KD7068 - Renewable Energy Technologies for Electricity Supply

The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, laboratory experiments, and problem-based learning in the seminars, the latter providing a platform to discuss within the class a range of issues relating to the implementation of renewable energy (design and operation), both technical and non-technical. Laboratory sessions will provide hands-on experience to complement the theoretical concepts covered in the teaching material. You will be provided with lecture notes, laboratory experiments guidelines and tutorials, technical reports and articles via the e-learning portal. You will be inspired to explore renewable energy systems individually and by conducting an assigned group project to extend your knowledge and understanding in a wider context of the design and applications of various renewable energy technologies.
The module is assessed by a group-based project work (50%), including a written group report (30%) and a pre-recorded group presentation (20%), and individual coursework in the form of an assignment (50%), for which you will provide a written report (30%) and make a short presentation (20%) to the class. The students are required to justify their contribution to the group project work. Feedback on your assignment will be provided to you individually for both the report and the presentation, with particular emphasis on giving constructive advice to further enhance your skills. Formative feedback will be provided in the seminars to help you develop your understanding of the module content. Examples of research projects and real case studies will also be presented in class and uploaded (published journal papers and simulations) on Blackboard.

In addition to attending the lectures and seminars, you can make direct contact with the module team, usually via email in the first instance, when further support and clarifications are required. This allows the arrangement of ad-hoc individual or group discussions to address specific problems or concerns. You will also be regularly referred to supporting resources including texts and multimedia relevant to the module. References to these resources will be made available through the e-learning portal and in lectures and seminars. These will include coursework, lecture notes, seminar exercises, laboratory guidelines and tutorials, and references to other supporting resources for additional reading such as high-impact factor journal and conference papers (including simulation studies using appropriate software for example MATLAB and GAMS) or any other research-informed publications and multimedia (e.g. YouTube Channel or open courses in other universities).
Individual advice and feedback will be provided on your assignment.
During the laboratory sessions, you will be supported by an academic member and technical support.
The knowledge acquired in this module will significantly enhance your employability and further career prospects in the field of energy and electrical power systems.

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.

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Able to explain the operating characteristics of a range of new and renewable energy generation technologies, supported by insights gained from laboratory experiments.
2. Able to interpret resource information in terms of system operation.
3. Able to evaluate and compare the relative merits of the use of these technologies in a variety of electrical supply scenarios, including technical, economic, and environmental considerations.
(AHEP4 : M1)

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:

4. Able to apply analytical methods for estimating the environmental impact of renewable and other energy systems.
(AHEP4: M1, M2, M4)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Able to develop and present an individual argument covering the technical and non-technical aspects of the implementation of renewable energy technologies.
(AHEP4: M16)

N/A

N/A

As an electrical engineer, you are likely to be dealing with renewable energy systems as part of your career, since they are making an important and growing contribution to the world’s energy supply, especially in terms of energy security and climate change. Distributed energy systems (including distributed generation and energy storage) are expected to play a pivotal role in the future smart energy systems (particularly in multi-vector energy systems). In this module, you will learn about the technical principles and operational impacts of the major renewable energy technologies used to produce electricity, through a combination of lectures and group seminars. The module links to the ongoing research within the University and wider academic and industrial communities, to ensure that you can consider the current status and further development of renewable energy technologies and understand the techniques by which they are measured and assessed. The module provides you an opportunity to gain underpinning knowledge you can build upon throughout your future career in electrical engineering. The module builds on the fundamentals of smart energy focusing on active energy demands in distribution networks, the potential for their operational flexibility, and applications of renewable energy technologies.