Course Description:

This course caters to Engineers, Technicians, Facilities Managers, Energy Professionals, Architects, and others who are interested in enhancing their understanding of solar renewable energy and would like to learn about methods, best practices, and strategies for the selection of the most suitable solar renewable energy alternative, with technical, geographic and financial feasibility in mind. The course highlights the four-pillar approach or perspective on the formulation of a business entity’s energy vision and how solar and non-solar renewable energy options fit within. Participants are primed by an introduction to a few important fundamentals of energy, energy facts, and the “grid” to set the tone for better comparison of the current sources of energy with optimal renewable energy alternatives, solar or non-solar. The importance of the concept of the most direct application of solar or non-solar renewable sources to the final energy demand point is highlighted. After the introduction, this seminar dives into some of the more proven and mainstream solar renewable energy topics. The current footprint and specific applications of major solar renewable energy systems are examined. Key differences between solar heat and solar PV systems are highlighted. Since renewable energy storage is gaining increased importance – as companion investment to actual solar investments - various proven energy storage technologies are explored, including batteries, flywheels, and electrolysis systems. Hybrid, Off-Grid, solar, and wind renewable energy systems are discussed. The utilization of solar light in daylighting applications is covered. The combined use of daylighting, energy conservation, and PV in Zero Energy Buildings is explained, aided by real-life examples. The use of solar heat in building heating and cooling processes is highlighted. Futuristic, space-based, solar PV array-type solar energy harnessing systems are presented and explained through illustration. Participants are apprised of major solar energy installations currently in operation and some that are work-in-process, in the US and abroad. The discussion on solar renewable energy is sustained by diagrams, schematics, and pictures of major renewable energy systems.

Learning Objectives - Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• See the role of solar and renewable energy within the four-pillar energy vision that every energy manager should consider.
• Perform technical/engineering and cost comparisons between energy obtained from the grid versus the energy harnessed from solar and non-solar renewable sources. Identify and quantify the technical and financial benefits of solar renewable energy systems.
• Specify and implement solar renewable energy systems that leverage the direct application of solar renewable energy sources to the point of use, thus maximizing the efficiency and net benefit of renewable energy systems.
• Examine and assess alternative solar renewable energy technologies based on physics and engineering principles that correlate physical parameters, climactic conditions, and geographical locations to the power and energy output of solar renewable systems.
• Evaluate technical/engineering strengths and weaknesses of major solar renewable energy technologies relative to other renewable technologies like wind, biomass, geothermal, and the grid.
• Follow progress on some of the primary, more recent, notable solar renewable projects in the world. Learn from the lessons learned on these projects in the past to avoid pitfalls in the design/specification of solar and other renewable energy systems in the future.
• Identify some of the more unbiased and reliable technical and commercial information sources in the energy arena; thus, staying abreast of progress and current data in the solar renewable energy realm, beyond this seminar.

Topics:

• Four-faceted superordinate energy management perspective.
• Energy Facts.
• Energy Basics.
• Electrical Power Basics.
• Load Factor Capacity Factor in the Solar Energy Realm.
• Comparison of solar energy versus other renewable and non-renewable energy technologies.
• Cost comparison of solar versus other renewable technologies.
• The history, importance, and benefits of most direct applications of renewable technologies to the point of use.
• Solar renewable energy storage systems.
• Capacity factor-based comparison of solar versus other renewable and non-renewable energy sources
• Solar Technologies:
• Introduction to different types of solar technologies and their inherent differences
• Solar energy trend.
• Solar Heating:
• Use of solar heat for buildings.
• Use of solar heat to serve hot water needs.
• Use of solar heat in HVAC applications.
• Solar Lighting:
• Daylighting solutions.
• Solar-LED/ Florescent hybrid illumination.
• Solar Heat – Renewable Electrical Power Generation Technologies:
• Solar CSP Systems.
• Solar Power Towers.
• Solar Trough.
• Solar CSP, Power Tower, and Solar Trough Challenges.
• Solar Chimney Technology.
• Solar “Neo-Base-Load” technology with energy storage capability.
• Off-grid Solar – Wind Hybrid Technology.
• Photovoltaic Renewable Energy:
• Introduction to Solar PV Technology.
• Differences between different types of PV technology, their pros, and cons.
• Application of Solar PV in Zero Energy Buildings.
• Residential application of Solar PV systems and devices.
• Examples of PV in aviation, transportation, and other commercial applications.
• Solar Floating Farms.
• PV Systems and Energy Storage.
• Major Solar Energy Projects – US and International.
• Financial justification and implementation of energy projects.
• Solar and other renewable energy information sources.

Why you shouldn’t miss this seminar – How this seminar can benefit your organization or clients; what is unique about this course:

• Are you responsible for identifying the most suitable solar renewable energy alternative, for your operations or those of your clients, and you feel inadequately prepared to lead the effort, or perhaps you don’t know where to begin? Then, this seminar is a must.
• Do you manage or lead a group of energy or engineering professionals responsible for identifying solar or other renewable energy solutions and managing solar renewable energy projects, but you feel that your knowledge and understanding of solar renewable energy is somewhat inadequate, and needs enhancement and greater breadth? Then you must not miss this proven and frequently updated seminar.
• Do you feel that the financial justification of solar renewable energy – or energy conservation projects, in general, is an “uphill battle” in your organization? Then, this seminar will allow you to air your challenges and frustrations. You will learn about some proven approaches – both technical and financial – for successful solar renewable energy project funding and implementation.
• As an engineer or energy professional, do you feel inadequately equipped to comprehensively compare various solar and non-solar renewable energy alternatives – from a technical and financial feasibility vantage point? Then, this seminar will present an excellent opportunity to remedy that.

How often do you get a chance to attend a course or a seminar that is presented by the author of books on the relevant subject matter - in person? In this seminar, you will have the opportunity to interact and learn from Prof. Bobby Rauf, the author of the texts, titled:

• Thermodynamics Made Simple for Energy Engineers,
• Finance and Accounting for Energy Engineers.
• Electrical Engineering for Non-Electrical Engineers.
• Electrical Engineering Fundamentals. Some seminars and courses become monotonous monologues from the presenter to the audience. Not this one. In this seminar, you will get an opportunity to air questions, and share your success stories – as well as frustrations - in the solar and non-solar energy arena. You will learn how to avoid costly mistakes and engage the instructor and other attendees in discussions.

Who should take this live class?

• Licensed PEs, Professional Engineers, and CEMs, Certified Energy Managers who need to meet the license or certification renewal PDH (Professional Development Hour) or CEU (Continuing Education Unit) requirements. This seminar couples engineering concepts and knowledge with solar renewable energy concepts and best practices.
• Facility Managers, Plant Engineers, Engineering Managers, Energy Professionals, Architects, Project Managers, and other Executives who feel a need to enhance their solar renewable energy engineering knowledge, to make informed decisions on solar and other renewable energy projects or programs.
  Professionals, who do not possess prior experience or knowledge in the solar renewable energy realm, including Project Management Staff, Energy Project Financial Analysts, and Technical Writers.
• Procurement/Purchasing Professionals who are responsible for obtaining solar renewable solar energy project proposals.
• Construction managers who manage solar renewable energy project installations.
• Other professionals whose annual PLP, Performance and Learning Program, include solar energy engineering courses, training, or seminars.

List of Past and Current Clients:

Prof. Rauf of Sem-Train has provided training and/or consulting services to over 5000 engineers and non-engineers through some of the following organizations, over the last fifteen years:

• Amazon, AWS.
• Patrick Engineering.
• BHP Billiton.
• Saudi Aramco (Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
• US Bureau of Reclamation (Hoover Dam)
• US Dept. of State (SemTrain, LLC, is SAM/CAGE approved for Federal Contracts).
• CED.
• Balfour Beatty.
• Shaw Group.
• McNeese University.
• University of North Carolina, Charlotte.
• Texas AM; University,
• Clemson University,
• PPG Industries, Inc.,
• PDHengineer,
• PPI, Professional Publications.
• University of Maryland Baltimore County,
• EPIC (Canada).
• Y-F Asia – Singapore.
• Duke Energy.

Sem-Train is an Approved sponsor of PDH (CPC and CEU) Engineering and Energy Courses:

With boards that require preapproval of engineering and energy continuing education course providers. Examples of such boards include the following:

• North Carolina (NCBELS).
• New York (NYSED).
• Florida (FBPE).
• Maryland.
• New Jersey – Approval expected by Oct. 20, 2017.

Instructor Bio:

• Professor S. Bobby Rauf, P.E, C.E.M, MBA; Member, ASEE, American Society of Engineering Education and AEE, Association of Energy Engineers.
• Professor Bobby Rauf is the President, Chief Consultant, and a Senior Instructor at Sem-Train, LLC. Bobby has over 25 years of experience in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate Engineering, Science, Math, Business Administration, and MBA courses, seminars, and workshops. Prof. Rauf is a registered (PE) Professional Engineer, in the States of North Carolina, Virginia, and Wyoming, and is a Certified Energy Manager and a Certified Ergonomist.
• Prof. Rauf was inducted as a “Legend in Energy” by AEE, in 2014. He is a published author of multiple engineering and energy books, and professional development courses. He holds a patent in process controls technology.
• Prof. Rauf develops and instructs PDH (Professional Development Hour) and, continuing education, engineering skill-building courses. He conducts these courses in form of webinars, lives on-site presentations, workshops, and pre-recorded audio and self-study texts.
• Prof. Rauf’s last full-time engineering employment, in the corporate world, was at PPG Industries, Inc. where he served as a Senior Staff Engineer. He brings to this program more than 30 years of hands-on experience in a broad spectrum of areas within large industrial plant engineering and plant maintenance departments, including electrical, controls, energy, and mechanical projects. Professor Rauf has served as Adjunct Professor at Gardner-Webb University since 1989, where he has instructed classes in both the B.A. and M.B.A. programs.

Professor Rauf’s publications include (Available through AEE, River Publishers, Amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble; Google: Bobby Rauf):

• A textbook titled “Electrical Engineering Fundamentals.” Published in 2020, through Taylor Francis, for worldwide distribution.
• A textbook titled “Thermodynamics Made Simple for Energy Engineers,” 2nd Edition by River Publishers, 2023 – Worldwide distribution.
• A textbook titled “Finance and Accounting for Energy Engineers,” 2nd Edition by River Publishers, 2023 – Worldwide distribution.
• A textbook titled “Electrical Engineering for Non-Electrical Engineering,” The 3rd Edition by River Publishers, 2021 – Worldwide distribution.