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ME40055: Energy & the environment

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2018/9
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 40%, EX 60%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Report (CW 40%)
  • Examination (EX 60%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
ME40055 Reassessment Examination (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To enable students to assess and evaluate the mechanisms by which power and energy are supplied and stored, and determine the impacts (environmental, societal and cost) associated with power production, and matching supply and demand.

Learning Outcomes:
After successfully completing this unit the student will be able to:
* Describe a variety of power production technologies and how these can help meet demand
* Evaluate the life cycle impact of both renewable and non renewable energy projects.
* Develop and present the key features of sustainable energy strategies in terms of their abillity to meet demand, provide secure supply and meet national and international legislation and policy.

Skills:
Problem solving; written communication; working independently, system analysis, group work and presenting and debating.

Content:
ENERGY RESOURCES: Fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal); Renewable energy sources (eg solar, hydro, marine, biomass, wind);
ENERGY DEMAND: Matching supply and demand and the impact of high penetration of non dispatchable options. Exploring demand reduction strategies and options in both industry and domestic situations.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: Pollutant emissions from fossil fuel combustion: local, regional and global effects; nuclear power and environmental sustainability; environmental impacts associated with renewable technologies, including biomass, solar, marine, hydro and wind.
ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES: Economic assessment; energy analysis; environmental life cycle assessment; qualitiative environmental risks.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: "People, planet and prosperity"; principles and practice of sustainable development; sustainable energy options.
ENERGY AND SOCIETY: the technology-society relationship; alternative energy technologies; energy conservation; energy and transport.
ENERGY STRATEGIES: Major world producers and users; energy systems modelling; UK energy issues and strategies; energy and the developing world: basic human needs, the role of biofuels, and 'appropriate' energy technologies
ENERGY POLICY: Overview of current UK and global policy situation, to include development and evaluation of policy.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

ME40055 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • UEEE-AFM12 : MEng(Hons) Electrical Power Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AKM12 : MEng(Hons) Electrical Power Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEXX-AFM02 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEXX-AKM02 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFM04 : MEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM04 : MEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM48 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Design Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM48 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Design Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM47 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM47 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)

Notes: