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Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


ME40055: Energy & the environment

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 30%, EX 60%, OR 10%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take ME30068
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
To understand the energy balances within the major regions of the world, their environmental consequences and sustainability.
To introduce assessment techniques for evaluating projects in terms of energy use and environmental impact.
To understand the relationship between alternative energy technologies and the societies in which they develop and to participate in discussion of energy and environmental options.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* Evaluate the life cycle of major energy projects, and present the results in a form that will enable decision makers to comprehend fully their energy and environmental consequences.
* Develop the key features of sustainable energy strategies for countries from different regions of the world in terms of their economic development, indigenous energy resources, and environmental consequences.
* Participate in local and national debates over large and small-scale development projects with an understanding of limitations placed on them by economic, physical, and environmental constraints.

Skills:
Problem solving,; written communication; working independently.

Content:
ENERGY RESOURCES: Fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal); Primary electricity (hydro and nuclear power); Renewable energy sources; Substitutable and non-substitutable resources. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: Pollutant emissions from fossil fuel combustion: local, regional and global effects; nuclear power and environmental sustainability: technologies, radioactive emissions and waste disposal; Environmental and related impacts of renewable energy systems.
ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES : Economic assessment (including discounted cash flow investment appraisal); Thermodynamic (energy and exergy) analysis; Environmental life-cycle assessment; Qualitative environmental risks.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: "People, planet and prosperity"; the sustainability equation; principles and practice of sustainable development; 'The Natural Step' and its system conditions; Environmental footprint analysis; Local Agenda 21; 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; Case study: comparative energy studies of selected industrialised and developing countries.
Topics for self study that could be examined.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

ME40055 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • UEXX-AFM02 : MEng (hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEXX-AKM02 : MEng (hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFM04 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM04 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM05 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering with French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM05 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering with French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM06 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering with German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM06 : MEng (hons) Aerospace Engineering with German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM01 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM01 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM02 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM02 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM03 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM03 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM16 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM16 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM17 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM17 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM18 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM18 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM38 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM38 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM39 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM39 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM40 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM40 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • TEME-AFM05 : MSc Automotive Engineering (Full-time) - Year 1

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.