University of Technology Sydney

43124 Renewable Energy Technology

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 96 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Degree owned by FEIT OR 96 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Honours Embedded Degree owned by FEIT OR 96 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Combined Degree owned by FEIT OR 96 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Combined Honours Degree owned by FEIT OR 96 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Combined Degree co-owned by FEIT OR 96 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Combined Honours Degree co-owned by FEIT OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10399 Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Sustainability and Environment
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 41009 Renewable Energy Technology

Description

The world is heavily dependent on the finite fossil fuels which will soon be depleted or too expensive to adopt. Therefore, finding and exploiting alternative energy resources is a crucial prerequisite for sustainable development. This subject aims to provide a holistic approach to explore the domain of renewable energy technology through three stages. Firstly, it delivers fundamental concepts for improving understanding of the technological basis of renewable fuels such as their sources, energy flows, principles, policy, opportunities and challenges for utilisation. Students are then introduced to modern technologies as well as system operating issues for solar, hydroelectric, tidal, geothermal, wind and biofuel energy sources. All theoretical and operational principles are subsequently examined through actual case-studies. The case studies are targeted to carefully explore the design of a specific renewable energy project in a real context

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts, terminologies and key issues underpinning renewable energy technology. (D.1)
2. Evaluate and analyse technical advances of renewable energy technology based on understanding of the operational processes. (D.1)
3. Perform calculations on energy generation and consumption, design a renewable energy project and acquire proper technology in a given context. (D.1)
4. Undertake assessment and evaluation of renewable energy systems based on technical, environmental, economic and social criteria. (B.1)
5. Demonstrate competence in the recognition and application of alternative energy technology needed in environmental engineering practice. (D.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

  • Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
  • Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:

  • 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
  • 1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
  • 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
  • 1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.
  • 3.4. Professional use and management of information.

Teaching and learning strategies

  • Face-to-face teaching activities, including workshops, tutorials, class discussion and activities;
  • Students will acquire Australian industry insights through both invited workshop and a field visit;
  • Online materials, seminar presentations will be facilitated using Canvas;
  • Students are required to submit assignments/reports by the due dates and participate fully in team activities and seminar presentations. They are also encouraged to undertake further research and reading individually.

Content (topics)

The subject provides insights and knowledge for renewable energy, necessary for environmental engineering. It is designed to meet the objectives of the subject as well as the overall course aims. The main topics that will be covered in this subject relate to:

  • Basic concepts of renewable energy
  • Energy flows from renewable energy sources
  • Origins and characteristics of non-fossil fuel sources: solar energy systems, biochemical sources (anaerobic digestion, landfill gas, gas cleaning and gas engines), wind energy (basically on-shore and off-shore), geothermal energy, ground-source heat pumps, tidal energy and hydroelectric systems
  • Renewable energy planning, policies, opportunities and challenges
  • Concepts of processes and system design
  • Fundamentals of the operating principles of the renewable energy systems (solar, hydroelectric, tidal, geothermal, wind and biofuel energy)
  • Technological advances of current renewable energy technologies (solar, hydroelectric, tidal, geothermal, wind and biofuel energy)
  • Social, environmental, economic and technical aspects relevant to renewable energy applications

Investigation and assessment of current renewable energy technologies through case studies and industry experience.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Review Report

Intent:

To develop students’ cognitive ability, to improve research and writing skills, and enhance student knowledge and enthusiasm about renewable energy technology.
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1 and D.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Length:

Maximum 8 pages for undergraduate student and 10 pages for postgraduate student

Assessment task 2: Research Report and Presentation

Intent:

To gain insight into green technology with respect to technical, environmental, economic and social-cultural criteria by examining all theoretical and operational principles through actual case-studies, to work as a team and to improve literature-review-based research and presentation skills.
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1 and D.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 30%
Length:

Group written report (maximum 20 pages for undergraduate student group and 24 pages for postgraduate student group regarding each assessment)

Assessment task 3: Online Quiz

Intent:

To assess students' knowledge of renewable energy technologies (the need, fundamental science and engineering concepts) and energy policy.
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2, 3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1 and D.1

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Length:

90 minutes

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more

Required texts

Course materials including “Tutorial: Learn yourself module” prepared by the subject coordinator.

Recommended texts

Books

  1. Kaltschmitt, M., Streicher, W., Wiese, A. (2007), Renewable energy technology, economics, and environment, Berlin; New York: Springer, 564 pages (UTS e-lib)
  2. Kishore, V. V. N. (2009), Renewable energy engineering and technology: principles and practice, London: Earthscan, 890 pages (UTS Library - 621.042 KISH)
  3. Poullikkas, A. (2013), Renewable energy : economics, emerging technologies, and global practices, New York: Nova Science Publishers, 294 pages (UTS Library - 333.794 RENE)
  4. Zobaa, A. F. and Bansal, R. C. (2011), Handbook of renewable energy technology, Singapore: World Scientific, 851 pages. (UTS Library - 333.794 ZOBA)

Journals

  1. International journal of renewable energy technology (UTS e-lib)
  2. Renewable energy (UTS e-lib)
  3. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments (UTS e-lib)

Websites

  1. Australian Renewable Energy Agency: http://arena.gov.au/about-renewable-energy/
  2. Energy Technology Research in Australia: http://www.csiro.au/Organisation-Structure/Divisions/Energy-Technology.aspx
  3. News in Renewable Energy Technology: http://www.renewable-energy-technology.net/

References

Origins and characteristics of non-fossil fuel sources

  1. Twidell, J. and Weir, T. (2002), Renewable Energy Resources, London: Taylor & Francis (UTS Library - 333.792 TWID (2002.ED))

Renewable energy technology – fundamentals, operating principles and practices

  1. Kishore, V. V. N. (2009), Renewable energy engineering and technology: principles and practice, London: Earthscan, 890 pages (UTS Library - 621.042 KISH)
  2. Poullikkas, A. (2013), Renewable energy : economics, emerging technologies, and global practices, New York: Nova Science Publishers, 294 pages (UTS Library - 333.794 RENE)
  3. Zobaa, A. F. and Bansal, R. C. (2011), Handbook of renewable energy technology, Singapore: World Scientific, 851 pages. (UTS Library - 333.794 ZOBA)

Renewable energy planning, policies, opportunities and challenges

  1. Abi-Ghanem, D., Boucher, P., Gough, C., Mander, S., Mclachlan, C., Thomas, R., Upham, P. (2013), Low-carbon energy controversies, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 276 pages (UTS Library - 333.79 ROBR)
  2. Fornasiero, P. and Graziani, M. (2012) Renewable resources and renewable energy: a global challenge, Boca Raton: CRC Press, 490 pages (UTS Library - 621.042 GRAZ (ED.2))
  3. Jordan-Korte, K. (2011), Government promotion of renewable energy technologies a comparison of promotion instruments and national and international renewable energy market development in Germany, the United States and Japan, Wiesbaden: Gabler, 265 pages (UTS e-lib)
  4. Wilkins, G. (2002), Technology transfer for renewable energy: overcoming barriers in developing countries, London: The Royal Institute of International Affairs and Earthscan, 237 pages (UTS Library - 338.926 WILK)