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MEC4104 Renewable Energy Technology

Semester 2, 2023 Toowoomba On-campus
Units : 1
School or Department : School of Engineering
Grading basis : Graded
Course fee schedule : /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules

Staffing

Course Coordinator:

Requisites

Pre-requisite: ((MEC2101 and MEC3102) or MEC2106) or Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCEN or GCNS or GDNS or METC or MENS or MEPR

Overview

Over the next decade or so, environmental concerns plus the depletion of the world's fossil fuel reserves accentuated by the industrialisation of developing countries, are going to force a reshaping of our use of energy.

This course prepares the student to play an informed and constructive part in that reshaping by studying the various forms of renewable energy and the engineering challenges involved in implementing them.

Students will investigate the wide range of renewable energy resources available to society and how engineers can implement them. Transitioning from fossil fuels to biofuels is an important component because many processes require the output of combustion to function efficiently; the inherent challenges involved are studied. Solar power is so abundant that it could easily satisfy the world's energy needs if storage and transmission challenges are overcome; how solar energy can be used for photo-voltaic or thermal applications is examined. The design considerations for harnessing wind and hydro energy are explored. The key issue of storing renewable energy when there is an over-abundance so that it can be supplied when there is insufficient is studied along with how the energy can be distributed to society. Some of the other forms of renewable energy which an engineer can utilise will also be studied.

Course learning outcomes

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. On completion of this course, students should be able to:

  1. analyse renewable energy systems using appropriate tools from the fields of thermofluids, heat transfer, and dynamics;
  2. critically compare and contrast various renewable energy systems utilised for each renewable energy resource; and
  3. evaluate the potential of renewable energy technologies as a replacement for fossil fuel combustion energy technologies.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. Introduction and social implications 5.00
2. Solar energy 25.00
3. Reacting flows 5.00
4. Biofuels 15.00
5. Wind energy 15.00
6. Hydro energy 15.00
7. Ocean thermal energy & geothermal 10.00
8. Energy storage and distribution 10.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

Twidell, J & Weir, T 2021, Renewable Energy Resources, 4th edn, Routledge, New York.

Student workload expectations

To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.

Assessment details

Approach Type Description Group
Assessment
Weighting (%) Course learning outcomes
Assignments Written Problem Solving 1 No 35 1,2,3
Assignments Written Problem Solving 2 No 35 1,2,3
Assignments Written Report No 30 1,2,3
Date printed 9 February 2024