| Unit name | Wind Energy Systems |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CADEM0028 |
| 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) |
No specific units are required, however the unit covers topics related to both aerospace and civil engineering, so knowledge of topics from at least one of these disciplines is recommended. |
| 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. The largest contributor to renewable energy production is wind. Ambitious government targets for installed wind 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 an advanced knowledge of wind energy systems.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit provides an M-level instruction on a specific topic key to sustainability in energy production; wind energy systems. The unit considers introductory and advanced topics in wind energy, covering wind turbines and wind farms, giving students a high level of technical understanding of wind energy systems.
An overview of content
The unit instructs students in the multi-disciplinary topic of wind energy systems. This involves introductory material to wind turbines and wind farms, as well as covering these at an advanced technical level. In addition to this, the unit also covers advanced modelling techniques, and balances developing a technical understanding of modelling methods commonly used in wind energy with a hands-on approach in computer labs. Students will demonstrate their understanding via a written exam that assesses the technical and lab-based materials.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit provides a pillar of sustainability, and how this relates to engineering. Students will learn about wind energy systems and will be expected to perform analysis of such systems for typical industrial design problems. This unit therefore takes a holistic approach to the development of next-generation engineers working in sustainability.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the unit the student should be able to:
1.Recognise and discuss different aspects of wind energy systems and engineering factors that affect the design of wind energy systems;
2.Apply engineering principles to explain how wind energy systems operate, and to explain the design of different disciplines of wind energy systems;
3.Describe how modelling tools are used to analyse and design wind energy systems and provide critical analysis of these tools.
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 interactive laboratory sessions with direct, immediate feedback.
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. CADEM0028).
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.
