Units
Solar Thermal Systems - Heat and Power
Unit code: ENN552
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
The sun’s heat can be harnessed for a wide range of applications to meet various energy service needs. An understanding of solar geometry and the characteristics of various technologies will enable energy professionals to make informed decisions enabling the optimisation of this renewable energy source that is globally available.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Offered in these courses
- EN50
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
The sun's heat can be harnessed for a wide range of applications to meet various energy service needs. An understanding of solar geometry and the characteristics of various technologies will enable energy professionals to make informed decisions enabling the optimisation of this renewable energy source that is globally available.
Aims
This unit introduces students to the fundamental concepts of solar thermal energy and a wide range of technologies that manipulate, concentrate or convert that heat into useful energy services.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit you will demonstrate:
1. Effective problem-solving skills in relation to identification, analysis, formulation and evaluation of appropriate solar thermal systems for a given context.
2. Proficient oral and written English in a variety of communication media incorporating both technical and non-technical vocabulary, concepts and information.
3. Application of ethical considerations in the evaluation of solar thermal field applications.
Content
The content of this unit covers solar geometry and the characteristics, applications and performance assessment of solar thermal systems.
1. Solar Radiation
2. Available Solar Radiation
3. Heat transfer
4. Radiation Characteristics of Opaque Materials
5. Radiation transmittance through glazing
6. Flat-Plate collectors and evacuated tubes
7. Concentrating Collectors
8. Energy storage for solar thermal systems
9. System Thermal Calculations
10. Applications
11. Simulation in solar process
12. Design of Systems
14. System performance
15. Sustainability Assessment
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 assessments that are based on real world applications.You will receive verbal feedback on their progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester. Written feedback will be provided for the formal assessment items.
Assessment name:
Case Study
Description:
Case study - evaluation of solar thermal applications in two communities.
You will compare and evaluate the solar thermal applications and their social, environmental and economic implications within two case study communities (developed country and developing country). The case study evaluation is to be presented in a manner and form suitable for the general public.
Relates to objectives:
1,2,3
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 4
Assessment name:
Report
Description:
Solar thermal potential for industrial processes .
Applying appropriate research skills and methodologies, you will present a report outlining, for a particular country or region, industrial heat processes and the appropriate solar thermal technology that could be applied to those processes.
Relates to objectives:
1,2
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 8
Assessment name:
Project (applied)
Description:
Pre-feasibility assessment of solar thermal systems for three fiven contexts.
Using appropriate renewable energy assessment software and other sources, conduct a pre-feasibility assessment of a solar thermal system for three different contexts (student negotiated).
Relates to objectives:
1,2,3
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
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
Due to the rapid pace of change in this area, resources for this unit will predominantly be online, including:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Renewable Energies (to be published late 2011)
International Energy Agency (IEA) Renewable Energy Technologies: Solar Energy Perspectives. To be published late 2011
International Energy Agency (IEA) Technology Roadmaps. CSP Technology Roadmap, May 2010
www.solarcooking.org
The following text and associated software will be used in this course: Clean Energy Project Analysis: RETScreen Engineering & Cases Textbook. This text is available for free download from www.retscreen.net
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: 30-Apr-2012
