This module provides you with insights into the world of energy production and utilisation using conventional and renewable resources. The module will allow you to critically evaluate the scientific principles involved in a wide range of practical energy systems, enabling simple system evaluation and analysis to be undertaken. The subject is a fundamental component for students interested in energy, providing them with concepts and techniques for practical applications. The module develops awareness of the underlaying emissions, pollution, policies and economics of energy production systems, equipping you with the necessary skills to conceptualise, develop and potentially design novel energy production solutions. 

LO1. Explain the scientific laws underlying the operation of a wide range of important energy systems.

LO2. Demonstrate a clear understanding on how these laws are used to solve problems involving practical systems.

LO3. Define and discuss the underlying barriers (ie. emissions, pollution, policies, economics, etc.) arising from energy systems to identify risks and mitigation strategies.

The module will be delivered through a blend of face-to-face teaching (such as lectures, guided study, tutorials, and formative feedback sessions), and online learning material (such as recorded lectures, quizzes, numerical examples and sample tutorial problems).

You are expected to attempt all the tutorial sheets issued throughout the module in preparation for the example classes and to broaden you understanding of engineering problems. Successful completion of all the tutorial examples will assists you towards meeting the desired learning outcomes. You are also expected to have a fruitful interaction with lecturers to expand the discussions on barriers and challenges related to energy systems.

Students are also expected to perform wide ranging reading to critically assess the relationships between energy systems, emissions/pollutants, policies and economy, using not only available resources but also open literature. 

In addition to developing your critical thinking skills, the module will support you in developing skills in:

Innovative, Enterprising and Commercially Awareness:

• Appreciate and learn the mechanisms associated with combustion and renewable energy systems.
• Practice scientific principles to a range of practical energy systems.
• Articulate an understanding of the principles and mechanisms that are used to analyse and evaluate energy systems.
• Emphasize analytical and problem-solving skills applied to complex systems involving scientific disciplines.

Effective Communication:

• Learn the associated terminology of simple energy systems based on conventional and renewable resources

Ethically, Socially and Environmentally Awareness:

• Critically assess the relationships between given energy systems, emissions/pollutants, policies and economy
• Identify risks (H&S, Energy Security, International position, etc.) arising from conventional and renewable energy systems

The module is assessed through a 2-hour formal examination during the Autumn Semester Examination period (LO 1-3).

The examination paper contains one compulsory question, which is subdivided between combustion/pollution and renewable energy/energy policy. This question is awarded one third of the total marks and ensures that you can demonstrate attainment of all Learning Outcomes. There are four other questions, two each on combustion/pollution and renewable energy/energy policy and you have to attempt two more questions from this four. Each of these other questions also counts for one third of the total marks.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credits than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. The re-assessment for this module will consist in a 2-hour written examination.

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session.

COMBUSTION SYSTEMS

• Current Energy Sources
• Combustion Processes
• Basic principles of combustion, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, properties and air requirements.
• Flames-formulae for flame length and differences between premixed and diffusion flames.
• Combustion aerodynamics of the more commonly encountered types of industrial burner.
• The effect of high levels of turbulence and recirculation zones upon the performance of combustion systems.
• Differences between solid, liquid and gas fired systems.
• Calculation procedures to determine the final concentration of products produced by combustion reactions.
• Dissociation effects with an overview to equilibrium constant and calculation of the adiabatic flame temperature.
• Use of alternative fuels in combustions systems, including hydrogen, ammonia and biofuels
• Impacts of using various fuels in terms of policies, availability, economics and practical challenges (ie. maintenance, technology maturity, etc.)
• Pollution product of main combustion species (ie. NOx, CO2, SOx, etc.)
• Ozone depletion, the Greenhouse Effect, photochemical smogs, acid rain.
• Pollution produced by stationary and reciprocating combustors. Measures to reduce emissions of pollution.
• Meteorological effects, photochemical smogs and pollutant dispersal from chimneys.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

• Renewable Energy Sources
• Energy conservation/ efficiency
• Tidal Power
• Mechanism and structure of tides. Maximum energy recovery from tidal cycle.
• Practical tidal energy schemes. Environmental effects.
• Hydro Power
• History and existing systems. Potential hydropower distribution.
• Hydro turbines
• Wind Power
• Actuator disc theory and the Betz equation. Blade element theory.
• Rotor types; vertical and horizontal axis machines. Fixed and variable speed operation. Power and drag coefficients; rated power and load factor.
• Site selection and environmental effects.
• Wave Power
• Wave structure and characteristics. Maximum energy recoverable from waves.
• Wave distribution. Wave power devices and characteristics. Practical problems.
• Bio-energy
• Solar Energy
• Characteristics of solar radiation. Atmospheric effects. Distribution of solar energy.
• Thermal collectors and characteristics. Solar thermal systems and performance. Photo voltaic mechanism.
• Cell types and characteristics. Photovoltaic systems, grid connected and stand alone.
• Energy Policy and Economics
• Economic analysis of energy saving schemes