| Unit name | Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MENGM0064 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Charles |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Students are expected to have knowledge of thermodynamic energy transfer and mathematics similar to MENG20009 Thermofluids and EMAT20200 Engineering Mathematics 2. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
Sustainable solutions to the climate crisis are urgently needed and how the world generates energy is a crucial factor. As renewable energy systems become increasingly important, so does the need for engineers who understand their complexities – from designing the machines that supply the energy, to understanding storage, and national policy. This unit will cover a range of renewable energy technologies and how these can be implemented in a sustainable way. Key to the challenge is understanding the benefits and pitfalls of renewables, and ensuring the energy produced is reliable. Key to the challenge is understanding the benefits and pitfalls of renewables, and ensuring the energy produced is reliable
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit forms the base unit for the Energy for Sustainability Pathway of the Engineering with Management MSc and will form an option for the fourth year of the MEng programmes for Mechanical Engineering.
An overview of content
Students will learn about the systems by which renewable energy is generated. This will integrate materials engineering, energy conversion, and thermodynamics.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will benefit from their development into those who can provide solutions to the climate crisis. Energy generation is fundamental to this and a successful transition from incumbent to more sustainable technologies is one of the primary challenges of the age. This unit will enable you to engage with these challenges and be able to design solutions whose implications (good and bad) are understood.
You will learn through a combination of asynchronous materials and activities. Asynchronous content and exercises will include reading and critically evaluating published material, such as academic papers and industrial and Government reports. In-person classes will build on the asynchronous content and exercises through exploring relevant engineering problems and their ramifications. You are now on the cusp of becoming practicing engineers and this method of teaching will allow you to develop the skills to analyse open-ended engineering problems and generate sustainable solutions.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Exercises will be available to enable you to develop the technical and critical thinking skills applicable to understanding and implementing renewable energy systems. These exercises will be discussed in class to help prepare you for the summative task.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
100% group coursework that will assess all ILOs.
There will be one summative coursework assessment where students will be asked to provide an engineering solution to an open-ended problem. Students will be encouraged to use different forms of communication using the skills and knowledge developed during the unit. The assessment will be marked using the University’s 21-point marking scale.
When assessment does not go to plan
Reassessments and supplementary assessment will be available as required by the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
An individual project can be set where it is not possible to run a group project.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MENGM0064).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
