Study information

Key Skills for Renewable Energy Applications - 2025 entry

MODULE TITLEKey Skills for Renewable Energy Applications CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENEM106 MODULE CONVENERDr Helen Smith (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 20
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module will develop your core competencies and skills and introduce relevant tools which are used in renewable energy technology and project development, and then apply these to a renewable energy feasibility study addressing a real-world challenge. The module addresses a range of skills around computer-based software tools, project management and sustainability, and general academic skills, which will be important throughout your MSc programme and in wider employment.

This module is compulsory for MSc Renewable Energy Engineering students, and is designed to complement and support the technology-focused ENEM101 Renewable Energy Systems module.

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to equip you with key skills which are fundamental to the Renewable Energy Engineering MSc programme and a renewable energy engineering career. These include the use of computational tools including geographic information systems (GIS) and Matlab programming. Beyond the computational skills, the module will address the sustainability of projects through life-cycle analysis (LCA). It will also introduce project management techniques, and will develop your general academic skills including sourcing and synthesis of data and information, report writing and presentation skills.

 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes (www.engc.org.uk/ahep). The Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes taught and assessed on this module are specified by the codes below.

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

  1. Apply fundamental knowledge of renewable energy systems to address a clean energy challenge (M2-FL);  

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

  1. Understand and apply principles of EDI in a team-working environment (M13-FL);

  2. Apply a range of project management skills including an analysis of risk to successfully plan and execute a multi-disciplinary project (M9-FL, M15-FL);

  3. Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems (to include the entire lifecycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts (M7);

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

  1. Present research outcomes effectively (M17-FL);

  2. Work effectively as part of a team and reflect on and evaluate your own and others’ performance (M16-FL).

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

  • Research skills

  • Academic presentations

  • Introduction to computer programming and data analysis with Matlab

  • CAD/Solidworks self-directed learning Spatial data and GIS

  • Project management

  • Life cycle analysis

  • Approaches to renewable energy feasibility studies

  • Site visit(s) to support feasibility study, where permitted

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 64 Guided Independent Study 86 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category

Hours of study time

Description

Scheduled learning and teaching activities

16

Seminars: Delivery and discussion of core concepts

Scheduled learning and teaching activities

12

Guided workshops on software applications

Scheduled learning and teaching activities

12

Guided group-work sessions to support project work

Scheduled learning and teaching activities

24

Field course to support group project

Guided independent study

86

Tutorial exercises, independent reading and research, assessment preparation and write-up

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment

Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)

ILOs Assessed

Feedback Method

None

 

 

  

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment

% of Credit

Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)

ILOs Assessed

Feedback Method

Coursework 1 

40

2000-word equivalent 

4, 5 

Written 

Coursework 2

60

3000-word equivalent/student 

1-3, 6 

Written 

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment

Form of Re-assessment

ILOs Re-assessed

Time Scale for Re-assessment

Coursework 1 

Coursework 1 (2000-word equivalent, 40%)

4, 5

Referral/deferral period

Coursework 2

Coursework 2 (3000-word equivalent/student, 40%)

1-3, 6 

Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Referred and deferred assignments will mirror the original modes of assessment, with the group report replaced by an individual report covering similar material.

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Web-based and electronic resources:

  • ELE

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set NA ISO 14040:2006 Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework
Set NA ISO 14044:2006 Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Requirements and guidelines
Set Attaway, S. MATLAB: a practical introduction to programming and problem solving 9780128163450
Set Burrough, P. A., R. A. McDonnell, C. D. Lloyd Principles of Geographic Information Systems 3rd 9780198742845
Set Onwubolu, G. Computer-Aided Engineering Design with SolidWorks Imperial College Press, London 2013 9781848166653
Set Singh, Anoop; Pant, Deepak; Olsen, Stig Irving (Eds.) Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources Springer 2013 978-1-4471-5363-4
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 4 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Monday 11th March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 16th April 2025
KEY WORDS SEARCH Renewable energy; Matlab; LCA; Project management;

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.