KD7068 - Renewable Energy Technologies for Electricity Supply

What will I learn on this module?

This module provides you with the opportunity to study the operation of the renewable energy technologies used for electricity generation, covering the aspects of resource assessment, operating characteristics, typical performance levels, economics, and environmental impact. You will also consider the context of the use of renewable energy systems, including aspects relating to power electronics techniques with grid connection and enabling technologies in power processing and energy storage.

The module introduces you to all the renewable technologies that can be used to generate electricity, including solar, water, wind, geothermal and biomass technologies. In addition, other type of renewable energy generation, power conversion and control techniques as well as energy storage technologies associated with the smart grids (e.g. electrical vehicles, power to hydrogen technologies etc) will be covered in this course module.

How will I learn on this module?

The module is delivered through a combination of lectures and with problem-based learning in the seminars, with the latter providing you with an opportunity to discuss within the class a range of issues relating to the implementation of renewable energy (design and operation), both technical and non-technical. You will be provided with lecture notes and relevant reports and articles via the e-learning portal. The students will be inspired to explore more feasible techniques in the renewable energy system individually and conduct an assigned group project to extend their knowledge and understanding in a wider context of renewable energy technology.
The module is assessed by group-based project work with a group presentation in recording (50%) and individual coursework in the form of an assignment (50%), for which you will provide a written report and make a short presentation to the class. The students are required to justify their contribution to the group project work.to The presentation will be based on applying knowledge and a simulation for a case study can also be done. Feedback on your assignment will be provided to you individually for both the report and the presentation, with particular emphasis on constructive advice to help you to enhance your skills. Formative feedback will be provided in the seminars to help you to develop your understanding of the module content and some small and big research projects and real case studies will be presented in the class and will be uploaded (published journal papers and simulation) in the blackboard.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

In addition to the lectures and seminars, you are able to make direct contact with the module team, usually via email in the first instance, where further support is required. This allows the arrangement of ad-hoc individual or group discussions to address specific problems. You will also be regularly referred to supporting resources including relevant texts and multimedia relevant to the module. References to these resources will be made available through the e-learning portal and in lectures and seminars. Individual advice and feedback will be provided on your assignment. These will include course work, lecture notes, seminar exercises, and references to other supporting resources for additional reading such as relevant journal and conference papers by academic staff (plus simulation in appropriate software for example MATLAB and GAMS) or any other research informed publications from well-known authors and multimedia related to the module content (e.g. YouTube Channel or open courses in other universities). If further clarifications are required, you are encouraged to contact the module team directly during lectures, or seminars sessions or outside of the teaching hours by email in the first instance.

The knowledge acquired in this module significantly increases the employability in the field of energy and power systems.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Able to explain the operating characteristics of a range of new and renewable energy generation technologies.
2. Able to interpret resource information in terms of system operation.
3. Able to evaluate and compare the relative merits of the use of these technologies in a variety of electrical supply scenarios, including technical, economic, and environmental considerations.
(AHEP4 : M1 )

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:

4. Able to apply analytical methods for estimating the environmental impact of renewable and other energy systems.
(AHEP4: M1, M2, M4)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Able to develop and present an individual argument covering the technical and non-technical aspects of the implementation of renewable energy technologies.
(AHEP4: M16)

How will I be assessed?

There are two forms of summative assessment:

1- .Coursework 1 (CW1): Group report (3000 words) and presentation (50%). The assessment consists of group presentation and group report, Five students can be recommended to be in one group to conduct assigned group project work. This group report can be divided into several tasks including project background and motivation, literature review, proposed methodology, proposed solution, results and discussion and conclusion. Each students need to be responsible to one of these sessions and classified their individual contribution in the group work. EDI is taken account in the group allocations in terms of gender, ethics, nationality, etc. Regarding presentation part, this will be an oral summary presentation of the project with individual clearly stating their contributions being made in assignment brief. This presentation is pre-recorded by students and group leader will upload both presentation and report in the blackboard for marking. it should be Assessment criteria set out as 1- demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the relevant area for all team members (5%) 2- application of knowledge and understanding to the task for whole team members (5%) 3- ability to select and use appropriate information in support of the argument for all member of the team (5%) 4- ability to communicate using a clear and logical structure and language appropriate to the task for all member of the team (5%). 5- ability critically to evaluate information as appropriate for each member of team individually (5%) 6- ability to reach a clear and reasoned solution for each member of team individually to the problem(s) raised in the task, addressing any ethical and practical issues, as appropriate (25%)
This will address the module learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
2. .Coursework 2 (CW2):Individual assignment (3000 words) and presentation (PRE) (50%). This assessment will evaluate the student’s ability to apply and demonstrate understanding of the renewable technologies and the methods to integrate them to the upstream grids introduced via the lectures and seminars to solve a range of engineering-oriented problems (showing them real case studies). The individual feedback is provided on the student’s report, and the student can access to his/her own feedback via the elp. Live presentation will be done by students, and it can help them to show their communication skills and their knowledge in the topic delivered. This will address the module learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.


FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
1. Course seminars. This will address the module learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Formative feedback will be provided via class discussions in seminar sessions. Individual written feedback will be provided on both aspects of the summative assessment via the elp.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

As an electrical engineer, you are increasingly likely to be dealing with renewable energy systems as part of your career, since they are making an important and growing contribution to the world’s energy supply, especially in relation to the issues of energy security and climate change. Distributed energy systems (including distributed generation and energy storage) are expected to play a strong role in the future smart energy system (especially in multi-vector energy systems). In this module, you will learn about the technical principles and operational impacts of the major renewable energy technologies used to produce electricity, through a combination of lectures and group seminars. The module links to ongoing research within the University and elsewhere, to ensure that you are able consider the development of the technologies as well as their current status and understand the techniques by which renewable energy technologies are measured and assessed. This module provides you with underpinning knowledge that you can build upon throughout your career in electrical engineering. This module builds on the fundamentals of smart energy to focus on active energy demand technologies in the active distribution networks, the potential for flexibility in their operation, and renewable energy technologies.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years full-time (with advanced practice in second year)
2 other options available

Department Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024 or January 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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