Renewable Energy Systems - 2021 entry

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.

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.

 

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

 

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Describe and analyse wave and current data for resource assessment purposes;

2. Display basic competence in the use of industry standard marine data analysis and modelling software;

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.

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.