University of Technology Sydney

48561 Renewable Energy Systems Studio A

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 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Electrical and Data Engineering
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): (48531 Electromechanical Automation AND 41278 Power Electronics ) OR (48531 Electromechanical Automation AND 48530 Circuit Analysis and Design)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Recommended studies:

knowledge and skills of design, numerical and circuitry simulation, and construction; testing of electronic circuits

Description

Power electronics is an enabling technology which manages and converts electric power from one form and level to another. Applications of power electronics are vast such as motor drives, renewable electrical energy systems, battery chargers, energy storage systems, data and communication centres, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and HVDC. The objectives of this studio are to enable students to apply the nature of power semiconductor devices and their control and use in switch-mode power supply; evaluate the arrangement and topology of the circuits in which switch-mode devices are used; analyse the use of power electronic circuits in high-power applications such as motor drives and power systems; be aware of the electromagnetic interference problems associated with power electronic systems; use commercial software for the rigorous circuit analysis of real power electronic systems; analyse and design circuits to meet certain specifications and standards; and develop basic power electronic circuits and apply them for motor drive applications.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

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

1. Analyse the impact of power electronic and drive systems on utility supply and environment. (B.1)
2. Develop power electronic circuits according to customised specifications and industry standards. (C.1)
3. Analyse, design, implement and test power electronic devices, circuits and systems by using appropriate mathematical model, simulation and design tools and datasheets. (D.1)
4. Demonstrate design approach to problem solving using communication and collaboration between various people. (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.
  • 1.6. 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.
  • 2.4. 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 basic power electronic knowledge, based on their background and pace of learning, through a series of online videos, online quizzes, and tutorials. Students will form teams to design and develop an application of power electronics and drives of their own choice. Teams are aided and guided by tutors who are knowledgeable and experienced in the design, development and testing of power electronic systems and provide dialogic feedback during labs and tutorials.

Students are expected to attend studio sessions to access opportunities to strengthen their knowledge in power electronics and drives through inquiry. 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)

  • Power electronics applications
  • Power semiconductors and passive devices
  • Analysis and design of basic DC/DC power converters such as buck, boost, buck-boost and full-bridge converters
  • Operation analysis of isolated topologies such as flyback and forward converters
  • Single-phase and three-phase DC/AC inverters
  • Voltage and current harmonics of rectifiers and inverters
  • DC and AC drives

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Design and reflection journal

Intent:

To develop a practical engineering work habit of journaling ideas, discussions and results to organise students' 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: Journal
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Length:

2-3 hours per week

Assessment task 2: Team prototype proposal

Intent:

To design and plan the development of a selected application of power electronics and drive systems.

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, C.1, D.1 and E.1

Type: Project
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 20%
Length:

1000-2000 words (minimum 15 pages but no more than 20 pages including main body text, figures, tables and references)

Assessment task 3: 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: 15%
Length:

A 10-15 minute demonstration will be required, followed by question/answer sessions

Assessment task 4: Team prototype delivery 2

Intent:

To demonstrate students’ ability to deliver the final prototype 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, 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: 35%
Length:

4000-7000 words (minimum 25 pages but no more than 50 pages including main body text, figures, tables and references)

Minimum requirements

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

References

Mohan et al, Power Electronics 3E: Converters, Applications Andsign Media Enhanced: Converters, Applications, and Design, 3rd Edition, John Wiley Publications

Daniel W. Hart, Introduction to power electronics, Prentice Hall

Other resources

http://www.how2power.com/index.php

https://www.powerelectronics.com/