and costs
Electrical considerations for district cooling plants
Electrical service location
Load expansion
System topology
Site distribution routes
Cogeneration
Microgrids and distributed energy
Energy storage
Emergency and standby equipment; design for resiliency
Metering and monitoring
Interconnection standards
Tour a large district energy plant

Coordinator
Christine Brotz, P.E.

Announcement

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ARE 5141 - District Energy Electrical Systems