This module will introduce you to working in a multidisciplinary technical project. This will be undertaken via the design of a renewable energy park wind/tidal stream renewable energy generating facility, integrating a number of specialist activities in an interdisciplinary group. The module will consolidate analytical and conceptual aspects of engineering design in combination with guest lectures. The module allows you to implement project and group management methods in a practical design situation and provide you with opportunities to develop skills relevant to a renewable energy career destination. 

LO1. Develop and critically assess a renewable energy design to a given specification by applying engineering principles whilst considering environmental and social aspects(AHEP4 M1, M2, M3, M6). .

LO2. Develop, foster and sustain an interdisciplinary group environment (AHEP4 M16),. 

LO3. Communicate relatively complex technical concepts and design decisions through written and oral forms to a range of audiences (AHEP4, M17).  

LO4. Demonstrate and critically understand how findings from the developed design relate to academic literature and industrial applications (AHEP4 M4, M5, M7, M13).  

LO5. Extend and apply budgeting management and organisational skills to deliver a design solution (AHEP4 M9). 

The Engineering Council sets the overall requirements for the AHEP (Accreditation for Higher Education Programmes). It is the standard used by the UK engineering profession to assess the competence and commitment of individual engineers and technicians and is in its 4th iteration. Link: ahep-fourth-edition 

The module will be delivered through a blend of face-to-face teaching and online learning material. A series of lectures and workshops, primarily from university staff and guest lecturers from the consulting engineering sector, will be given on specialised areas. Each group will be provided with the basic information required for a specific design task. Additional information must be obtained by the students, as required. A series of workshops will be included to discuss specific design issues and progress of the groups. Each group will make a presentation and develop a design portfolio for the park. 

Throughout the module, you will develop your academic skills in a number of areas: 

Professional & Practical Skills (AHEP4):  

• AHEP4 M1 - Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Much of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of engineering 

• AHEP4 M2 - Formulate and analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions. This will involve evaluating available data using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles, and using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed 

• AHEP4 M3 - Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex problems, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed 

• AHEP4 M4 - Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems 

• AHEP4 M5 - Design solutions for complex problems that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards 

• AHEP4 M6 - Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems 

• AHEP4 M7 - Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems (to include the entire life-cycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts 

• AHEP4 M9 - Use a risk management process to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks (the effects of uncertainty) associated with a particular project or activity 

• AHEP4 M13 - Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations 

• AHEP4 M16 - Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team. Evaluate effectiveness of own and team performance  

• AHEP4 M17 - Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used 

Transferable/Employability Skills (Graduate Attributes): 

• Collaborative  

  • C1 - Contribute positively and effectively when working in a group, having an impact from the outset.  
  • C3 - Be respectful of the roles of others and acknowledge the limits of their own skills/experience. 

• Effective Communications 

  • EC1 - Listen to and take account of the views of others 
  • EC2 - Communicate complex design and solution ideas effectively to diverse audiences.  

• Ethically, Social and Environmentally Awareness  

  • ESA2 - Demonstrate personal and professional integrity, reliability and competence within in a group environment. 
  • ESA5 - Be mindful of the Climate Emergency and the UN’s sustainable development goals 

• Independent and critical thinkers  

  • ICT1 - Identify, define and analyse complex design issues and ideas, exercising critical judgement in your approaches whilst critically evaluating sources of information. 
  • ICT3 - Investigate problems and effective design solutions, reflecting on and learning success and failures. 

• Innovative, Enterprising and Commercial Aware 

  • IECA1 - Generate original ideas and apply creative, imaginative and innovative thinking in response to a given design problem.  

• Reflective and Resilient  

  • RR2 - Demonstrate resilience, adaptability and creativity with challenges, and be open to change based on other opinions.  
  • RR3 - Identify and articulate skills, knowledge and understanding confidently through oral and written communication. 

The first week of a task being a lecture and task and the second workshop session (Q&A). Student groups will then submit to a completed design proforma (word limited), that includes details of who led the design and who contributed to which area. On submission each group will be asked to provide feedback to two other groups on their submissions. In addition, the lead staff member of the task will provide further formative feedback. 

Students will then use the proformas to complete one (of two) elements of a design portfolio worth 45%. The calculations and computer outputs students have used to develop the proformas will be included as appendices. An important aspect, however for the module will be 25% for a critical review of the completed design project. This leads to 70% total for a portfolio submission. The critical commentary will have elements including main environmental barriers to design, main technology barriers, key connection and distribution challenges and can the energy requirements be achieved. 

On submission of the portfolio groups will complete a presentation (30 minutes) on the work they completed and the critical commentary. This will be followed by 15 minutes of questions (viva). This element will be worth 30%. 

Therefore, this module is assessed using the following components, which are weighted as follows: 

• Final stages of the spring Semester a written Design Portfolio, 70% (LO 1-5) 

• Final stages of the spring Semester a Presentation and Viva, 25% (LO 1-5) 

• An individual reflective summative statement to evaluate personal development gained from the module and reflect on effectiveness of own and team performance (5%) (LO 2). This is a qualifying element of the module. 

Both components are group-based summative assessments to reflect the relatively complex nature of the tasks, as these typically require an effective team-based approach, while also being aligned with Engineering Council accreditation requirements. All marks are subject to peer review. The peer review outcomes are scrutinised by project supervisors to ensure they are reflective of the team dynamics observed throughout the academic year.  

The opportunity for reassessment 

The opportunity for reassessment in this module will be set at component level. The remit of the reassessment will be set by the project supervisor in consultation with the module leader while also mapped against the module learning outcomes.  

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit 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. 

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

• Environmental issues  

• Energy Resource Assessment 

• Structural design  

• Mechanical Design 

• Electrical Aspects  

• Structural Health Monitoring 

• Energy and Environmental impact 

• Costing