EEEN40110 Renewable Energy Systems

Academic Year 2022/2023

Background and context: Basic energy concepts.The Sun. Solar spectral flux. Earth's atmosphere. Terrestrial emissions of energy. Earth's mean global energy budget. Greenhouse effect. Global warming and climate change. Energy trends in Ireland. Economics and environmental impact of renewable energy projects.
Wind power meteorology: Power in the wind. Wind measurement. Turbulence. Windshear. Wind variability. Statistics of wind. Wind resource estimation and wind power forecasting using statistical and physical modelling methods. Wiind power production estimation.
Wind turbine aerodynamics and regulation: Wind turbine concepts. Momentum theory and Betz limit. Blade element theory. Wind turbine optimum perfomance. Stall and pitch regulation.
Wind generator systems and grid integration: Wind turbine generator options. Electrical layout of wind turbine and wind farm. Grid integration of wind farms to distribution and transmission systems. Electrical aspects of offshore wind farms.Wind farms as power plants.
Hydro: Hydrological cycle. Resource estimation. Analysis of selected hydro turbines.
Photovoltaic: Solar geometry and resource estimation. PV physics. PV cell characteristics and equivalent circuit. Optimum power operation. PV systems. Integration of PV systems into distribution grids.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:
(1) Understand and explain the physical concepts underlying the sources of the Earth's renewable energy resources, the enhanced greenhouse effect and the Earth's global mean energy balance.
(2) Understand and explain the trends in Ireland's supply and demand for energy and the potential role renewable energy.
(3) Compare and contrast the resource availability, techno-economic viability and environmental impact of selected renewable energy technologies.
(4) Understand and explain the concepts underlying the statistical analysis of selected renewable energy resources.
(5) Analyse selected renewable energy resources
(6) Understand and explain the concepts underlying the operation and performance of selected renewable energy systems.
(7) Understand and explain the underlying concepts associated with the impact of selected renewable energy generating systems on electricity supply networks.
(8) Analyse the impact of selected renewable energy generating systems on electricity supply networks.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

30
Tutorial

3
Practical

3
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

116
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures that blend theory and exercises. Three assignments. One technical essay on renewable energy topic 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Electrical engineering to the level of EEEN30070


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
BSEN40280 - Energy Conversion & Storage, BSEN40330 - Energy Systems&Sustainable Env, BSEN40340 - Bioenergy Conversion Processes, BSEN40350 - Renewable Energy Syst Analysis, CPSC40330 - Energy Systems&Sustainable Env

Equivalents:
Wind Energy (EEEN40400)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Class Test: class test 1 Week 6 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

10
Assignment: 3 assignments Varies over the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

30
Essay: technical essay on renewable energy topic Varies over the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

10
Examination: final exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

50

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
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

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