Renewable Energy Systems - 2019 entry

MODULE TITLE	Renewable Energy Systems	CREDIT VALUE	30
MODULE CODE	ENEM101	MODULE CONVENER	Prof Xiaoyu Yan (Coordinator)

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS	12	0	0

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	20

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Starting with a background in current energy mix, the challenges of cutting carbon emissions and the barriers to new energy technologies this module will cover a number of renewable energy technologies from their fundamental operational principles to the latest developments. It will explore design considerations for project development and operations and maintenance. Wind, solar, marine and renewable heating will be explored in detail. Hydro power, geothermal and conventional energy will also be covered.

A background in the fundamental principles of general engineering will be required.

AIMS - intentions of the module

After setting the context of the conventional energy mix the module will cover the fundamental operating principles of a range of renewable energy technologies. The history of their development, the current state of commercial deployment and the latest innovations will be covered for wind, solar, marine renewables and renewable heat energy technologies. An overview of energy storage and grid integration of renewable generation will be included as will design and planning constraints for wind, solar and marine renewables.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Understand the harmonic theory of tides, and have an ability to synthesise time series of tidal height and tidal current data for resource assessment purposes;
2. Display basic competence in the use of the nearshore wave modelling software SWAN for wave propagation and resource assessment;

3. Grasp power conversion principles, devices and technology used to harness wave and tidal energy, and issues relating to device operation and the production of power;

4. Understand the development of marine energy as an industry, including the pathway and pace of the development of the technology, with appreciation of the challenges at each stage;

5. Understand the technical characteristics of wind turbines;

6. Show understanding of the process of the design and project development process for wind farms;

7. Apply mathematical methods to analyse new and/or abstract wind resource data and wind farm situations, without guidance, to produce statements of the wind energy resource at specific sites;

8. Gain comprehensive knowledge of the planning and permitting process for wind energy developments, and have developed critical understanding of the successes and failures of the UK system;

9. Acquire comprehensive knowledge and understanding of solar energy potential, its geographical variance and the implications for the use of solar technology in the UK and elsewhere;

10. Apply, scientific and mathematical methods to analyse new and/or abstract insolation data and, without guidance, can produce bankable statements of the solar energy resource at specific sites, for both solar thermal and solar electricity applications;

11. Acquire, and apply scientific and mathematical methods, and knowledge of precedent practice, in the design and project development processes for solar energy projects;

12. Understand the principles of deep geothermal heat and power systems;

13. Understand the principles of heat pump applications;

14. Show knowledge, understanding, and ability to quantify the relative capacities and efficiencies of various types of energy storage technologies;

15. Apply the knowledge and understanding of energy storage systems to identify optimal energy storage solutions in varying application areas;

16. Compare various batteries in the light of characteristics such as open circuit potential, power density, energy efficiency and charge-discharge behaviour;

17. Understand electrical issues associated with renewable generators including grid connection and power purchase agreements;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

18. Apply mathematical and statistical methods (in software or otherwise) for resource assessment calculations;
19. Critically evaluate scientific knowledge and apply it to the engineering context;

20. Evaluate technical and commercial risk;

21. Identify and size an energy storage system for a given application;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

22. Demonstrate sufficient time planning and management skills to produce a report requiring a diverse application of knowledge and skills;
23. Synthesise data from a range of sources and draw appropriate conclusions;

24. Show familiarity and some proficiency in the use of industry-standard software packages.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Industrial context: Existing energy systems and consequential issues including climate change, air quality and diminishing energy reserves.

Renewable energy technologies: Operational principles of wind, solar, marine, low carbon heating technologies and energy storage technologies. State of development of each technology and future direction.

Siting of renewable technologies: Resource assessment, planning constraints, site optimisation and economic viability.

Design tools: The use of specialist industry software for identifying suitable sites, optimising layout and quantifying energy generation.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	60	Guided Independent Study	240	Placement / Study Abroad	0

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	40	Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	20	Workshops
Guided independent study	240	Private study

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	50	Written Exams	50	Practical Exams	0

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of Credit	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Research report	15	2000 words	All	Written feedback on assignment topsheet
Feasibility study	35	4000 words	All	Written feedback on assignment topsheet
Examination	50	2 hours	All	Verbal upon request

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment	Form of Re-assessment	ILOs Re-assessed	Time Scale for Re-assessment
Research report	Research report	All	Ref/Def Week
Feasibility study	Feasibility study	All	Ref/Def Week
Examination	Examination	All	Ref/Def Week

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

50% Coursework + 50% Examination

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module:

Type	Author	Title	Publisher	Year	ISBN
Set	Boyle, G., Everett, B., Ramage, J.	Energy Systems and Sustainability	OUP	2003	000-0-199-26179-2
Set	Boyle, G.	Renewable Energy: power for a sustainable future	Open University Press	2012	0-199-26179-2
Set	Scheer, H.	A Solar Manifesto	James & James	2004	1 902916 24 7
Set	Burton, T	Wind energy handbook	Chichester: John Wiley	2001	0471489972
Set	Goodall, C	The Switch	Profile Books	2016	9781781256350

CREDIT VALUE	30	ECTS VALUE	15

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	7	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Tuesday 10th July 2018	LAST REVISION DATE	Tuesday 10th July 2018

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Renewable Energy

_{Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.}