Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Sustainable Energy Engineering draft

Program Overview

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Course Description

Sustainable Energy Engineering involves applying the principles of energy conversion and use. The course investigates renewable energy sources, such as wind energy, solar energy and other heat sources. You’ll learn about the design and operation of wind turbines, solar energy panels and other equipment associated with alternative energy.

Governments are trying to balance economic growth with protecting the environment. This course is a direct response to the need to produce innovative graduates with qualifications in the energy field in particular. The first two years of the course will introduce you to the fundamental areas of engineering. Modules in mechanical and electrical engineering are included along with specialist energy and traditional energy sources.

In Year 3, you’ll specialise further in transport, efficient energy use and energy design. In your final year, you’ll focus more on smart technologies, simulation and project work.  The course will prepare you to work in the energy field by exposing you to the fundamental concepts of energy sources, generation, distribution, consumption and optimisation. You’ll also study more specialised topics such as green technologies, as well as national and international energy markets and how they relate to energy production, consumption and optimisation.

If you’re interested in helping create a better world or just interested in the technologies, this course will set you on the way to a rewarding career in the energy business.

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Study Abroad Opportunities

In Year 2 or 3, there are opportunities to study abroad under the Erasmus programme for a semester or one year in France, Germany, Austria or Spain.

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Professional Accreditation

This 4 year Honours Degree is Accredited by Engineers Ireland

Program Outline

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four

Semester 1

Critical Skills Development

This Module will focus, in particular, on the development of critical skills such as research skills, learning skills, the skills of academic writing and referencing, critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills/teamwork.

Energy Science 1

This module aims to introduce the student to the fundamentals of physics relevant to the analysis of energy and energy conversion systems.

Traditional Energy Sources

This module aims to equip students with knowledge of the formation, reserves, extraction, processing, and transport to markets of various fuel sources.

Global Environment

The aim of this module is to familiarise the student with the global, regional and national environments. This will include the pressure on the environment from the main sources of pollution.

Technical Mathematics 1

The first aim of Technical Mathematics 1 is a thorough revision and consolidation of key numeracy and algebra skills, including the effective use of a calculator. The second aim of Technical Mathematics 1 is to support other engineering modules in year 1 by covering unit conversion, manipulation of engineering formulae, linear laws, the study of right-angled triangles and complex numbers. The third aim of the module is to introduce students to the use of software applications in the presentation and manipulation of engineering data.

Design with Computers 1

The aim of this module is to equip the students with the knowledge and skills necessary to create, modify and interpret, 2-D basic drawings of structures or buildings in a CAD environment to a recognised standard.

Semester 2

Circuits and Schematics

The aim of this module is to provide the learner with an understanding of the role of computers as a design tool for electrical and electronic engineering design and to enable them to understand the role of fundamental electronic components and train them in the appropriate use of basic electronic test equipment. The student will be able to create, read and interpret electrical and electronic engineering drawings. The student will also be able to explain the role of resistors, capacitors and diodes in circuits as well as make measurements of circuit values using standard test equipment. The student will be able program and interface a controller with external electrical components.

Energy Science 2

This module aims to develop an appreciation of various types of energy from different sources. The module also equips the students to understand the conversion of energy from one form to another through different means and their effects on the environment.

Renewable Energy

This module aims to equip students with an understanding of the renewable energy technology and its potential to generate a significant portion of Europe’s total energy.

Thermal Energy Analysis

This module aims to equip students with the ability to use fundamental thermodynamic concepts to carry out thermodynamic analysis of thermal energy components and systems.

Electrical Fundamentals

The module will familiarise the student with the principles of energy storage and transport in electrical and magnetic circuits. The module will provide the knowledge and skills required to safely build electrical circuits, and to measure and analyse the currents, voltage and power in the circuit.

Technical Mathematics 2

The first aim of Technical Mathematics 2 is to enable the student to master a broad range of standard mathematical techniques in statistics, algebra, geometry, co-ordinate geometry and trigonometry to a high level of proficiency. This proficiency is required to support engineering subjects and forms the basis for further mathematical study in year 2. The second aim is to deepen the students understanding of key mathematical ideas regarding data presentation and interpretation, engineering functions, and trigonometry in such a way as to support other engineering modules. The third aim is to extend the students use of software applications in the visualisation and processing of engineering data.

Semester 3

Environmental Technology

This module aims to familiarise the student with the sources, test methods and treatment of air, liquid and solid pollutants.

IT Network Management

This module aims to equip the student with the skills necessary understand various different network topologies and protocols which are encountered in the industrial environment. The students are also familiarised with hardware elements of a typical network system such as cabling, nodes, sensors, network devices and interfaces.

Energy Control Systems 1

This module introduces the measurement and manipulation of process signals. The operation of analogue and digital sensors and actuators is addressed. Programmable logic controllers are introduced.

Power Generation

This module aims to provide the student with the knowledge and skills to carry out an elementary analysis of the performance of large scale thermo-electric power generation plant as used by utilities, industry and large commercial applications.

Electrical Machines

This module aims to familiarise the student with the operating characteristics of common electrical components and devices. The student will be able to analyse the performance of, and select and specify a range of motors, generators, drives and associated equipment.

Technical Mathematics 3

The first aim of Technical Mathematics 3 is to develop the students’ competence in a range of mathematical techniques in discrete mathematics, probability as applied to reliability, array handling and basic calculus in such a way as to support other engineering modules. The second aim is to deepen the students understanding of key mathematical ideas regarding number systems, logic, probability, rates of change and matrices as a basis for further mathematical study in semester 4. The third aim is to extend the students use of software applications in the manipulation and processing of engineering data.

Semester 4

Energy and Environmental Regulations

This module aims to familiarise the student with relevant Environmental and Health and Safety Regulations. The module covers the theory associated with these regulations and then through detailed examination of major industrial accidents, applies this theory to real life incidents.

Energy Control Systems 2

The module provides the tools to analyse and design systems to control process plant and the consumption of energy in various systems.

Renewable Energy Systems

This module aims to equip students to evaluate wind energy systems as alternative sources of energy.

Process Heating

Upon completion of this module, students will be able to use their knowledge of industrial process heating systems and components to the carry out a thermodynamic analysis of these systems.

Electrical Installation Practice

This module imparts knowledge and skills to enable the student to select and specify the components of a domestic/light industrial electrical installation. The module also looks at power quality with a strong emphasis on the topic of harmonic distortion. Power factor the causes effects and solutions as well as the financial impact it has on both installation costs and ongoing utility charges.

Technical Mathematics 4

The first aim of Technical Mathematics 4 is to develop the students’ competence in a range of mathematical techniques in probability (as applied to process control), iteration (as applied to numerical integration and the numerical solution of equations) and basic calculus in such a way as to support other engineering modules. The second aim is to deepen the students understanding of key mathematical ideas regarding the application of the normal distribution to engineering problems, sequence and the convergence of a mathematical sequence, basic integration of engineering functions (including indefinite integrals, definite integrals, and numerical integration). The third aim is to extend the students use of software applications in the processing of engineering data (sampling and control) and understanding engineering concepts (numerical integration and limits).

Semester 5

Technical Mathematics 5

This module has two aims: 1. to introduce basic matrix techniques for the formulation and solution of engineering problems. These techniques include the representation of geometric transformations, the power method to find eigenvalues and the solution of systems of differential equations. 2. to use partial differentiation to formulate and solve optimisation problems in several variables and to perform error analysis.

Transport

The aim of this module is to deal with energy consumption attributed to transport. This will include alternative technologies.

Financial Analysis

This module aims to equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to carry out basic accounting and financial analysis and to communicate effectively with accountants.

Refrigeration and HVAC

This module aims to familiarize with the student with ventilation, refrigeration and air-conditioning processes and systems. In addition, they will apply their knowledge to the analysis of selected industrial and commercial applications.

Energy Distribution Systems 1

This module imparts knowledge and skills to enable the learner to select and specify the components of an electrical distribution system. The module also introduces modelling and analysis of electrical power transmission systems.

Energy Project 1

The aim of this module is to provide students with the experience of taking a planned approach to working through an energy and environmental related problem from start to finish. It is required that the student exhibit skills required to obtain and interpret results comparing them against initial stated specification, aims and objectives.

Semester 6

Technical Mathematics 6

This module aims to support Semester 6 modules by introducing Laplace Transforms and their use in solving linear differential equations. 2. To deepen the students’ knowledge of geometry, by introducing the formulation and solution of 3D problems involving lines and planes in vector notation. To be able to calculate the divergence, gradient and curl and relate these to ideas in geometry and physics. 3. To use an iterative technique in several variables to solve systems of equations numerically and as an introduction to material they may cover in Year 4.

Demand Reduction

This module aims to equip the student with the knowledge and skills to reduce thermal energy demand of the major energy usage systems such as HVAC, steam and compressed air plant, recover energy from thermal systems and evaluate thermal energy demand reduction proposals from thermodynamic and financial perspectives.

Design & Materials

This module aims to equip students with the basic knowledge, understanding and skills required to: Identify barriers to creative thought; Analyse, propose, select and specify solutions to design problems which have relevance to energy and environmental projects. Equip students to calculate the requirements for typical components found in related systems. Provides student with fundamental knowledge in materials. Overview of the relationship between the structure & properties of materials. The student will have a knowledge of materials selection.

Operations & Business Management

This module has three aims: 1. To enable the student to formulate a wide range of problems that can expressed as linear programming problems. 2. To enable the student to solve linear programming problems using a variety of special methods. 3. To develop an understanding of the commercial and managerial aspects of developing new projects

Energy Auditing

This module aims to equip students with the ability to carry out a comprehensive energy audit of an existing energy system and also to develop monitoring and targeting tools.

Energy Project 2

The aim of this module is to provide students with the experience of taking a planned approach to working through an energy and environmental related problem from start to finish. It is required that the student exhibit skills required to obtain and interpret results comparing them against initial stated specification, aims and objectives.

Semester 7

Bio-Energy Systems

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the importance of biological processes in the energy field. This course will take an applied look at a number of important processes that will be important in ensuring Irelands Energy Security into the future.

BEng (Hons) Energy Project 1

The Project, (consisting of BEng (Hons) Energy Project 1 and BEng (Hons) Energy Project 2) is largely a self-learning process and students are expected to use the knowledge they have gained during their attendance at lectures, labs tutorials as well as that information gained using a good research strategy. The project supervisor is expected to provide support and advice for the project student during the allocated supervision time. The main role of the supervisor is to “guide” the project on a weekly basis and students are strongly advised to use project meetings in an effective manner by outlining problems, presenting experimental results and prepared questions. Students are strongly advised to follow advice from their supervisors and maintain regular contact throughout the project.

Project Management

The aim of this subject is to give the student an understanding of concepts, planning and implementation tools and techniques in project management.

Energy Distribution Systems 2

This module aims to familiarise the student with the structure and characteristics of large scale energy distribution systems. The module introduces the student to performance and control issues, including reliability, fault tolerance and cost issues.

System Simulation and Modelling

This subject aims to give the student a formal foundation in system modelling, using software based simulation tools. Case studies will include mechanical, fluids, thermal energy systems, communications and electrical networks.

Industrial Statistics & Quality

This module provides the student with statistical tools for designing experiments, evaluating processes and predicting responses. This module will also provide the student with quality tools for supporting quality functions within a manufacturing organisation.

Semester 8

Heat Transfer

This module aims to equip the student with the ability to apply heat transfer principles and analytic methodologies to the solution of common heat transfer problems encountered in practical situations.

Innovation and Enterprise

This module demonstrates how idea generation is part of the innovation process. Communicate the innovation techniques that are used in developing prototypes. Show how commercialisation is used to exploit the products of innovation. Identify business start-up strategy. Explain how to produce a feasibility study and business plan. Identify sources of funding and agencies for business assistance. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal issues facing a business.

BEng (Hons) Energy Project 2

The Project, (consisting of BEng (Hons) Energy Project 1 and BEng (Hons) Energy Project 2) is largely a self-learning process and students are expected to use the knowledge they have gained during their attendance at lectures, labs tutorials as well as that information gained using a good research strategy. The project supervisor is expected to provide support and advice for the project student during the allocated supervision time. The main role of the supervisor is to “guide” the project on a weekly basis and students are strongly advised to use project meetings in an effective manner by outlining problems, presenting experimental results and prepared questions. Students are strongly advised to follow advice from their supervisors and maintain regular contact throughout the project.

Facilities Management Systems

This module will describe and outline the requirements of facilities management as defined by EN 15221 series of standards. This module will equip the student with the skills required to analyse failure data with a view to selecting an appropriate management strategy to address typical failure distributions that occur in industrial facilities. This will also include environmental assessment methods and rating systems for buildings”.

Energy Economics and Policy

The objective of this module is to provide the student with a strong appreciation of economic, environmental, and social constraints on the supply of and demand for energy, and of the technological, policy and economic/market developments that are taking place in Ireland and internationally in respect of those constraints.

Smart Technologies

This module aims to provide the learner with specialised know how in the area of Smart Grid technologies particular emphasis is placed on the evolution of the existing electricity network to enable the operation of a network where demand follows supply. Emphasis is placed on the communications aspect of ICT with an introduction to Embedded hardware programming. On completion of the module the student will be well placed to assess and evaluate the choice of technology necessary to achieve objectives in the Smart Grid arena.

Graduate Job Titles:

Biomass and Wind Farm Management

Energy Design

Energy Management and Consultancy

Renewables

Facilities Management

Environmental Services