48550 Renewable Energy Systems Studio B
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.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade, no marksRequisite(s): 48531 Electromechanical Automation
Description
This subject aims to introduce students to contemporary renewable energy technology, including sustainability and environmental issues, energy resources, electric power generation from renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, wave, tide, hydro and fuel cells. Understanding of energy storage and system integration is needed and, as an example, developments in electrical utilisation in electric and hybrid vehicles are also studied. Design techniques for renewable energy systems are discussed in detail. Students are able to practise their design skills of renewable energy systems through a group project specified as system specification, analysis of options and system design and implementation. By studying this subject, students gain knowledge and essential skills to design a renewable energy system.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Identify sustainability and environmental issues which impact the design of renewable energy systems. (B.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Apply contemporary renewable energy technologies to design generating and storage systems. (C.1) |
| 3. | Use appropriate tools to calculate, design and apply circuit, energy and project analysis techniques to practical problems and projects. (D.1) |
| 4. | Demonstrate communication and collaboration skills in the context of a design project. (E.1) |
| 5. | Reflect on challenges and achievements to identify future learning needs. (F.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)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their performance to improve themselves, their teams, and the broader community and society. (F.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.
- 1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.
- 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
- 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
- 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
- 3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership.
Teaching and learning strategies
This is a studio-based subject that aims to achieve specific learning goals via studio and laboratory sessions that eventually lead to an open-ended project development. Students acquire renewable energy systems knowledge, based on their background and pace of learning, through a series of online videos, and tutorials. Students will form teams to design and develop an application of renewable energy systems. Teams are aided and guided by tutors who are knowledgeable and experienced in the design, development and testing of renewable energy systems and provide dialogic feedback during labs and tutorials.
Students are expected to attend studio sessions to access opportunities to strengthen their knowledge in renewable energy systems. These tutorial-style sessions are designed as building blocks of learning where tutors provide weekly feedback on student progress, intended objectives of activities and support of achievements. Assessment tasks are be further informed by these regular interactions. Formal assessment of the project outcomes and deliverables occurs at mid-session and end of session.
Content (topics)
- Wind Energy
- Solar Energy – Photovoltaic Systems
- Solar Energy – Solar Thermal Systems
- Fuel Cells
- Hydroelectric Power Systems
- Tidal Power Systems
- Wave Energy Systems
- Bio-energy Systems
- Geothermal Systems
- Energy Storage
- System Integration
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Design and reflection journal
| Intent: | To develop a practical engineering work habit of journaling ideas, discussions and results to organise student’s thoughts and information in detail. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1, D.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Design/drawing/plan/sketch |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | At least 2 entries per week |
Assessment task 2: Design project
| Intent: | The aim is to develop a realistic but downsized prototype of a renewable energy or energy storage system application. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 4000 words |
Assessment task 3: Team prototype proposal
| Intent: | To devise a project development plan of renewable energy systems applicable to real-world scenario considering environmental, economic and technological aspects of the system. |
|---|---|
| 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, C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | 1000 words |
Assessment task 4: Team prototype delivery 1
| Intent: | To demonstrate students’ ability to make significant progress towards the delivery of the prototype. |
|---|---|
| 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, C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | A 15-minute presentation will be required, followed by question/answer sessions. |
Assessment task 5: Team prototype delivery 2
| Intent: | To demonstrate students’ ability to deliver the final project development plan and summarise what has been achieved during the studio design process. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1, D.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | 4,000 words |
Minimum requirements
To pass this subject, students must achieve an overall mark of 50% or greater.
Required texts
A PDF of the course notes is provided. Students are encouraged to make annotations on the printed version or on electronic version using common PDF reader programs such as Adobe Reader and Foxit Reader.
Recommended texts
Peter Gevorkian, “Sustainable energy systems engineering: the complete green building design resource”, McGraw-Hill, 2007.
Godfrey Boyle (edited), “Renewable Energy”, Oxford University Press in association with Open University, 2004.
Gilbert M. Masters, “Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems”, John Wiley and Sons, 2004.
References
Twidell, J. and Weir, T., 'Renewable Energy Resources', 2nd Ed., Taylor & Francis, 2006.
John Andrews and Nick Jelley, “Energy Science – Principles, Technologies, and Impacts”, Oxford University Press, 2007
J.F. Manwell, J.G. McGowan, and A.L. Rogers, “Wind Energy Explained – Theory, design and application”, John Wiley & Sons Ltd 2002
J. Larminie, and A. Dicks, “Fuel Cell Systems Explained”, John Wiley and Sons, 2000
P.J. Berlowitz, C.P. Darnell, “Fuel Choices for Fuel Cell Powered Vehicles”, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2000
A. Emadi, M. Ehsani, and J.M. Miller, “Vehicular Electric Power Systems”, Marcel Dekker, 2004
Gilbert M. Masters, "Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems", John Wiley and Sons, 2004
Other resources
Canvas provides a subject web site with notes in PDF format, links to on-line resources etc.
A full set of notes will be provided through Canvas.
Assessments details will be provided through Canvas.
Tutorial questions will be provided through Canvas.