CEM160-Renewable Energy Systems

Module Provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: CEM102 Business of Construction CEM103 Project Management: Principles and Practice CEM104 Construction Cost Management: Principles and Practice CEM107 Sustainable Design and Management Principles and Practice CEM150 International Development in Construction CEM16A Renewable Energy Systems A CEM16B Renewable Energy Systems B
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Maria Vahdati
Email: m.m.vahdati@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is concerned with renewable energy technologies. These include biomass, solar, wind, hydro and marine energy. Technical, environmental and social issues are considered. Technical and non-technical barriers and issues limiting widespread use of renewable energy are discussed.

Assessment through laboratory work, use of energy software and group activities give students an opportunity to examine and analyse data as well as to investigate issues concerned with the use of renewable energy.

Aims:

To provide the student with a knowledge of the technical, environmental and social issues associated with a range of renewable energy technologies.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to demonstrate ability in the following areas:

• Be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a range of the renewable energy technologies covered, supporting their arguments with quantitative analysis.


• Be able to assess the technical, environmental and social issues associated with a range of renewable energy technologies.


• Be able to conduct resource feasibility studies for the renewable energy technologies covered.


• Be able to undertake the outline specification and design of commonly used concepts for the exploitation of several types of renewable resources.

Additional outcomes:

On completion of this module students will have had the opportunity to:

• apply their knowledge to the use of software packages and to some practical work.

Outline content:

The underlying science and technical principles necessary for the assessment and analysis of the

following renewable energy technologies:

• Wind energy (including relevant elements of fluid mechanics)


• Hydro power (including relevant elements of fluid mechanics)


• Biomass (including relevant elements of heat transfer and thermodynamics)


• Solar, encompassing PV and thermal

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be delivered in four intensive teaching blocks, covering the science and technology appropriate for each of the main subject areas outlined above. Each block will be structured to employ a combinations of teaching and learning methods. There will be lectures, laboratory work, software classes, site visits and group learning activities. Site visits may take place outside of the block weeks.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Deadlines for the assignments are at various points during the Autumn term.

• Wind energy assignment (data analysis and report)


• Hydro power assignment (lab work, problem solving, data analysis and report)


• Solar energy assignment (lab work, problem solving, data analysis and report)


• Biomass presentation, review and poster

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to?all full time and flexible modular?students on taught PGT programmes in SBE. 

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late: 

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days; 


• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded. 

 The University policy statement on penalties for late submission?which applies to all full time and flexible modular PGT students in SBE?can be found at:?https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf 

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work. 

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re- submission of failed elements. Students are required to contact the School to confirm reassessment arrangements.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 27 July 2023