| Unit name | Renewable Energy Management |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CADEM0020 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Poole |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
Climate change, driven by anthropogenic increases in greenhouse gas concentrations, is one of the most important factors in governmental policy making globally. This is set against the backdrop of global population increase (which is set to reach 11 billion by the end of the century, according to the UN) and the continual increase in global living standards, causing an exponential increase in the desire for energy. As such, a substantial drive in the development of low-emission energy production methods is ongoing.
In the UK, achieving ‘Net-Zero’ requires a substantial increase in renewable energy production. As of 2024, about half of the total energy produced in the UK is from renewables. Ambitious government targets for renewable energy capacity mean next-generation engineers are required to help achieve such targets. Instruction on renewable energy systems is therefore a key aspect of Engineering degrees, and this unit provides students with a broad knowledge of renewable energy systems, and the technical, social, commercial and political issues that surround them.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit provides an M-level instruction on renewable energy. The unit supplements introductory material on various renewable energy sources, with how to balance the competing interests that will determine the future of renewable energy. Specifically, the unit includes expert industrial input to provide context to more academic aspects of renewables.
An overview of content
This unit will provide an overview of renewable energy systems. This may include wind, solar and marine energy production sources. Students will develop an understanding of the technical aspects of these systems. This will be balanced against students developing an appreciation for the social, commercial and political issues that surround renewables.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit provides instruction on a key pillar of sustainability, and how this relates to engineering. Students will learn about renewable energy production. Uniquely, this unit will provide students a brief introduction to technical aspects of renewables balanced against being able to appreciate and discuss social, commercial and political issues of renewables.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the unit the student should be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which may include lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Preparation for summative assessment is from a combination of practice questions and ad-hoc discussions.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
100% invigilated examination assessing all ILOs.
When assessment does not go to plan
Reassessment will occur during the reassessment period to assess failed ILOs, if appropriate to the student’s programme of study.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CADEM0020).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
