Note: This unit version is currently being edited and is subject to change!
ELEC5206: Sustainable Energy Systems (2013 - Semester 2)
| Unit: | ELEC5206: Sustainable Energy Systems (6 CP) |
| Mode: | Normal-Day |
| On Offer: | Yes |
| Level: | Postgraduate |
| Faculty/School: | School of Electrical and Information Engineering |
| Unit Coordinator/s: |
Dr Verbic, Gregor
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| Session options: | Semester 2 |
| Versions for this Unit: | |
| Site(s) for this Unit: |
https://elearning.sydney.edu.au |
| Campus: | Camperdown/Darlington |
| Pre-Requisites: | None. |
| Brief Handbook Description: | The unit builds upon the knowledge of engineering mathematics, electronic devices and circuit theory and simulation techniques. It deals with both technical and business aspects of sustainable electrical energy systems. In technical aspect, it focuses on energy conversion and electrical characteristics of different renewable energy sources and integration of multiple energy sources into power system both at distribution and transmission levels. In business aspect, it focuses on economical, marketing and political aspects of installing and managing sustainable electrical energy systems in present and future society. It lays a solid foundation of practical and managerial skills on electronics and electrical (power) engineering and later studies such as intelligent electricity networks and advanced energy conversion and power systems. The following topics are covered: modern power systems; distributed generation; co-generation; tri-generation; microturbines; fuel cells; renewable energy sources: solar, wind, hydro, biomass, wind turbines; photovoltaic; grid-connected power systems; stand-alone power systems. |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Following concepts are assumed knowledge for this unit of study: familiarity with transformers, ac power, capacitors and inductors, electric circuits such as three-phase circuits and circuits with switches, and basic electronic circuit theory. |
| Lecturer/s: |
Dr Verbic, Gregor
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| Timetable: | ELEC5206 Timetable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time Commitment: |
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| T&L Activities: | Tutorial: To work through problems to enhance concepts Laboratory: To work through problems to enhance concepts Project Work - own time: Teamwork based term project on solar energy systems |
Attributes listed here represent the key course goals (see Course Map tab) designated for this unit. The list below describes how these attributes are developed through practice in the unit. See Learning Outcomes and Assessment tabs for details of how these attributes are assessed.
| Attribute Development Method | Attribute Developed |
| The students will be encouraged to interpret the data given as well as published data from the literature to solve the problems. An appreciation that sustainable energy systems are based on the principles and knowledge of science and mathematics. An ability to apply sustainable energy systems along with the basics of science and mathematics to engineering problem solving. | Design (Level 4) |
| Gain an understanding of the basic concepts in renewable energy sources and associated power system design. It builds on the previous knowledge gained in circuits, power electronics and electrical energy conversion systems. | Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 5) |
| Have a broad view of current power system architecture and electrical characteristics of different renewable energy sources. | Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3) |
| An ability to identify, utilize an locate appropriate information resources including literature, and electronic media. An ability to conduct experiments and to analyse and interpret data from those experiments. | Information Seeking (Level 2) |
| The tutorials and design project offered are interactive in nature and will develop good communication skill among the students. | Communication (Level 2) |
| The design project offered is interactive in nature and need leadership and team work in order to complete the project in limited time and resources. | Project Management and Teamwork (Level 2) |
For explanation of attributes and levels see Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table.
Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. They are listed according to the course goal supported by each. See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.
Design (Level 4)
1. Capacity to solve analysis and design problems in renewable and non-renewable energy sources drawing on technical and non-technical information and applying the emerging concepts.
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 5)
2. Ability to demonstrate an understanding of working principle, energy conversion efficieny, and maximum power point tracking of each renewable energy source that uses for sustainable energy system design, to the extent of the material and work presented.
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3)
3. Ability to demonstrate an understanding of systems including electromechanical converters (electrical machines), electrochemical converters (batteries, fuel cells) and electronic converters as well as basic circuit elements to the extent of the material presented.
4. Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the properties, applications and limitations of conventional and alternative renewable/non-renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, tidal, geothermal.
Information Seeking (Level 2)
5. Ability to instigate inquiry and knowledge development using electronic media to draw on a vast source of professional documents in various formats, synthesising the information to solve a specific engineering problem.
Communication (Level 2)
6. Ability to present terse information accurately using varied formats and media to a level appropriate to the expected understanding and capabilities of relevant stakeholders.
Project Management and Teamwork (Level 2)
7. Ability to work in a team by assuming diverse roles, aiding or initiating the process of team interaction and drawing on and being receptive to others' viewpoints, to try and solve a specific engineering task.
| Assessment Methods: |
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| Assessment Description: |
Lab Report: Laboratory experiments on photovoltaic and wind power systems design Assignment research paper on current and future sustainable energy systems` issues Mid-Sem Exam: Mid-semester exam Project: Design project on renewable energy systems in Homer Final Exam: Final exam |
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| Grading: |
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| Faculty Policies & Procedures: | Academic Honesty in Coursework. All students must submit a cover sheet for all assessment work that declares that the work is original and not plagiarised from the work of others. Coursework assessment and examination policy. The faculty policy is to use standards based assessment for units where grades are returned and criteria based assessment for Pass/Fail only units. Norm referenced assessment will only be used in exceptional circumstances and its use will need to be justified to the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Special consideration for illness or misadventure may be considered when an assessment component is severely affected. This policy gives the details of the information that is required to be submitted along with the appropriate procedures and forms. Special Arrangements for Examination and Assessment. In exceptional circumstances alternate arrangements for exams or assessment can be made. However concessions for outside work arrangements, holidays and travel, sporting and entertainment events will not normally be given. Student Appeals against Academic Decisions. Students have the right to appeal any academic decision made by a school or the faculty. The appeal must follow the appropriate procedure so that a fair hearing is obtained. Note that policies regarding assessment submission, penalties and assessment feedback depend upon the individual unit of study. Details of these policies, where applicable, will be found above with other assessment details in this unit outline. All university policies can be found at http://sydney.edu.au/policy Various request forms for the Faculty of Engineering and IT can be found at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/forms/ |
| Prescribed Text/s: |
Note: Students are expected to have a personal copy of all books listed.
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| Recommended Reference/s: |
Note: References are provided for guidance purposes only. Students are advised to consult these books in the university library. Purchase is not required.
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| Online Course Content: | https://elearning.sydney.edu.au |
Note that the "Weeks" referred to in this Schedule are those of the official university semester calendar https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
| Week | Description |
| Week 1 | Overview of unit: syllabus, assessment, assumed knowledge, learning outcomes, relationship to other units of study. Relevance of text and web pages. Brief history and overview of modern electric power systems. Generation, transmission and distribution. |
| Week 2 | Energy supply, demand and Distribution generation. Power sector in Australia. Review of existing power sources. Thermal power plants. Hydro power plants. Distributed generation. |
| Week 3 | Solar energy and solar resource. |
| Week 4 | Photovoltaic materials and electrical characteristics. |
| Week 5 | Photovoltaic systems’ design. Grid connected and islanded operation. Battery sizing. |
| Week 6 | Wind energy and wind resource. Estimating available power in the wind. |
| Week 7 | Wind turbines. |
| Assessment Due: Assignment | |
| Week 8 | Distributed generation with fossil fuels. Microturbines. Fuel cells. |
| Week 9 | Other energy resources. Solar thermal. Micro hydro. Wave and tidal power. Biomass. |
| Assessment Due: Mid-Sem Exam | |
| Week 10 | Energy storage devices and technologies. |
| Week 11 | Sustainable energy systems design. Economic feasibility assessment. |
| Week 12 | Grid Integration of intermittent generation. |
| Week 13 | Invited Lecture. |
| Assessment Due: Project | |
| Exam Period | Assessment Due: Final Exam |
Course Relations
The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.
Course Goals
This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:
| Attribute | Practiced | Assessed |
| Design (Level 4) | Yes | 20.33% |
| Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 5) | Yes | 17% |
| Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3) | Yes | 39% |
| Information Seeking (Level 2) | Yes | 9% |
| Communication (Level 2) | Yes | 9.33% |
| Professional Conduct (Level 2) | No | 0% |
| Project Management and Teamwork (Level 2) | Yes | 5.33% |
These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole. Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.
