What Are Innovative Thesis Topics in Renewable Energy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding innovative thesis topics in renewable energy, particularly for an undergraduate thesis. Participants express challenges in selecting a suitable topic that meets their professor's requirements for complexity and the inclusion of prototypes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks suggestions for thesis topics in renewable energy after failing to get approval for common types like solar, wind, thermal, and biomass.
  • Another participant clarifies that the thesis is for an undergraduate program and mentions the professor's demand for a complex topic that does not involve common renewable energy sources.
  • Suggestions include exploring "Energy Conservation via the Smart Grid" as a potential topic, with a focus on energy conservation as a renewable energy source.
  • A participant expresses interest in integrating Smart Grid concepts with renewable energy but struggles with the requirement for prototypes and the limited timeframe for research.
  • Advice is given to explore the Department of Energy's website for current topics in renewable energy and to consult with university sustainability initiatives for potential thesis ideas.
  • One participant mentions a geothermal energy project as an example of innovative technology in the renewable energy sector.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for innovative and complex topics in renewable energy, but there are multiple competing views on what constitutes an appropriate topic and how to meet the professor's requirements. The discussion remains unresolved regarding specific thesis topics.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions of renewable energy sources and the feasibility of proposed topics within the constraints of time and resources. There are unresolved questions about the integration of Smart Grid technology with renewable energy prototypes.

jemilyn
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i am having problem on making my thesis about renewable energy. I proposed all of the common kinds of renewable energy there is from solar,wind,thermal to biomass but still got nothing approved. Could anyone here please suggest topics for my thesis.. i am really short of time. :frown:. really appreciate it.. Thanks
 
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jemilyn said:
i am having problem on making my thesis about renewable energy. I proposed all of the common kinds of renewable energy there is from solar,wind,thermal to biomass but still got nothing approved. Could anyone here please suggest topics for my thesis.. i am really short of time. :frown:. really appreciate it.. Thanks

Welcome to the PF.

What level in school is this thesis/prototype for? Undergraduate senior college level project, or masters thesis, or higher?

And your title says "project", but your text asks about a thesis subject. Are you building what you are writing about?

Is a subject like "Energy Conservation via the Smart Grid" a possibility? Is conservation considered a renewable energy "source" for the purposes of this project?
 
oops, I'm sorry i was just so much in a hurry composing the post. Anyway, it is an undergraduate thesis with general topic of renewable energy. Our professor is not allowing us to make a prototype out of the common kinds of renewable energy. He wants us to make a complicated one. I tried the molten salt as solar thermal storage it did not worked with him.
 
also berkeman, I am an Electrical Engineering student graduating this year. I am finding it hard to come up with a good topic cause our professor is really demanding for a topic that is not common and somewhat complicated as what he said. He is also asking us to use a prototype for this research. Thanks for responding to my query.
 
Have you tried asking your professor the question that I asked above?

Is a subject like "Energy Conservation via the Smart Grid" a possibility? Is conservation considered a renewable energy "source" for the purposes of this project?

Many power utility companies consider energy conservation to be a form of energy, since conservation can replace the generation of new/extra energy. One of the goals of the Smart Grid is to help with energy conservation and distribution, as well as reducing peak demand (which helps to reduce the need to add more energy generation capability).

So if it might be a topic that would qualify, you would need to research the Smart Grid a bit, especially the features that support energy conservation and reduction of peak energy demand. It could be a very smart and compelling paper.
 
Thank you so much berkeman for this data. I am reading on Smart Grid and it is more inclined into forecasting climate in order to maximize the use of the source. I can integrate it to renewable energy but my professor is requesting for presence of prototypes. I just can't put my finger on how will I make that Smart Grid thing possible considering time-frame given to me which is two months and the cost this entire research will reach. I am lookin at Solar energy to be used in this research will this work? please do enlighten me. I believe I am missing something i just can't put my finger on it. Thank you so much :smile:
 
berkeman said:
Have you tried asking your professor the question that I asked above?

No I haven't. I am planning to make everything settled like my own questions about this before I present this to my professor. But I am so much interested into this topic there are just few things I need to figure out. :smile:
 
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I am an Energy Program Manager in DC; if you want to find an interesting topic, spend some time on the Dept of Energy's website and get a better understanding of what some of the current topics are in the renewable energy space. Additionally, find out what your university is doing to become more sustainable, talk to the sustainability director and see what would be of interest to the school.
Eflat.
 
i hope i didnt come across snippy in last post,, which has been since deleted...

no offense meant - just wanted to suggest a friendly push back at professor and i worded it poorly.

DOE has a "Small Business Initiative" program
http://science.energy.gov/sbir/

i don't know if Eflat is in that part of DOE or not.
My dealings were with a Ms Feltus, a very nice lady.

explore that site and see what others are doing - with DOE's help.

see also awea.org
what area of counrty are you in?
 
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  • #10
Hi Jim,

I'm with the local government.
 
  • #11
Geothermal energy developers plan to pump 24 million gallons of water into the side of a dormant volcano in Central Oregon this summer to demonstrate new technology they hope will give a boost to a green energy sector that has yet to live up to its promise.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=157&sid=18868009&s_cid=rss-157
 

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