KB6057 - Sustainable Energy Systems

What will I learn on this module?

This module allows you to develop and evaluate approaches to the application of fundamental engineering principles associated with fluids and energy in the context of real-world systems that include an environmental perspective. The module will investigate global concerns relating to the availability of energy sources, their sustainability and use, and how technologies relating to these aspects may be utilised and integrated into solutions that may be more acceptable and efficient in terms of societal impact and use of resources. Conventional energy systems and emerging technologies will be used to form the basis of discussion and exploration within the module supported by practical applied investigations associated with the performance of these systems.

How will I learn on this module?

Active learning sessions will allow you to engage with and appraise advanced material and assist you in exploring and critiquing key concepts and topics within the module. Sessions will involve a combination of content delivery and practical learning exercises to enable you to apply your learning to complex and authentic engineering problems. A problem-solving focused curriculum will allow you to explore and analyse solutions to complex challenges where wide-ranging and conflicting constraints require innovative discovery and enterprise. Learning activities will enable students to work collaboratively and practice and reflect upon the effectiveness of teamwork and communication skills, and the facilitation of creative thinking approaches to solve open-ended engineering problems.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

During your active learning sessions, academic support will be available to facilitate your exploration of the problem-solving activities. Formative feedback will be provided by the module team, including answering student queries and providing guidance concerning the module such as assessments and your academic progress. The electronic learning platform (eLP) provides a comprehensive resource for integrated learning incorporating learning materials and reading lists that will facilitate directed and self-directed learning. Contact with academic tutors and your peers outside formal teaching hours is encouraged through dedicated ‘office hours’, discussion boards and messaging systems within the eLP. Professional support staff, such as Ask4Help, provide the first point of contact for a range of queries, including, for example, those concerning assessment submission, late submission/extensions, and other administrative issues.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1 – Appraise knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Some of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the field of energy systems.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO2 - Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed.

MLO3 - Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems relating to sustainable energy systems.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO4 - Apply creativity and curiosity to analyse complex sustainable energy-based problems to reach substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles.

MLO5 - Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems and minimise adverse impacts.

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment
Academic staff on the module will assess you in a formative manner to help build your confidence and highlight any misunderstandings you may have of the theoretical and professional concepts presented in the module. Your formative feedback will be given to you either verbally by academic staff on the module during formally scheduled teaching sessions or using the eLP. Your formative feedback aims to help you learn and prepare for the submission of your summative assessment.

Summative Assessment
Academic staff on the module will assess you in a summative manner by two pieces of assessment:
Component 1 to assess your knowledge and understanding, practical and theoretical, of computational and analytical techniques, to model and recognise their limitations in complex sustainable energy systems problems (MLOs 1-3) through completing an industry compatible written submission.
Component 2, will evaluate your ability to apply creativity and curiosity to solve complex problems in sustainable energy systems reaching substantiated conclusions which recognise their environmental and societal impacts (MLOs 4 & 5) in an industry compatible written submission.

Feedback will be provided electronically through the eLP or student email within 20 working days of the date of submission.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module allows you to evaluate the themes of energy systems within the context of global expectations relating to sustainable development and the impact of energy resource use. Using applied engineering principles, you will judge the ways in which energy conversion systems can operate and the impact they have upon society around the globe. Issues associated with an increasing global demand for energy and the ways in which this may be addressed that meet with professional expectations of engineers in developing solutions will be discussed and investigated in the module. In the module, you will be encouraged to investigate and gain confidence in research and critical thinking through the application of appropriate knowledge and methodologies to tackle complex problems. Active learning sessions will allow you to engage with and appraise new material and assist you in exploring and critiquing key concepts and topics within the module. Sessions will involve a combination of content delivery and practical learning exercises to enable you to apply your learning to authentic engineering problems. The module utilises the electronic learning platform (eLP) to provide a comprehensive resource for integrated learning incorporating learning materials and reading lists that will facilitate directed and self-directed learning.

Course info

UCAS Code H314

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years Full Time or 5 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Mechanical and Construction Engineering

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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