Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton

The module introduces the fundamentals of energy, describes principles of energy conversion and energy systems, provides a basic knowledge of the most promising renewable energy systems, and provides an overview of materials to be studied in the MSc programme.

The aims of this module are to:

• To introduce fundamentals of energy
• To describe principles of energy conversion and energy systems
• To provide a basic knowledge of the most promising renewable energy systems
• To provide an overview of materials to be studied in the MSc programme

Objectives (planned learning outcomes)

Knowledge and understanding
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Fundamentals of energy and principles of energy conversion
• Principles of heat engines, fuel cells, photovoltaic cells, electromechanical generators
• Pros and cons of different renewable energy technologies
• Environmental and social impact of energy technologies

Intellectual skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

• Search and critically review technical literature
• Analyse complex energy systems
• Compare different engineering technologies from various perspectives
• Write an essay on a technical topic

Practical skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

• Possess the basic skills to work in energy and related industry or the government

General transferable (key) skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

• Think, observe, communicate, evaluate information and data, analyse and solve problems

Energy Fundamentals (2 Lectures, KL):
Energy Overview. Definition of energy. Energy quality, density and intensity. Sources of energy: fossil fuels and renewables. History of energy technology. Importance of energy. Energy demands, consumption and future trends.

Principles of Energy Conversion and Energy Systems (2 Lectures, KL):
Forms of energy: kinetic, potential, heat, chemical, bio, electrical, electromagnetic, nuclear, etc. The law of energy conservation. The second law of thermodynamics. Energy Conversion efficiency. Introduction to energy systems. System efficiency. Energy sustainability.

Heat Engines (2 Lectures, KL):
Definition of heat engines. Principles of heat engines. Types of heat engines: steam engines, internal combustion engines, gas turbine engines, etc. Heat, mechanical work and entropy. Ideal and real engine cycles. Cycle efficiency. Cogeneration. Combustion fundamentals. Engine emissions and regulations.

Electrochemical Energy Conversion (4 Lectures, FW):
Electrochemical vs. conventional energy conversion routes. Types of electrochemical cells for energy conversion. Definitions of batteries, fuel cells, redox flow cells. Principle of fuel cells. Types of fuel cells. Examples of applications.

Electromechanical Energy Conversion (4 Lectures, JS):
Principles of electromechanical energy conversion. Synchronous generators. Doubly fed induction generators. Emerging alternative generators for renewable. Efficiency of electrical networks.

Solar Energy Conversion (4 Lectures, TM):
Solar radiation. Electromagnetic energy. Solar spectra. Scattering and absorption. The greenhouse effect. Types of solar energy conversion: photosythesis, thermal electrical conversion, photochemical conversion, photoelectrical conversion. Introduction to photovoltaic cells. Energy storage. Applications: domestic, industrial and space. CHP.

Other Renewable Energy Systems (4 Lectures, ST/GH):
Importance of renewable energies. Wind power. Hydropower and tidal power. Nuclear fission and fusion. Biomass. Geothermal power. Economics of energy technologies. Social and environmental impact. Review of fundamental fluid mechanics associated with environmental flows from wind, wave and tide. Overview of propulsive power requirements for marine transportation systems.

Teaching methods include

• Lectures
• Tutorials

Learning activities include

• Directed reading
• Essays/technical writing
• Laboratories
• Industrial visits

Background Texts

JB Heywood, Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals, McGraw Hill.

BE Milton, Thermodynamics, Combustion and Engines, Chapman & Hall.

M Westbrook, The electric car, IEE.

J. Larminie and A. Dicks, Fuel Cells Systems Explained, Wiley, Chichester, 2001.

T. Markvart, Solar Electricity (2nd edition), Wiley, Chichester (2000)

A. Goetzberger, J. Knobloch and B. Voss, Crystalline silicon solar cells, Wiley, Chichester, 1998.

M.A. Green, Solar Cells: Operating Principles, Technology and Practice. Prentice Hall, New York, 1982.

M.A. Green, Silicon Solar Cells: Advanced Principles and Practice. Centre for Photovoltaic Devices and Systems, University of New South Wales (1995).

H.S. Rauschenbach, Solar cell array design handbook : the principles and technology of photovoltaic energy conversion, New York, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.

M. Archer and R. Hill (eds) Clean Electricity from Photovoltaics, Imperial College Press / World Scientific, London (2001)

T. Markvart and L. Castañer, Practical Handbook of Photovoltaics: Fundamentals and Applications, Elsevier, Oxford (2003)

F. Lasnier and T.G. Ang, Photovoltaic Engineering Handbook, Adam Hilger, Bristol, 1990.

Feedback and student support during module study (formative assessment)

• Feedback will be given on coursework, essays, group project report and presentation.
• Learning materials and some feedback will be displayed on the blackboard

Relationship between the teaching, learning and assessment methods and the planned learning outcomes

The combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratories, industrial visits, coursework, and a group would be an effective way to achieve the learning outcomes of the introductory module. The lectures lay the foundation and impart knowledge. The laboratory visits familiarise practical energy systems. The industrial visits will enable students to see how energy systems work in practice and motivate them to learn. The coursework will test students' abilities to solve problems and communicate results. The three pieces of coursework will be in the three main topics in the module: Energy fundamentals and Heat Engines; Electrochemical, Electromechanical and Solar Energy Conversion; and Energy from the Environment. These will be submitted on Mondays in Week 4, 5 and 6, respectively. The group project teaches students methods of information search, critical review, data analysis, conceptual design, and technical writing. The submission of group project report will be on Monday in Week 10.