INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS - 2025/6

Module Overview

In this dynamic module, you will be at the forefront of understanding the principles behind renewable energy sources and their conversion technologies, delving into the realms of wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal power. As active participants in this course, you will explore the foundations of sustainability, gaining insights into the crucial role it plays in transitioning towards a low-carbon economy.

Throughout the module, you will not only grasp theoretical concepts but also engage hands-on with the energy generating devices. Picture yourself harnessing the power of sunlight in solar panel laboratory sessions and understanding the sustainable potential of biomass and geothermal resources. You won't just be learning about the future; you will be actively contributing to it.

As we guide you through the course, you will develop a holistic perspective on the global energy landscape. We will unravel the complexities of sustainable transitions, empowering you to critically assess the challenges and opportunities in our journey towards a cleaner, greener future. Be prepared to explore next-generation materials and technologies proposed to meet the world's escalating energy demands responsibly.

The foundation knowledge obtained in this module closely relates to all other modules in the study programme, particularly Sustainable Energy Storage and Smart Energy Systems & Analysis. Together, they provide a full picture of sustainable energy systems and the necessary knowledge of analytical tools required for designing modern energy systems.

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

SILVA Ravi (CS & EE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Energy challenges, current energy landscape, national commitments to meeting net zero

• Energy challenges in the context of the current global requirements.


• Present energy mix and its unsustainability.


• Quantifying global energy usage and the capacity of different sources.


• Solutions available to decarbonise current energy systems, solar energy fit to future energy landscape.


• Legislation landscape and national programmes to decarbonise large scale energy systems.

• Definition of renewable energy systems and timelines.


• Capacity of current energy sources in use and the fit of renewables to Sustainable Development Goals.


• Imperatives for expansion in renewables and decarbonisation on national grids.


• Scale requirements for renewables to meet net zero targets.


• Different technologies and key drivers associated with developing new technologies with illustrative examples.

• Key renewable technologies: energy density and availability for wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal power.


• Need for smart grids, digital technologies and distributed energy provision.


• Energy generation devices: fundamentals and devices structure and operation, solar energy conversion, factors affecting efficiency, photovoltaic devices, multi-junction devices, hydro: introduction to tidal and wave energy conversion.


• Energy distribution, transmission and storage, electrical power handling.

• Introduction to wind energy: The solar origin of wind, wind types, effect of topography, wind measurements.


• Wind data and statistics: probability density function, power output profile of wind turbines, applications.


• Wind turbines: Challenges to Wind Power, Offshore and Onshore.

• Biomass resources and biorefinery products; biochemical conversion: Bioethanol production system.


• Biomass thermochemical conversion: Combined heat and power system.


• Geothermal: heat transfer in the ground, ground source heat pump.


• Geothermal energy pile foundation, ground thermal recovery and recharge.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the learning outcomes. The written examination will assess the knowledge and assimilation of terminology, concepts and theory of the different parts of the module.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of the following.

• Laboratory experiments report (covering all Learning Outcomes).


• Examination (covering all Learning Outcomes).

• During lectures, by question and answer sessions.


• During tutorials/tutorial classes.


• During Laboratories sessions.


• By means of unassessed tutorial problem sheets (with answers).

Module aims

• Equip students with a comprehensive understanding of various renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal. Through engaging lectures and hands-on experiences, we aim to provide insights into the principles behind these sources and their conversion technologies.
• Guide students in discovering the principles of sustainability and their application in the context of renewable energy. By examining real-world case studies and participating in discussions, students will develop a keen awareness of the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
• Provide students with opportunities for hands-on exploration of renewable energy technologies. By experimenting with photovoltaic devices students will actively engage with the practical aspects of sustainable energy solutions.
• Cultivate a critical mindset among students, enabling them to evaluate and analyse the next-generation materials proposed for meeting global energy demands. Through interactive sessions, students will gain the skills to assess the viability and impact of emerging materials in the realm of green energy.
• Empower students to actively participate in the global transition towards sustainability. By fostering a deep understanding of the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable practices, students will be equipped to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing efforts for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to achieve the module aims by exposing students to key areas that are needed for a modern energy mix. Electrical energy conversion from renewable energy sources will be a key focus point. We will emphasise next generation technologies and will give students an appreciation of the current dominant technologies and what is required for sustainable solutions of the future.

Learning and teaching methods include the following:

• Lectures. Teaching delivery will normally consist of at least two hours and a maximum of three hours of live learning sessions (lectures or tutorials/problem classes or a mix) in each teaching week with at least one hour of captured digital content per teaching week. A mixture of pre-recorded lectures and problem classes can be used reflecting the content of the module.


• Tutorials.


• Laboratories with hand-on experience of measuring energy harvesting devices, including preparation, experimental lab-based part and report writing that will be marked.


• In class discussions (as part of lectures).


• Private study of specified articles.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM311

Other information

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences / Sustainable Energy MSc is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital capabilities:   The student’s digital capabilities will be enhanced via the use of advanced modelling software, such as MATLAB, to perform advanced calculations and analysis which will be related the devices structural and corresponding materials electronic properties to the resultant energy conversion efficiency. 

Employability:   The module provides ample opportunity for students to demonstrate their mastery of advanced calculations which will aid the student’s employability as the student will be able to call upon examples of where they have performed calculations, discussed the approach taken and also the assumptions and limitations used in their calculations. 

Resourcefulness and Resilience:  Students’ resourcefulness and resilience will be enhanced as the they will need to think critically and exercise engineering judgment underlying the some of the assumptions, they would need to employ in an energy generation and conversion systems.

Sustainability:  The module shows how energy harvesting and conversion technologies can be developed once an understanding of the factors that influence energy conversion efficiency are understood; this will contribute to students’ critical assessment of sustainable solutions for affordable and clean energy especially via UNSDG no. 7 which states “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all".

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.