Unit Description and General Aims

The objective in presenting this unit is to provide students with the knowledge to improve energy efficiency through an understanding of the principles associated with it, including assessing wastage, and analysing energy costs. Students will also be imparted with the necessary tools to help identify and implement programs and projects that will result in reduced energy consumption, and consequently improved efficiency.

The subject matter covered in this unit will include energy efficiency improvement measures and practices; concepts related to electrical generation and usage; technologies and economics of renewable energy systems; and, the design, installation, commissioning and integration of renewable energy technologies such as hydropower, photovoltaic (PV), wind powered systems, fuel cells and hydrogen technology. There are many technologies available today enable hydrogen to produce, store, move or use energy in different ways. A wide variety of fuels are able to produce hydrogen, including renewables, nuclear, natural gas, coal and oil. Hydrogen can enable renewables to provide an even greater contribution. Hydrogen is one of the leading options for storing energy from renewables.

Students will also undertake project work involving the presentation of case study examples in designing wind energy and PV renewable energy systems.

At the conclusion of this unit, students will have been imparted with the requisite knowledge to undertake energy systems work, including the development, operation, and management of renewable energy systems, particularly in the context of hydropower, photovoltaic, wind energy and fuel cell systems.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this Unit, students are expected to be able to:

1. Implement energy efficiency improvement measures. 
   Bloom's Level 3

2. Detail concepts related to electrical generation and usage. 
   Bloom's Level 4

3. Establish energy efficient practices. 
   Bloom's Level 4

4. Evaluate the technologies and economics of renewable energy systems. 
   Bloom's Level 5

5. Detail the design, installation, commissioning and integration aspects of hydro energy, PV, wind energy systems and fuel cells. 
   Bloom's Level 4

6. Develop, operate, and manage renewable energy systems. 
   Bloom's Level 6

Student assessment

Overall requirements: Students must achieve a result of 50% or above in the exam itself to pass the exam, and must pass the exam to be able to pass the unit. An overall final unit score of 50% or above must be achieved to pass the unit once all assessment, including the exam, has been completed.

Prescribed and Recommended Readings

Textbook

V. Quaschning, Understanding Renewable Energy Systems, 2nd Edition. Routledge, 2016. ISBN-13: 978-1315769431

Reference

Handbook of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Frank Kreith, D. Yogi Goswami 2007, 1st edn, CRC Press, ISBN-13: 978-0849317309

Renewable Energy Systems, Modelling, Optimization and Control, Ahmad Taher Azar (Editor), Nashwa Ahmad Kamal (Editor), 24th September 2021, ISBN: 9780128203989

Journal, website

Peer-reviewed journals and websites (advised during lectures)

Notes and Reference Texts

IDC Technologies 
Other material advised during the lectures

Unit Content

Topic 1

Introduction to Energy

1. Energy and the environment

2. Alternative energy source: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, tidal, small hydro, biofuels, hydrogen

3. Energy forms and conversion

4. Energy sources and sinks

5. Channelling waste energy into useful output

6. Energy audit and principles

Topic 2

Introduction to Energy Efficiency

1. Energy efficiency and conservation

2. Improving efficiencies and conversion efficiencies

3. Reduction and re-use of heat wastage

4.  Recovery of exhaust heat from engines

5. Conversion equipment and challenges

6. Energy efficient designs for equipment and buildings

7. Cogeneration for better efficiency

Topic 3

Electrical Generation, Usage and Energy Efficient Practices

1. Energy converted to electricity for direct use

2. Conversion systems for electrical energy

3. Commonly used fuel for electricity generation

4. Major users of electricity

5. Efficiencies in electricity usage

6. Fuels for motive power

7. Fuels for heating applications

8. Use of fuels as part of a process

Topic 4

Renewable Energy Systems

1. Renewable and sustainable energy

2. Basic financials and Economics of renewable energy

3. Forces driving the technologies

4. Solar water heating systems

5. Hybrid energy systems

Topic 5

Hydropower Technology

1. Introduction to hydropower

2. Hydraulic Engineering

3. Calculating the power generation potential of a water resource

4. Types of turbines and applications

5. Turbine selection criteria

6. Turbine efficiency and performance

7. Electrical generator and associated equipment for hydro-plants

8. Environmental problems posed by large hydropower plants

Topic 6

PV Energy Systems- 1

1. System components and configurations

2. PV cells

3. Modules and array 

4. Mechanical design

5. Maximising power output

6. Panel assembly and roof attachment methods

7. Mechanical design problems

Topic 7

PV Energy Systems- 2

1. Electrical system overview

2. Inverters

3. Electrical system design

4. Grid connection

5. Cell Design problems

6. Storage of energy

7. Load profiles

8. Future of solar cell materials

Topic 8

Wind Energy Systems – 1

1. Mechanics of wind

2. Local effects on wind flow

3. Turbine output calculation

4. System design and installation

5. Aerodynamics and power control

Topic 9

Wind Energy Systems - 2

1. Unsteady loads and fatigue of blade

2. Types of generators used

3. On-shore and off-shore wind energy system

4. Economics of wind energy system

Topic 10

Renewable Hydrogen Technology

1. Hydrogen properties

2. Sustainable hydrogen production processes 

3. What are grey, blue and green hydrogen

4. Hydrogen storage technology

5. Application of Hydrogen 

6. Hydrogen refuelling stations

7. Hydrogen in renewable integration

Topic 11

Fuel Cell Technology

1. Overview of fuel cell technology

2. Principles of electrochemical energy conversion

3. Thermodynamics of electrochemical energy conversion

4. Nernst equation

5. Fuel cell types

6. Comparison of efficiencies and performance of different fuel cells

7. Fuel cells applications

Topic 12

Renewable Energy System Development, Operation, and Management

1. Finance

2. Site design

3. Planning

4. Contracts

5. Management

6. Site commissioning

7. Monitoring and maintenance

8. Safety

Software/Hardware Used

Software

• Software: RETscreen - It is a clean energy management software used for feasibility analysis and performance monitoring of energy projects. It is crucial for mechanical engineers as it enhances decision-making, reduces costs, and optimizes energy efficiency. Applications include evaluating renewable energy projects, energy efficiency measures, and cogeneration systems.
• Version: N/A
• Instructions:  N/A
• Additional resources or files: N/A

Hardware

• N/A

Unit Changes Based on Student Feedback