Overview
  • Welcome

    Welcome to the Energy Resources, Generation & Utilisation module. We hope that you’ll enjoy your time studying with us and get a lot of benefit from the new knowledge you will acquire. 

    Please read through this note and the ‘Module Descriptor’ which is available in the Module Overview folder for the ‘Energy Resources, Generation & Utilisation’ module in GCULearn. Once you have completed this you will be ready to start working on week one’s module material. 

    In many ways, engineering is the practical application of theoretical maths and scientific principles. We aim to develop your knowledge that will give you the skills and abilities to become a competent professional engineer. 

    This module builds on the previous taught module “Mechanical Principles B” module. The module is split into two topics; namely, thermodynamics and energy systems. For the thermodynamics part, the module aim to give an introduction to the laws of thermodynamics and the relevant properties, thus providing an appreciation of energy conversion processes by covering the following topics: thermodynamic systems, properties of pure substances, gases and the first law of thermodynamics and its application to closed system. 

    The first six weeks is allocated to thermodynamics. Each week will consist of description of conceptual framework on GCULearn and where appropriate model calculations to support the concept being demonstrated in thermodynamics. Each section of the course includes an introduction to it, and self-assessment questions, with many also containing videos and other tools to help you understand the topics. 

    Once you have completed these, there will be tutorial exercises for you to practice what you have learned.

    The second six weeks is allocated to Energy Systems. Each week will consist of description of conceptual framework on GCULearn and where appropriate model descriptions / calculations to support the concept being demonstrated in Electrical Energy Systems. Each section of the course includes an introduction to it, and self-assessment and contextualised questions. There is also videos and other tools to help you understand the topics. 
  • Learning Outcomes


    On completion of this module the student should be able to:

    1. Understand the basic principles of Thermodynamics;
    2. Design and calculate different gas and vapour power cycles
    3. Apply the First and Second Law of Thermodynamics on systems
    4. Introduction to traditional power systems and system components
    5. Conventional Energy Resources; coal, hydro, etc
    6. Renewable Energy Resources; wind, solar, biomass, etc
    7. Energy Audits and consumption
  • Assessment


    The module will be assessed by a 2 hour (paper based) exam, which will be held in Mauritius. The exam paper consists of 6 questions each question worth 25 marks. Each student will be required to completed 4 questions from 6. There are 3 questions from Thermodynamics (you need to solve 2) and 3 questions from Power Systems and Energy economics (you need to solve 2).

    There are also 2 coursework elements. Coursework 1, the first coursework will be an online based calculation using MapleTA on a design of a Grid Scale Compressed Air Energy Storage System utilising Solar Energy. It will be published on Week 6 and you will have 2 weeks to solve it. There will be no time limit so you can download your coursework and solve it offline, then you log in again and type in your solutions online when it suits you. You will get immediate feedback from the system on your results. You will have 2 attempts on it and the best mark of the 2 attempts will be kept so manage your time wisely. Your CW1 will carry 15% towards your final module mark. Your CW2 will carry 15% towards your final module mark.

    The second coursework will be energy review / audit report of 1600 – 200 words. It will be issued on week 8 and to be submitted by week 12. Your CW2 will carry 15% towards your final module mark.
    ComponentDurationWeighting Threshold            Description
    Coursework 115%35.00Thermodynamics
    Coursework 215%35.00Energy Report
    Exam2 hrs70%35.00Final Exam 4 out of 6 Questions

    A minimum aggregate pass mark of 40% is required in the final module mark. 
  • Feedback Strategy


    Student self-assessment / quizzes / supportive / contextualisation exercises will be identified within the module as well as tutorial exercises and students are encouraged to attempt as many of these exercises as they can.

    Solutions to these exercises will be available on GCU lean. Any difficulties / concerns you should contact your tutor.

    Feedback will be supplied through the marking of the courseworks within three weeks of the date of the submission.
  • Content Syllabus / Teaching Plan Schedule

    Thermodynamics
    Basic concepts of thermodynamics, 1st law of Thermodynamics and properties of pure substances,

    Processes:
    Open and closed systems, reversible ideal processes and steady flow processes,

    Laws of Thermodynamics:
    2nd law of thermodynamics, introduction to vapour and gas power cycles.

    Traditional power systems and energy consumption
    Power generation, transmission, distribution and utilisation, system components, control, protection.

    Conventional energy resources and power generation:
    coal, natural oil/gas, nuclear. Conventional power generation: prime movers, generators, controls, power systems.

    Renewable energy resources and production:
    Sustainability of energy resources, wind power generation, Photovoltaic, solar, tidal and wave, hydro, biomass, geo-thermal, etc

    The World energy scene (overview):
    The role of conventional energy generation, conservation and sustainability strategies. The principles of energy audit, the audit process and reporting, energy consumption, prices, costing and tariffs. Energy economics and environmental Impacts.


    Schedule

    Week Description Assessment
     
    1         Basic concepts of thermodynamics
    2         Properties of pure substances  
    3         Reversible ideal processes
    4         Steady flow processes
    5         2nd law of thermodynamics    
    6         Introduction to vapour and gas power cycles     CW1 issued
    7         Introduction to traditional power generation, transmission and distribution systems    
    8         Introduction to power systems; system components, control, etc,     CW1 due, CW2 issued
    9         Electrical Power systems; ohmic and per unit methods    
    10         Renewable energy resources and production; wind, solar, tidal, etc,.    
    11         Economics of supply and distribution    
    12         International overview of energy, energy audits, surveys, reports.     CW2 due
  • Indicative Reading

    Thermodynamics:
    “Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics” Bruce R. Munson, Wade W. Huebsch, Alric P. Rothmayer, (7th Edition) (Wiley 2012), ISBN-13:978-1118399712. 

    “Fluid Mechanics, 6/E” John Swaffield, Lynne Jack, J. F. Douglas, John Gasiorek (6th Edition) (Person 2011), ISBN-10: 0273717723. 

    “Principles of Engineering Thermodynamics” Michael J. Moran, Howard N. Shapiro, Daisie D. Boettner, Margaret B. Bailey (8th Edition): SI Version (Wiley 2015), ISBN: 978-1-118-96088-2. 

    “Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach” Yunus A. Cengel, Michael A. Boles (8th edition) (McGraw-Hill 2014), ISBN-10: 0073398179 

    “Fundamentals of Thermodynamics” Claus Borgnakke, Richard E. Sonntag (8th Edition): SI Version (Wiley 2013), ISBN: 978-1-118-32177-5. 

    Thermodynamic and Transport properties of fluids, 5th edition, SI units, arranged by G.F.C Rogers and Y.R. mayhew, Blackwell publishing (1995), ISBN: 978-0-631-19703-4
    Electrical Power Energy Systems:
    “Hughes Electrical and Electronic Technology”, 12th edition, by Edward Hughes, John Hiley, Ian McKenzie-Smith, Pearson Publishers (2016), ISBN: 978-1-292-09304-8

    “Energy Resources, Utilization and Technologies”, Anjaneyulu Yerramilli and Francis Tuluri, CRC Press. (2012), ISBN: 978-0415621137

    “Renewable Energy: Power for a sustainable future”, 3rd edition Godfrey Boyle, Oxford University Press (2012), ISBN: 9780199545339

    “Wind Energy Explained, Theory, Design and Application”, 2nd edition J.F Manwell, Jon McGowan, Anthony Rogers, John Wiley and Sons, (2010), ISBN: 978-0-470-01500-1

    “Renewable Energy Resources”, 3rd edition, John Twidell, Tony Weir, Routledge; (2015), ISBN-13: 978-0415584388

    Thermodynamic and Transport properties of fluids, 5th edition, SI units, arranged by G.F.C Rogers and Y.R. mayhew, Blackwell publishing (1995), ISBN: 978-0-631-19703-4

    Best Wishes 

    The Module Team