Units
Energy Systems Fundamentals
Unit code: ENN550
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit immerses students in an integrated systems approach to the provision of energy services that are responsive to the global imperative for a transition to a low-carbon society in the 21st century. An Earth System Science (ESS) approach is utilised to develop an understanding the Earth’s systems and the interactions between these systems, energy systems and social, technological and economic systems. The unit incorporates identification, analysis and evaluation of existing, transitional and future energy systems, with a core focus on the optimisation of the integrated system and sub-systems through effective knowledge-driven decision making.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Offered in these courses
- EN50
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Energy is a core societal commodity embracing multiple disciplines, established and rapidly developing technologies, fast changing environmental, political and economic contexts and evolving end-user expectations. In this context, it is vital that energy professionals now and in the future have a firm grasp of the energy needs of society and the sources, conversion technologies and energy systems that can meet these needs within the technological, social, economic and environmental systems in which energy systems need to operate.
Aims
The aim of the unit is to provide students with a thorough grounding in systems thinking that can be applied to the design, planning, implementation and evaluation of a diversity of energy systems to meet the needs of end-users in different cultural, environmental and economic contexts. The course aims to equip students to actively participate in sustainable energy solutions in research, industry, advocacy, markets and politics.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit you demonstrate:
1. Identification and critical analysis of component parts of energy systems, the functioning of various energy systems as a whole and the interrelationships between energy systems and other environmental, social and economic systems.
2. Evaluation of a low carbon energy system solution for a given context, incorporating a range of substantive field-specific principles and methods.
3. Highly effective English communication skills, oral and written, through a range of media suitable for different stakeholders.
4. Self-management and independence in complex engineering tasks.
Content
The content of this unit covers the fundamentals of energy systems and the physical, environmental and social parameters in which they need to operate.
1. Earth systems science
2. Energy and society- interdisciplinary perspectives
3. Energy fundamentals
4. Energy conversion technologies
5. Energy assessment and modelling
6. Low carbon energy systems
7. Information, knowledge and communication systems
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit will be delivered in a flexible blended learning format, encompassing lectures (face-to-face and online, delivered by national and international experts), case studies, and student/public seminars and forums/debates.
Assessment
Assessment of the unit learning outcomes consists of three formative assessments that are each based on individual, independent work. Each assessment item allows you to progressively develop your knowledge and skills systems thinking and to communicate this knowledge in a range of contexts including peer review/discussion, critical thinking, writing and reflection.You will receive verbal feedback on their progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester. The Reflective Journal will be viewed weekly, with verbal comments provided where appropriate. Written feedback will be provided for the discussion forum and the case study critique.
Assessment name:
Peer Review/Discussion Forum
Description:
Public forum on energy, society and the environment
You will (a) participate as a panel member at a public forum on a contemporary energy issue, presenting your views and taking questions from the audience; (b) participate as a member of the audience, submitting one or more questions for the panel members to respond to; (c) reflect on the nature of involvement of the general audience; and (d) evaluate the performance of your peers as panel members.
Relates to objectives:
1,3,4
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 3 or 4
Assessment name:
Reflective Journal
Description:
Personal weekly journal on reflections of energy systems and interactions with earth systems and social, economic and cultural systems.
You will keep a personal weekly journal (in a format negotiated with each student, but not excluding traditional written forms or contemporary social media such as blogs and facebook) of your reflections on the lecture topic of each week and contemporary energy issues as nominated or selected on a weekly basis.
Assessment due weekly (for review, feedback) and end of semester.
Relates to objectives:
1,2,3,4
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Weekly
Assessment name:
Critique
Description:
Critical evaluation of a case study
You will submit a report critically evaluating the technological, social, environmental and economic impacts of a particular case study (lecturer nominated or student negotiated).
Relates to objectives:
1,2,3,4
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End of Semester
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Given the fast pace of change, resource materials will be predominantly online resources, including:
Roger Gifford, Will Steffen, John Finnigan (2010) To live within Earth's limits: An Australian plan to develop a science of the whole Earth system. Australian Academy of Science.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (2011)
United Nations Development Programme: Environment and Energy www.undp.org/energy
ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy www.energia.org
International Energy Agency (IEA) Renewable Energy Technologies: Solar Energy Perspectives (to be published late 2011)
International Energy Agency Energy Efficiency Program www.iea/efficiency/index.asp
International Energy Agency (2009) Gadgets and Gigawatts: Policies for Energy Efficient Electronics.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 23-Oct-2012
