Study information

Wind Energy - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLEWind Energy CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENE3005 MODULE CONVENERDr Ed Mackay (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 20
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Wind energy is the foremost renewable energy technology in the UK and much of the rest of the world.

This module provides you with a comprehensive, appropriate level, understanding of all facets of wind energy, the wind energy industry and the UK/EU planning and development process.

Students who have successfully completed this module have attracted summer work placements and subsequent full time employment with major national and international companies and organisations – undertaking a wide range of ‘wind’ related work.

Students taking this module should have a background knowledge of the topic, from Year 1 or foundation degree level studies of renewable energy. It is not suitable for non-specialist students but could be applicable to students involved in wider energy/sustainability related subjects.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This is an advanced course providing practical training in wind power development; including wind resource estimation; turbine design and selection; permitting procedures; construction, deployment and operations; economics and finance; environmental impact assessment and environmental management.

This module will deliver and summatively assess the Engineering Council’s Accreditation of Higher Education Programme (AHEP-4) Learning Outcomes that are indicated in brackets in the ILO section below.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
 
1 show understanding of the design and project development process for wind farms, including a comprehensive knowledge of the planning and permitting process for wind energy developments (M5, M15 
2 apply mathematical methods to analyse new and/or abstract wind resource data and wind farm situations to produce statements of the wind energy resource at specific sites and select appropriate wind turbine models to maximise the wind energy harnessed (M2, M3, M13);
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
 
3 understand and apply the capabilities of GIS methods for renewable energy project site selection (M3);
4 recognise and analyse physical and environmental site constraints for a renewable energy project (M5, M7);
 
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:
 
5 produce a comprehensive professional-standard report outlining your project outcomes (M17);
6 orally communicate your analysis and results (M17).
 
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

1: Introduction to course and assessment. Introduction to wind power, wind farms and project development. Benefits of wind power.

2: Wind turbine technology: history, current and future development; design fundamentals.

3: Wind farm meteorology: wind, data collection, wind resource assessment. 

4: Wind turbine selection and associate issues; operating characteristics.

5: Site selection/feasibility.  Site identification and mapping; Project planning and EIA; Key constraints: access, grid, land, wind, planning permits.

6: Environmental constraints: noise, visual, ecology, heritage, aviation, EMI etc. Environmental management.

7: Economics and financing, Power purchase agreements, Market drivers, tariff regimes.

8: Balance of plant, construction, commissioning, O and M, H and S.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 40 Guided Independent Study 110 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 24 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 16 IT workshops
Guided independent study 110 Private study

 

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
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 90 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 10
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Project report 50 Not more than 3000 words+ maps/diagrams etc. 1, 2, 4, 5 Detailed marking & feedback sheet
Mapping Exercise 40 GIS Map 3, 4 Detailed marking & feedback sheet
Presentation 10 Presentation (10 mins) 6 Detailed marking & feedback sheet

 

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
Project report/mid programme essay/report Project report (50%) 1, 2, 4, 5

Referral/deferral period
Mapping exercise Mapping exercise (40%) 3, 4

Referral/deferral period
Presentation Presentation (10%) 6

Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

If a student is referred or deferred, the failed / non-completed component(s) will be re-assessed at the same weighting as the original assessment.

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

Basic reading:

Web based and Electronic Resources:

HMSO Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/147444.pdf 

HMSO Planning for Renewable Energy: A Companion Guide to PPS22: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/147447.pdf

Renewables UK (formerly British Wind Energy Association): http://www.bwea.com/

Wind Energy  the Facts: http://www.wind-energy-the-facts.org/en/home--about-the-project.html                                                                                                                                            

Other Resources:

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Gipe, P. Wind power London : Earthscan 2004 1902916549
Set Gipe, P., Righter, R.W. Wind power in view : energy landscapes in a crowded world. London : Academic 0125463340
Set Piggot, H. Windpower workshop: building your own wind turbine Powys Centre for Alternative Technology Publications 2000 1898049270.
Set Gasch, R. and Twele, J. Wind power plants : fundamentals, design, construction and operation Berlin : Solarpraxis 2002 3934595235
Set Burton, T Wind energy handbook Chichester: John Wiley 2001 0471489972
Set Hansen, M. O. L. Aerodynamics of wind turbines London : James and James 2008 1902916069
Set Redlinger, R. Y., Andersen, P. D., Morthorst, P. E. Wind energy in the 21st century : economics, policy, technology and the changing electricity industry Basingstoke : Palgrave 2002 0333792483
Set Rivkin, D. and Silk, L. Wind Energy Jones and Bartlett 2013 978-1-4496-2447-7
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Saturday 9th March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Friday 2nd August 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH Wind, turbines, renewable, energy, engineering

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