Module Details

Module Code: ELEC7008
Title: Energy Systems Management
Long Title: Energy and Environmental Management
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2021/22 ( September 2021 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5824 - Environmental Engineering
Module Delivered in: 4 programme(s)
Module Description: This module addresses the management of energy from the perspectives of project, process and product. It considers the cost implications and significance of resource consumption and impacts on the environment, and the management methodologies to be applied to reduce and avoid these impacts.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Recommend the steps to implement a formal environmental (EMS) or energy management system (EnMS).
LO2 Identify the significant life cycle environmental impacts and recommend improvements for an energy related product.
LO3 Devise an auditing strategy and identify improvement opportunities in an energy consuming (and producing) system.
LO4 Prepare a scoping study for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
LO5 Describe the significance of key policies affecting the sector.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
15196 ELEC7008 Energy Systems Management
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
None
 
Indicative Content
Energy & environmental management systems (EMS and EnMS)
Drivers for and benefits of environmental & energy management systems. Elements of environmental & energy management systems. Distinction between formal and certified systems. Overview of ISO50001 and ISO14001. Planning: policy, goals, objectives and targets. Registers of aspects, legislation and significant energy users. Performance indicators (KPIs) and improvement programmes. Checking and management review. Significance of communication, monitoring & targeting. Performance profiles as a benchmark. Critical factors for success.
Auditing
Types of audit: compliance assessment, opportunity assessment. Methodology for compliance assessment. Example of assessing the adequacy of an environmental policy. Methodology for opportunity assessment in a manufacturing or service application. Ecomapping and input-output analysis. Data gathering and assessment. Pareto analysis. Root cause analysis. Economic factors. Sources of improvement suggestions. Classification of improvements. Integration of improvement programmes with formal management systems.
Products: design for environment
Stages in a product life cycle and associated impacts. Design for the environment (DFE). Drivers for and barriers to environmentally-friendly products. Merits of qualitative life cycle assessment. MET (material, energy, toxicity) approach to evaluating product impacts. Examination of common products. Assessment of energy related products, e.g. wind turbine, electric motor, computer screen, photocopier, solar thermal system. Product improvements, introduction to eco-design. Environmental declarations of electrical products e.g. motor. Ecolabels.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
Objectives and principles of EIA. Current philosophy and developments in practice with particular reference to energy-related projects. Stages in EIA, in particular: scoping. Public communication. Examination of a simple case study.
Energy related policy measures
Resource consumption and emission impacts of energy use. Need for efficiency. Introduction to environmental policy affecting the sector: e.g. EIA, IPPC, WEEE, RoHS, EuP, Integrated Product Policy, Renewable Energy Directive. EU Green Deal.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,3,5
Assessment Description
To produce an energy reduction strategy and auditing procedure for a specific organisation
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4
Assessment Description
Identification of improvement measures for a specified activity e.g. compressed air system, HVAC, or energy-related product e.g. wind turbine, solar PV system. To be submitted as a presentation with extensive supporting notes.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 3,4,5
Assessment Description
To produce a written synthesis and evaluation of National EMS and EnMS Policy in relation to current EU and International Trends, focusing on an appropriate policy strand.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lectures, discussion, presentations Every Week 4.00 4
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent Study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lectures, discussion, presentations Every Week 4.00 4
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent Study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • SEAI. (2019), https://www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Energy-Audit-Handbook.pdf.
  • TemaNord. (2009), http://norden.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:701315/FULLTEXT01.pdf, [ISBN: 978-92-893-18].
  • DoHPLG Irish Wind Energy Development Guidelines. (2019), 109102_ae9107b8-6a27-4f26-9a12-6b00632ceaf0%20.pdf.
  • EPA. (2012), https://www.epa.ie/publications/research/biodiversity/IBIA_ExecutiveSummary_23April2012.pdf.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • NSAI. (2011), IS EN ISO 50001:2011 Energy management systems - requirements with guidance for use, NSAI.
  • SEAI. (2009), I.S. EN 16001:2009 Energy management Systems - Technical Guideline, SEAI, Dublin.
  • SEAI. (2009), 09 Energy management Systems - Implementation Guide, SEAI, Dublin.
  • SEAI. (2009), 09 Energy management Systems - Internal Audit Guide, SEAI, Dublin.
  • Dept. of the Environment, Community and Local Government. (2013), Guidelines for Planning Authorities and An Bord Pleanála on carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment, Dept. of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Dublin.
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_EBENS_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Building Energy Systems 5 Elective
CR_ESENT_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Sustainable Energy Engineering 5 Mandatory
CR_SGMPR_7 Bachelor of Science in Good Manufacturing Practice and Technology 1 Elective
CR_ESUSE_7 Certificate in Sustainable Energy 2 Mandatory