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BSEN40700

Academic Year 2024/2025

Energy System & Sustainable Environments (BSEN40700)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Professor Kevin McDonnell
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Part 1 Worldwide importance of energy systems, historical and current energy perspectives, concepts and applications of energy systems. Estimation and evaluation of energy resources.
Part 2 Sustainable energy systems; approaches to energy systems analyses and sustainability metrics. Biological Carbon Capture Storage, including the following processes: soil carbon, CO2 to energy, Forests & forest ecology, Digestate from Anaerobic Digestion (AD) process, Biochar, Biomass to oil.
Part 3 Comprehensive overview of the principal types of renewable energy-including solar, thermal photovoltaics, bioenergy, hydro, tidal, wind, and wave. In addition the underlying physical and technological principles of renewable energy systems and the future prospects of different energy sources. Energy efficiency analyses including energy balance, cost-benefit analysis and cost-efficiency analysis of various energy scenarios and renewable energy choices.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
(1) Demonstrate knowledge of the historic evolution of energy systems including fossil fuel energy systems;
(2) Evaluate the worldwide importance of energy systems, energy use and associated world trends, and factors which influence them.
(3) Critique the knowledge and rationale underpinning sustainable energy systems
(4) Investigate the potential renewable energy systems including the role of biological carbon capture storage to contribute to a sustainable energy future.
(5) Analyse the fundamentals of renewable energy technologies and systems.
(6) Apply knowledge, understanding and problem solving abilities to construct energy efficiency analyses in broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts.

Indicative Module Content:

Definition of sustainable energy systems globally
Role of energy in society
Energy consumption and availability
Energy sustainability metrics
Carbon management and capture
Review of energy technologies - fossil and renewable

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Conversation Class

10
Specified Learning Activities

144
Autonomous Student Learning

48
Total

226

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module consists of the following approaches:
1. face to face lecture;
2. active/task-based learning;
3. problem based learning;
4. case based learning.
5. critical writing
6. AI is not used for teaching nor are students to use AI for assignments

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment 2:
Case study: Energy efficiency analyses
Week 9 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

15

 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment 3:
Sustainable energy systems to include short presentation.
 Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% Yes

20

 Yes
Exam (In-person): End of term exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

50

 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment 1: Interdependence of factors effecting energy use. Students will submit a short circa 5 minute multi-media presentation on the topic along with a short written descriptor. Week 6 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

15

 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Tamíris Da Costa Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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