Module Catalogue 2024/25

EPE8204 : Renewable Energy Technologies

EPE8204 : Renewable Energy Technologies

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Jianfang Xiao
  • Owning School: NUIS
  • Teaching Location: Singapore
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 15
ECTS Credits: 8.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamentals of available sources of renewable energy and give details of its conversion into electricity. Students will gain an overview of the engineering challenges of renewable energy production and a wider understanding of renewable energy in a societal context. The leading technologies in the field will be examined in detail, with a focus on electrical machine requirements.

Outline Of Syllabus

•       Energy picture: Put energy generation into context General trend in energy consumption and present production.
•       Resource understanding: Relative abundance of resource national maximum resource of major renewable sources.
•       Hydro power: Understanding of engineering behind the resource – large verses low head, run of river – turbine options, resource calculations, environmental constraints.
•       Solar thermal and PV: Understanding of engineering behind the resource Understanding of basic physical processes, overview of economic viability.
•       Wind engineering: Detailed understanding of engineering behind the resource – basic fluid dynamics – Betz limit. Components of typical state of the art wind turbine. Fixed speed verses variable speed, gearbox v direct drive.
•       Wave and Tidal power: Understanding of engineering behind the resource –challenges and state of the art.
•       Social + economic context: Appreciation of importance of environmental legislation and other topics outside of the engineering discipline such as details of planning, consenting and financing
•       Energy Storage Systems: Batteries, Ultra Capacities, Flywheels, Thermal Storage System.
•       Cogeneration and Trigeneration
•       Energy Management with Renewable Energy and Energy Storages
•       Renewable Energy for Singapore: Resources and Standards such as Green Marks

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

•       Know clear view of the practicalities of harnessing renewable energy resources; of their rather diffuse nature; and of the possible environmental cost of utilising renewable energy, such as degrading visual amenity, alteration of water flows in rivers and estuaries, or other damage.
•       Make estimates of the energy available from specific renewable energy resources at a given site.
•       Appreciate the challenges to electrical machine design and power conversion unique to renewable energy applications.
•       Describe the engineering challenges associated solar PV, wind, wave, tidal, biomass and hydro power and ways of overcoming the challenges.
•       Describe characteristics desirable in electrical machines suitable for wind, wave, tidal and hydro power.
•       Evaluate the guiding principles of solar PV and distributed generation in the Singapore contexts.
•       Be able to discuss present and future developments in electrical infrastructure

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:

•       Demonstrate behaviours of all renewable energy sources, their characteristics, and ways of developing them into the current power systems.
•       Demonstrate impacts of renewable energy sources on the existing power systems when renewable energy penetrates much.
•       Demonstrate a critical understanding of the relevant theoretical concepts and practical implementation of all renewable energy sources.
•       Collate, critically analyse and evaluate data associated with the energy, and present the energy picture clearly for an area, country and the word.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion300:5025:00Revision for exam.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion120:0020:00Complete coursework including 10 minute presentation to the lecturer.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion12:002:00Examination
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture301:0030:00Lectures
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion120:0020:00Directed reading which includes IEEE papers and web refs.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery61:006:00Drop-In/Surgery
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study147:0047:00Personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes.
Total150:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
NUS8204Renewable Energy Technologies
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures and module material provide core material and guidance for further reading. The module material also provides problem solving practice and improves planning skills and gives the students the opportunity to manage their own learning. Five hours of directed research is to give students practice assessing specific complex issues which will be discussed in the tutorials.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1202A7024 hrs Take home exam (to be submitted within 24 hours of being set)
Exam Pairings
Module Code Module Title Semester Comment
Renewable Energy Technologies2N/A
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Report2M30A mini project using MATLAB/Simulink for simulation of PV generation and integration. Submission of simulation model and report
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination is an appropriate way to assess both theoretical knowledge and understanding and problem solving skills under time-constraint as required in industry. The coursework involves problem solving exercises to enable a more realistic engineering problem to be set and using the acquired knowledge from lectures and independent self-study to find possible solutions. The coursework also develops research skills and the ability to utilise relevant information from different sources.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

This is where you will be able to find all key information about modules on your programme of study. It will help you make an informed decision on the options available to you within your programme.

You may have some queries about the modules available to you. Your school office will be able to signpost you to someone who will support you with any queries.

Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.