Description
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to renewable energy resources and technologies, including current storage and generation technologies, and explore their advantages and limitations.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to determine the optimum combination of renewable energy technologies and evaluate their efficiencies, describe how to conduct a cost benefit analysis to determine the most viable option between renewable and conventional energy sources, and consider the relevant political, socio-economic and legal factors that influence the selection of appropriate energy technologies.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Explore potential renewable energy resources, including current storage and
generation technologies.
Alternative energy sources, their respective merits and drawbacks:
Wind energy, ocean and tidal energy, biomass, geothermal energy, hydropower, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy
Waste as energy
storage technologies
2. Determine the optimum combination and efficiencies of renewable energy
technologies for a particular location.
Energy demand and security of supply:
Energy consumption changes, intensity and trends (domestic, industrial, transport, services sectors)
Factors affecting changes in energy consumption and demand
Future demand planning based on trends and needs analysis
Risk analysis for energy supplies for UK and local areas
Energy capacity margins analysis related to changes in demand
Alternatives for locally used energy sources
Energy reduction and efficiency approaches:
Energy systems available for a given location
Energy legislation and standards
Energy saving and reduction schemes, energy saving technologies available
Energy efficiency approaches for domestic energy use
Grants and government schemes, and the effects of such schemes on supply and demand
3. Conduct a cost–benefit analysis to determine the most viable option between
renewable and conventional energy sources.
Financial and environmental implications:
Cost–benefit analysis
Socio-economic factors
Financial implications of renewable and conventional energy
4. Explain socio-economic, legislative and environmental factors involved in the
consideration and selection of other approaches to renewable energy resources
and technologies.
Financial and environmental implications:
Cost–benefit analysis
Socio-economic factors
Financial implications of renewable and conventional energy