Module overview
On completion of the module, you will have developed a broad understanding of energy resources, engineering technologies for energy conversion and have an appreciation of solutions available to meet the world's power demands. You will be able to formulate engineering solutions to specific energy and power problems, utilising either renewable energy systems or traditional power technologies. You will also appreciate the need for a broad mix of energy-generating technologies in a modern economy.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Defend a chosen engineering solution. [EA7M, EL9M]
- Predict the performance of energy systems, e.g. power station output, wind turbine, PV array. [EA5M, EA7M]
- Identify and evaluate an engineering approach to a given problem. [EA7M, P12M]
- Analyse the environmental and economic risk associated with a given approach. [EA5M, EA7M, EL8M, EL9M, P12M]
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Engineering approach to solution of problems. [EA5M, EA7M]
- Information handling. [EA7M, P10m]
- Report Writing. [G1]
- Exercise independent judgement. [SM8M, EA7M, G1]
- Oral presentation. [G1]
- Critical Analysis. [P10m]
- Problem analysis and problem solving. [EA7M]
- Poster Presentation. [G1]
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Energy supply and demand. (SM7M, SM8M)
- The relationship between resources, energy generation and use. [SM7M]
- Fundamental limitations of energy conversion. [SM7M]
- Interactions and differences between technologies and the need for a diverse energy mix. [SM8M]
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Produce a graphically interesting and technically concise poster. [G1]
- Demonstrate practical skills necessary for the execution of a project. [G1]
- Research for further information to develop appropriate ideas in the energy field. [EA7M, EA5M, G1]
- Assemble appropriate information from the lectures and elsewhere to satisfy the needs for your tasks in the energy field. [SM8M, EA7M]
- Apply knowledge in energy to convey applicability of certain technologies. [EA5M]
- Write a well structured, clear and concise report. [G1]
Syllabus
The course will endeavour to cover the following topics
A. Overview of energy resources Fossil fuel: oil, gas, coal, nuclear (fission, fusion). Renewables: wind, wave, tidal, solar, geothermal and hydropower. Principles of energy production.
B. Energy usage Industrialised country energy usage. Energy use in the UK. Current infrastructure to meet UK demand.
C. Electricity generation Conventional methods of generation - oil, gas, coal, nuclear. Historical, current and future practice. Environmental and financial aspects of traditional technologies.
D. Renewable energy Energy from Wind: Resource, historical use. Wind turbine technologies. UK examples. Off-shore developments. Environmental impact and public perception. Waves / Tidal
Energy: Resource. Prototypes. Proposed installations. Site selection issues. Case study - marine current turbine and wave device technologies. Hydropower: Resource, historical use. Review of projects: Three gorges dam in China, mini-hydro. Solar Energy Resource issues. Photovoltaics (PV) Photovoltaic technologies: grid connected and standalone systems. Practical demonstration of PV systems. Technology and Applications. Geothermal Energy: Historical and current technology. Examples including USA, Iceland and Southampton.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching activities:
lectures, guest lectures from industry, visit to PV systems at UoS
Learning activities:
4 day mini conference event with individual presentations and posters. Students have the opportunity to attend additional days of the conference event. Field trips to nearby fossil fuel and/or renewables facilities. Private study, module materials are available on Blackboard.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Demonstration | 2 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 8 |
| Wider reading or practice | 30 |
| Lecture | 24 |
| Seminar | 5 |
| Project supervision | 1 |
| Completion of assessment task | 80 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Lecture material. Lecture material will be supplemented with selected reading lists. Government reports.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Repeat year method - External repeat as per referral method.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External