Project Discussion,

Career & Ethics

MAE 455: Design of Thermal Systems
Project Discussion
Solar Parking Canopies on the UAH Campus
Project Topic: Spring 2023

• The goal of this project is to analyze the viability of solar power

canopies on a parking lot on the UAH campus.
• Your group will be assigned one parking lot from a set of 25
parking lots on the UAH campus.
• You will research and propose a solar parking canopy power
generation installation for that lot.
• Your goal is to assess the following metrics for your solar parking
lot installation
• Annual AC energy (kWh)
• Energy yield (kWh/kW)
• Net present value
• Capital cost
• Levelized cost of electricity (¢/kWh)
• Payback period.
• The first four of these metrics should be determined on a total basis for
the solar canopy installation and per parking space in the lot.
Project Topic: Spring 2023

• In addition to the analysis on the prior slide, you must

address at least two of the following additional questions
in your project:
• Are there adjacent buildings that can be supported by the
installation? What are the energy requirements of these
buildings and what percentage of those requirements might be
met?
• How do adjacent buildings and other objects impact the
performance of your installation?
• Is it worthwhile to integrate energy storage with your
installation? How does adding energy storage impact your
system performance?
• Is it worthwhile to integrate electric vehicle charging stations
with your installation? How does adding EV charging impact
your system performance?
• What are some other impacts of your solar canopy installation?
These impacts could include secondary energy benefits from
cooling effects, materials disposal at decommissioning, and
other societal impacts.
Project Proposal
Due 2/19/23
• Each student group will submit a proposal outlining their planned
semester project.
• The proposal serves as the main guide for your project work.
• The proposal stage should be taken as seriously as any other stage of
the project, if not more so.
• Proper conceptualization and scoping of the project at this stage is vital
to project success.
• The proposal must include these following items at a minimum:
• A section connecting the project work to broader issues in energy systems and
thermal sciences
• A section, based on open literature, outlining existing work related to the
project
• A clear and concise statement of the project objectives
• A section explaining in detail the engineering analysis that will be applied to
achieve the project objectives (This section may include any preliminary
calculations or analysis performed.)
• A task breakdown structure clearly articulating the tasks to be accomplished
and the responsibilities designated to each group member
• A project timeline with key milestones specified for the project period
Status Update
Due 3/12/23

• Each group will provide a Status Update on their

project work.
• This update should include:
• Responses to specific instructor comments on the
Proposal
• An overview of work completed to date
• An updated task list with status of each proposed task
• A discussion of any issues with the project or changes
made to the proposed approach
Project Presentation
Due 4/18/23
• Each student group will provide a presentation outlining the work and
key results of their semester project.
• The Project Presentation should include the following content related to
the Project Report sections:
• A high-level description of the project
• A clear and concise statement of the project objectives
• A motivation statement connecting the project to broader issues in energy
systems and thermal sciences
• An explanation of the methods applied to achieve the project objectives
• A discussion of the key results and insights from your work
• A concluding or summary statement
• Additional comments
• The total presentation time will be set based on the number of project groups.
• Total presentation time per group will time for the main presentation, Q&A, and
switching between groups.
• It is preferred that the presentation time be divided evenly among the group
members.
• Presentations will be given in two time slots.
• During the last lecture session for each section, Wednesday 4/19
• During the final exam session for each section, Friday 4/28
Project Report
Due 4/23/23
• Each student group will submit a report presenting the context, work,
and findings of their semester project.
• The project report must include these following items at a minimum:
• An “Abstract” that provides a summary of the project report including major
activities, key results, and recommendations
• The abstract should be 500-750 words.
• An “Introduction” section that includes the following:
• A description of the project efforts
• A clear and concise statement of the project objectives
• An explanation of how the project work connects to broader issues in energy systems and
thermal sciences
• A discussion, based on open literature with references, outlining existing work related to
the project
• A “Methods” section explaining in detail the engineering analysis and relevant
assumptions applied to achieve the project objectives
• A “Results” section presenting the results and findings of the project efforts
• A “Discussion” section presenting observations based on the results, any
limitations in the approach applied, and recommendations for future work or
improvement of the analysis
• A “Conclusions” section providing:
• A brief summary of the project efforts
• A brief summary of the key findings
• Recommendations for future work or improvements on the work completed
Career and Ethics
 A Career Example
College Year 1 College Year 4
Fall: Classes Fall: Classes, PT work (coffee shop)
Winter: Classes Spring: Completed co-op program
Spring: Classes, look for co-op job Summer: Classes, PT work (convenience store)
Summer: Part time summer work,
Land co-op job at Pratt & Whitney College Year 5
Fall: Classes, PT work (coffee shop)
College Year 2 Spring: Classes, PT work (coffee shop)
Fall: Co-op term Summer: Classes, PT work (outfitters)
Winter: Classes
Spring: Co-op term College Year 6
Summer: Classes Fall: Classes, PT work (coffee shop), UG research
Spring: Classes, PT work (coffee shop), UG research
College Year 3
Fall: Co-op term Gap Year
Spring: Classes, PT work (bagels) Assistant
Summer: Co-op term Research
Grad School Professor
Professional Society Ethics

• National Society of Professional Engineers

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers

• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

• Pretty much every other professional organization

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ASME Code of Ethics
Fundamental Principles

• Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor

and dignity of the engineering profession by:
• Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of
human welfare;

• Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity

their clients (including their employers) and the public;
and

• Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the

engineering profession

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AIAA Code of Ethics
• Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in the performance
of their duties;
• Promote the lawful and ethical interests of AIAA and the aerospace profession;
• Reject bribery, fraud, and corruption in all their forms;
• Properly credit the contributions of others, accept and offer honest and
constructive criticism of technical work; and acknowledge and correct errors;
• Avoid harming others, their property, their reputations or their employment
through false or malicious statements or through unlawful or otherwise
wrongful acts;
• Issue statements or present information in an objective and truthful manner,
based on available data;
• Avoid real and perceived conflicts of interest, and act as honest and fair agents
in all professional interactions;
• Undertake only those tasks for which we are qualified by training or experience,
or for which we can reasonably become qualified with proper preparation,
education, and training;
• Maintain and improve our technical and professional competencies throughout
our careers and provide opportunities for the professional development of
those engineers under our supervision;
• Treat fairly and respectfully all colleagues and co-workers, recognizing their
unique contributions and capabilities. 13
Some Suggestions for Success
Just trying to help here
• Personal Integrity
• Treat others as you wish to be treated.
• Know your capabilities and follow through.
• Time Management
• Set goals and objectives (write them down).
• Determine activities to achieve goals/objectives.
• Set your priorities for activities.
• Estimate time requirements.
• Schedule activities.
• Follow up on the schedule.
• Competence
• It won’t always be 100%.
• It can always be better.
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A few quotes to consider

• “You are not obligated to finish the work, but you

are not free to walk away from it.” –Pirkei Avot 2:21

• “When you reach the top of the mountain, keep

climbing.” –The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac

• “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are.

It is our choices.” –Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets, J. K. Rowling

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Some Questions to Ask
This is from Hillel.

• If I am not for myself, who will be for me?

• If I am only for myself, who am I?

• If not now, when?

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Two More Questions
Think about these.

• Can we do it?

• Should we do it?

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Engineering Licensure
Some brief comments

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The What and Why of Licensure

• A Professional Engineer (PE) license

• Demonstrates your competency as an engineer and mastery
key elements of the engineering profession
• Establishes requirements for maintaining and growing your
engineering skills through continuing education
• Why get a P.E. license?
• Prestige: You gain the respect of the public and esteem of
your colleagues.
• Career Development: You show commitment to the
profession and are eligible for positions of higher authority.
• Authority: Only a PE can sign and approve official engineering
plans, drawings, and designs.
• Flexibility: You can be a specialist within a company or
establish your own engineering practice.
• Money: On average, PEs are paid more than non-licensed
engineers. 19
How do you become a PE?

• Obtain a four-year degree from an ABET accredited

engineering program, like UAH.

• Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam and

become an Engineering Intern or Engineer in Training.

• Complete four years of progressive engineering experience

under the guidance and supervision of a PE.

• Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam.

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Open Discussion

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