69368 Clean Energy Technology
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Providing a sustainable, affordable and secure energy future through the discovery and implementation of new technology and innovation is a key challenge for the 21st century. With more people requiring energy, effective solutions need to come from a wide range of sources. In the near term various energy innovations are needed and will be the key to global energy solutions. This subject delivers an advanced technical understanding of energy challenges related to the clean energy supply systems commonly used in our society and solutions for addressing them from a scientific perspective. However, students are taught that the natural sciences/technical approach to and solution of problems is only a part of the story, and collaboration with other scientific disciplines is vital. Operation principles of clean energy generation systems and their potential for applications across a range of industries are covered in this subject. Clean energy policies and market trends are introduced as means of sustainable development.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Assess current challenges of the global energy landscape and the importance of clean energy technologies. |
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| 2. | Demonstrate an understanding of basic operating principles of clean energy technologies. |
| 3. | Evaluate the potential for clean energy applications across a range of industries. |
| 4. | Explore the current policies and market trends in the clean energy sector. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Critically appraise, synthesise and apply advanced skills and knowledge to contribute to professional practice and scholarship relevant to sustainable energy technology and leadership. (1.1)
- Analyse data and information to design, conduct and disseminate appropriate independent research to solve complex sustainable energy and leadership problems. (2.1)
- Critically reflect on self and others' practices related to sustainable energy professional contexts, seek and act on feedback and take leading roles and responsibility for professional practice and learning. (4.1)
- Present and justify complex ideas around sustainable energy independently or in collaborative contexts using various communication approaches from a variety of methods (oral, written, digital and visual) to discipline experts, policy makers, consumers, scientists, industry, and the community. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The Faculty of Science has six graduate attributes that you will develop during your course at UTS. This subject is intended to develop four of these attributes:
Graduate Attribute 1 - Disciplinary knowledge
Students will cultivate a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal roles played by clean energy technologies in contemporary society. The exploration will focus on clean energy technologies designed to address the urgent challenge of climate change, demonstrating their effectiveness in mitigating global greenhouse gas emissions. These specialised concepts within the discipline are nurtured through dedicated learning materials and further enriched by engaging in independent online learning activities. Upon successful completion of this subject, students will possess a nuanced comprehension of the functions and operational principles inherent in clean energy sources, with a particular emphasis on hydrogen and solar technologies. They will also demonstrate the ability to scrutinise information and design perspectives, formulate hypotheses, and critically evaluate diverse hypotheses using a flexible methodological approach to clean energy investigations. Students are expected to acquire insight into the expectations placed on experts in the field of clean energy and discern best practices. Assessment of their knowledge will be conducted through tasks spanning Assessments 1, 2, and 3.
Graduate Attribute 2 – Research, inquiry and critical thinking
Students will establish a solid foundation in contemporary theoretical insights into various clean energy technologies, especially hydrogen and solar technologies. They will grasp the fundamental principles of physics and thermodynamics that govern energy production and system efficiency. Additionally, they will explore current opportunities for enhancing energy generation and infrastructure across diverse sectors. Mastery of research techniques, as well as the ability to critically evaluate different forms of evidence, including scientific literature, will be acquired. This acquired knowledge will be practically applied to case studies and examples, employing an inquiry-based approach within a professional framework. Through guided case studies, students will engage in an inquiry-driven exploration of realistic energy scenarios, drawing insights from their own reflections and extracting pertinent information. Each scenario, posing a challenge, will prompt students to employ collaborative problem-solving skills to investigate, interpret, and propose solutions. Encouragement will be given for critical thinking throughout the learning process, with a demonstration of these skills expected in the final assessments.
Graduate Attribute 4 – Reflection, innovation and creativity
This pertains to the capacity for critical self-reflection on both personal and others' practices, actively seeking and incorporating feedback, and taking ownership of one's professional conduct and learning journey. Within this course, students are anticipated to proficiently evaluate clean energy systems, acquiring the skills to ethically and accurately analyse information and effectively manage the requisites of clean energy technologies. Throughout the program, students will elevate their expertise and critical thinking abilities in the realm of clean energy, fostering innovative solutions to intricate technology challenges. The subject offers students the opportunity to engage with the modeling software, guiding them through the intricacies of clean energy technologies. Evaluation of these skills will occur through their introduction and assessment during Zoom sessions and the third assessment task.
Graduate Attribute 5 – Communication skills
Students will enhance their communication skills by actively engaging with peers and teaching staff in the online learning environment. Through these interactions and involvement with online learning materials, students will also expand their scientific vocabulary. Constructive feedback on their writing skills will be provided through assessments, including online short-answer questions and individual reports, aiming to refine their communication abilities within professional scientific contexts. Additionally, students will partake in oral/video presentations, further refining their capacity to articulate energy and sustainability knowledge effectively to diverse audiences.
Teaching and learning strategies
"Clean Energy Technology" is a fully online educational program tailored for students to learn at their own pace. Students should be expected to dedicate 15-20 hours per week to complete the learning activities and work on assessment items. The course delves into the operating mechanisms and significance of clean energy technologies in facilitating clean energy transitions, offering a variety of engaging interactive content and media. Experts lead the learning process, while students engage in collaborative activities with peers through discussion boards and social polls, fostering essential skills and knowledge in a supportive online environment.
During the course, students will explore clean energy technologies like hydrogen and photovoltaic, while delving into the fundamental principles of operating mechanisms that govern energy production and system efficiency. They will develop critical thinking skills to address sustainability challenges and devise innovative solutions. The students will also work with modeling software to design and improve projects regarding clean energy technologies. Throughout the course, authentic case studies will be presented, and students will have opportunities to share their thoughts and experiences in discussions and live sessions.
Assessments in this course are thoughtfully designed to complement student learning, providing them with a chance to apply and monitor their skill development and grasp of essential concepts. Formative feedback will be consistently provided to guide students throughout the session.
Content (topics)
- Clean energy definitions and terminologies.
- Operating mechanisms of clean energy technologies, and their policies and regulations.
- Basic principles and knowledge of hydrogen production, as well as catalyst design.
- Basic principles and knowledge of photovoltaic and emerging technologies
- Renewable energy policy and regulatory frameworks
- Energy infrastructure and its significance
- Renewable targets and investment opportunities
- Emerging trends and innovations in clean energy technologies
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Assessment task 1: Conceptual Quiz
| Intent: | The following graduate attributes are assessed in this task: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 4. Reflection, innovation and creativity 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | N/A |
| Criteria: | The online quiz will evaluate students based on two aspects. Firstly, they will be tested on their accuracy in answering multiple-choice questions. Secondly, they will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate comprehension and critical thinking skills through their short answer responses. |
Assessment task 2: Assessment task 2: Project Proposal
| Intent: | The following graduate attributes are assessed in this task: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 4. Reflection, innovation and creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 10 minute presentation. |
| Criteria: | The detailed assessment criteria are also available in Canvas, which will be used for marking the video presentation and provides details on how this assessment achieves the graduate attributes. This means that you must access the criteria required before you begin the assessment. |
Assessment task 3: Assessment task 3: Project Report
| Intent: | The following graduate attributes are assessed in this task: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 4. Reflection, innovation and creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 45% |
| Length: | 2000 words |
| Criteria: | The detailed assessment criteria are also available in Canvas, which will be used for marking the reports and provide details on how this assessment achieves the graduate attributes. This means that you must access the criteria required before you begin the assessment. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this subject the sum total of all assessment components must be greater than or equal to 50%.