Module Details
| Module Code: |
PHYS8010 |
| Title: |
Sustainable & Renewable Energy
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Long Title:
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Sustainable & Renewable Energy
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| NFQ Level: |
Advanced |
| Valid From: |
Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 ) |
| Field of Study: |
4411 - Physics
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| Module Description: |
The present energy resources and demands of the world will be analysed and renewable energy scenarios that are technologically feasible and economically viable for the future will be investigated. Students will be able to evaluate the practical possibilities and limitations of renewable energies and compare them with conventional carbon based energy systems. The module will give the students a thorough understanding of the basic concepts of energy, mechanical work, heat and the science underpinning renewable energy systems (RES).
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| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| # |
Learning Outcome Description |
| LO1 |
mathematically model renewable energy systems |
| LO2 |
critically analyse renewable energy systems |
| LO3 |
compare and contrast sustainable and renewable energy systems |
| LO4 |
specify and interpret specifications associated with the installation of renewable energy systems |
| 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).
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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.
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| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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| 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.
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| No requirements listed |
| Indicative Content |
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Introduction
Global resources. Energy statistics: resources and demands of energy in the world; future renewable energy scenarios. Hydorcarbon stocks. New discovery versus usage. Carbon footprint and taxes. Energy usage monitoring and recovery. Electricity generation: cost per unit: nuclear, oil, hydro, biomass etc. Nett benefit analysis: production cost versus energy benefit. Insulation. Efficient use of electricity - CFL bulbs, LEDs etc.
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Wind Power
Turbine design: single phase versus three phase. Connecting to the national grid. Wind maps. Noise considerations, efficiency and load consideration. Battery storage.
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Ocean Power
Physics of waves. Wave maps. Generation capacity. Material specification and turbine design. Operating environment. Safety and maintenance.
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Solar Power
Physics of solar energy. Solar water heating, principles and technologies of photovoltaic cells (PV) and solar-thermal generation of electricity. Thermal panels versus evacuated tube. Science of PV technologies (silicon, thin film, organic, III-V, CPV, etc)
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Geothermal
Principle of operation and design considerations. Heat pumps and heat transfer, horizontal versus vertical geometry. Performance specifications.
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Bio-fuels
Varieties of bio-fuels. Calorific values of grasses, wood chip. etc.
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RES modeling
Overview of approaches to RES modeling, modeling principles, sample data sets (e.g. JRC solar irradiance), example modeling tools: PVGIS, RETScreen, etc
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Module Content & Assessment
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
|---|
| Coursework | 100.00% |
Assessments
| No End of Module Formal Examination |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
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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 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
2 |
| Lab |
Contact |
Workshops and exercises on energy related calculations (CO2 footprint, LCOE, etc) and energy systems modelling (e.g. using PVGIS, RETScreen). |
Every Week |
2.00 |
2 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Non Contact |
Preparation of report and presentation, independent learning. |
Every Week |
3.00 |
3 |
| Total Hours |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
4.00 |
| This module has no Part Time workload. |
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Module Resources
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| Recommended Book Resources |
|---|
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Cambridge University Press. (2017), Renewable energy resources, 1st. Cambridge University Press, NY, [ISBN: 1107680220].
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Paul Gipe. (2004), Wind Power, Revised Edition: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business, Rev Exp. Chelsea Green Publishing Company, [ISBN: 978-1931498142].
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William H. Kemp. The Renewable Energy Handbook: A Guide to Rural Energy Independence, Off-Grid and Sustainable Living, 2006. Aztext Press, [ISBN: 978-0973323320].
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
|---|
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Zekai Sen. (2008), Solar Energy Fundamentals and Modeling Techniques: Atmosphere, Environment, Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Springer, [ISBN: 978-1848001336].
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Travis Bradford. (2006), Solar Revolution: The Economic Transformation of the Global Energy Industry, First. The MIT Press, [ISBN: 978-0262026048].
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Michael E. McCormick. (2007), Ocean Wave Energy Conversion, Dover Publications, [ISBN: 978-0486462455].
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Caye Drapcho, John Nghiem, Terry Walker. (2008), Biofuels Engineering Process Technology, McGraw-Hill Professional, [ISBN: 978-0071487498].
| | Recommended Article/Paper Resources |
|---|
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Department of Communications Energy and
Natural Resources (IE). (2015), Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon
Energy Future, White Paper,
| | Other Resources |
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Website, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland,
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Website, Natural Resources Canada. RETScreen Clean Energy Management
Software,
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Website, JRC. Photovoltaic Geographical Information
System (PVGIS),
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