Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module ENGI4281: THERMO-MECHANICAL ENERGY CONVERSION and ENERGY MARKETS

Department: Engineering

ENGI4281: THERMO-MECHANICAL ENERGY CONVERSION and ENERGY MARKETS

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to H221

Prerequisites

  • (ENGI3391 Control and Signal Processing; ENGI3421 Management and Manufacture; ENGI3371 Electrical Engineering; ENGI3291 Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics; ENGI3351 Engineering Design; AND ENGI3411 Applied Mechanics OR ENGI3361 Electronics) OR (MEng(Overseas))

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • This module is for students intending to fulfil the requirements of the M.Eng. degree programme in New and Renewable Energy (H221).
  • To introduce and familiarise students with technologies for thermo-mechanical conversion of Renewable Energy for heat and power production.
  • To understand why and how market-based solutions have been applied in the electricity supply industry
  • To introduce elements of microeconomics and theory of the firm
  • To understand key principles of power system risk assessment and how these may applied in wind integration studies

Content

  • Energy Markets and aspects of market, competition and pricing
  • Energy and Risk; including aspects generation adequacy and reliability needs
  • Solar, biomass, hydrogen and waste energy resources;
  • Bio fuels and their application in engines; Technology for production of bio-fuels;
  • Biomass combustion and gasification technologies;
  • Internal and external combustion engines including micro gas turbines and Stirling engines
  • Domestic and Commercial CHP;
  • Solar thermal energy;
  • Hydrogen Technology and Fuel Cells.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • An knowledge and understanding of different types of Renewable Energy as a waste source for heat and power production.
  • An understanding of ways of thermo-mechanical conversion of renewable energy for heat and power production;
  • A knowledge of to how calculate design parameters of various thermo-mechanical converters;
  • Understanding of principles of power system economics and how market based solutions can be applied to a previously centrally controlled industry
  • Understanding of how energy is priced and how network affects marginal prices at different locations
  • Understanding of methods for quantifying risk in power systems and application to system planning and operation in systems with high renewable capacities
Subject-specific Skills:
  • An awareness of current technology, analysis methods and industrial practises along with the ability to apply those methods in novel situations.
  • To use effectively specialised, advanced computational tools and packages for the analysis of designing thermo-mechanical converters and their effect on the market and energy economics.
  • An in-depth knowledge and understanding of specialised and advanced technical and professional skills, an ability to perform critical assessment and review and an ability to communicate the results of their own work effectively.
Key Skills:
  • Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
  • Highly specialised numerical skills appropriate to an engineer.
  • Highly specialised use of information technology (IT) relevant to the engineering profession.
  • Mathematics relevant to the application of advanced engineering concepts.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The courses in Thermo mechanical Energy Systems and Energy Markets are covered in lectures, and are reinforced by seminars and by problem sheets, leading to the required problem solving capability.
  • Students are able to make use of staff 'Tutorial Hours' to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 38 2 per week 1 Hour 38
Seminars 2 2 per week ( week 20 ) 1 Hour 2
Tutorials 4 8 per module up to 1 hour 4
Laboratories 1 2 2
Preparation and Reading 154
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Research Essay Assignment 3000 words 75% No
Laboratory Report 1500 words 25% No
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 75%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Thermo mechanical Energy Conversion Systems 2 hours 67% No
Energy Markets and Risk 1.5 hours 33% No

Formative Assessment:


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University