ems2sre sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY DESIGN

EMS2SRE

2017

Credit points: 15

This subject addresses La Trobe's Sustainability Thinking Essential. Sustainability Thinking entails deep appreciation of how the choices we make affects the natural, economic, social, political and cultural systems — now and in the future.

Subject outline

This subject will introduce students to the issues of climate change and sustainability before moving on to renewable energy design as part of a solution to address these issues. Students will undertake multidisciplinary design of a renewable energy project (eg. wind/solar farm or similar renewable energy generation facility), integrating a number of specialist activities in Mechanical, Civil and Electrical Engineering. Issues covered include: energy requirements, environmental impact, health, safety, project cost modeling along with structural, mechanical and electrical aspects of the proposed system. In this subject we specifically focus on the sustainability of the energy industry. We investigate factors that affect the social, environmental and the economic elements of sustainable energy production, distribution and consumption. We also explore technologies in this space to move toward a more sustainable future. Students will work to achieve the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies: 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1 and 3.2 (see intended learning outcomes for details).

SchoolSchool Engineering&Mathematical Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorBernard Xu

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites ELE1IEL

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects ELE2PWR, ELE3PWR

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsSustainable Energy - without the hot airPrescribedDavid MacKayUIT Cambridge Ltd.
ReadingsGreen IllusionsRecommendedOzzie ZehnerNebraska Press.

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Describe the electrical, structural and mechanical aspects of power generation techniques and distribution networks.

Activities:
For every non-renewable and renewable technology considered in the lectures, we discuss the electrical, structural and mechanical aspects of power generation and distribution. The knowledge is then applied in workshops, quizzes and the exam.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

02. Identify and explain the economic, social and environmental issues that are faced when moving towards a sustainable future and the way these issues interrelate.

Activities:
The problems faced when moving to a sustainable future are discussed at length in lectures and workshops, and material is assessed in quizzes, the project and the exam
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

03. Design sustainable renewable energy solutions for real world problems which address geographical, environmental and financial constraints.

Activities:
Case studies are examined in lectures and workshops which look at energy yield, environmental and economic impact across a wide range of renewable energy technologies. The knowledge is then applied in workshops, quizzes, project and the exam
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

04. Describe various renewable and non-renewable energy technologies and identify their socioeconomic and environmental impact, and reflect on their potential to contribute to a sustainable future.

Activities:
Lectures present a wide range or electrical power generation technologies and discuss their socioeconomic and environmental impact. The knowledge is then applied in tutorials, workshops, quizzes and assignments.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

05. Perform a feasibility study into replacing an existing non-renewable power station with a renewable energy alternative.

Activities:
In lectures and workshops students will study the economic, logistic and social challenges facing renewable technologies. This knowledge will be assessed in a project where students are asked to perform a feasibility study into the possibility of replacing an existing power station with a renewable energy alternative.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Bendigo, 2017, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorBernard Xu

Class requirements

WorkShopWeek: 32 - 43
One 3.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 32 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

TutorialWeek: 32 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 32 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Group Project (20-30 pages)3001, 02, 03, 04, 05
2 hour written Exam5001, 02, 03, 04, 05
4 Online Multiple Choice Quizzes2001, 02, 03, 04, 05

Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorBernard Xu

Class requirements

WorkShopWeek: 32 - 43
One 3.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 32 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

TutorialWeek: 32 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 32 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Group Project (20-30 pages)3001, 02, 03, 04, 05
2 hour written Exam5001, 02, 03, 04, 05
4 Online Multiple Choice Quizzes2001, 02, 03, 04, 05