Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Renewable energy sources including solar and wind energies are becoming more important than ever before due to increasing energy demand, dwindling oil and gas supplies, increasing pollution levels in the atmosphere and the associated global warming effects. Renewable energy may also help improve competitiveness and have a positive impact on regional development and employment. Renewable sources of energy are in line with an overall strategy of sustainable development. This unit is a specialised unit in the second major in Power and Energy Systems and extends on the conventional production of electrical energy in other units.

Aims

This unit aims to develop understanding of the energy options available now and the constraints into the future. It provides an overview of different types of renewable sources of energy with in depth coverage on of the characteristics of solar radiation, calculation and measurements and the photovoltaic effect in semiconductor materials and their applications to remote area power supply systems and utility interconnected systems as well as a study on the role of wind energy.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Evaluate the different sources of energy including both renewable and non-renewable energy sources for use in a given situation
2. Select and size a renewable energy system for a given application including costing.
3. Present your findings in a technical report/workbook and in person.

Content

· Overview of existing and future energy
· Operation of conventional power plants (thermal and hydro)
· Theory and operation, solar radiation calculation and measurement.
· Photovoltaic systems
· Solar thermal system
· Wind energy - technologies and operation
· Other renewable energy sources and storage
· Renewable energy integration and its impacts on power system

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching mode: Hours per week 4
Lecture/Tutorial: 3 hours per week
Laboratory & Visits: 1 hour per week (One experiment requires 3 hour lab and site visits)

Learning Approaches:
Lectures will provide the knowledge base required for this unit and will be supported by tutorials, enabling you to apply the theory described in lectures. You will be required to engage in research on an application involving a renewable energy source to make connections to 'real world' learning objectives. This may also include a site visit to an installation. You may work in pairs to complete a research assignment. Brief time may be given towards the end of the semester for you to present your findings in a one to one interview.

Assessment

General Assessment Information
Assessment will be based on three items:
The assessment tasks require you to engage in research on an application involving renewable energy source
You are also required to keep a log of the work done through the semester and present yourself for an interview..
The final examination of two hours duration will be aimed at examining your understanding of the various renewable energy sources, their merits and applications.Formative oral feedback will be given during tutorial. Written feedback will be given for both log/workbook and technical report. All three assessment tasks will form part of the summative assessment for this unit with the weights for each assessment task as shown below. Criterion Referenced Assessment will be used for summative assessment as requirement of QUT policy.

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Short answer and multiple choice questions on the topics covered in the lectures related to renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Assessment name: Research and Report
Description: Research, problem solving and presentation
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 9 - 12

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Test of knowledge, understanding and problem solving
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 8

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

Type: Lecture Notes and presentations
Authors:
Available: QUT Blackboard

Resource Materials
1. Lecture notes and lecture slides available in QUT Blackboard
2. API lecture module available in QUT Blackboard
3. G. M. Masters, Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems, Wiley, 2004.
4. Ali Keyhani, Design of Smart Power Grid Renewable Energy Systems, Wiley, 2011.

Risk assessment statement

You will be expected to comply with all health and safety regulations and conditions pertaining to an engineering site visit as directed by lecturer's or designated workplace personnel/instructions.

You are expected to undertake laboratory work which is the only area that can constitute a risk. In order to minimise this risk you are expected to undertake Health And Safety training and obtain a "green card". Details of this will be provided at the commencement of the semester by the unit co-ordinator.

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: 27-Jun-2012