RE4S011 - Solar, Heat, and the Grid 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: RE4S011
Module Title: Solar, Heat, and the Grid
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Research and Innovation
Faculty Sub Group: Sustainable Environment Research Centre
Module Leader: James Reed
Module Team: Stephen Carr
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100175 - energy engineering
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

Understand the physical principles nature of the resource that underpin the design and operation of solar power technologies.

Gain an appreciation of the issues around the generation and supply of zero-carbon heat to an industrialised country.

Develop knowledge, understanding and a critical appreciation of the technical issues of operating a zero-carbon electricity and heat network.

Content Summary

Solar Power: The module deals with the photovoltaic effect and its implications on design, operation and cost of photovoltaic devices for electricity production. It deals with the solar resource and how to model it for application in use with solar power systems. It also deals with solar thermal devices for direct heating applications, as well as concentrated solar power systems for baseload electricity production.

Heat: The module describes the reasons for, the level, and variation of heat demand in across the different sectors in the UK and describes techniques for modelling, reducing demand, and decarbonising its supply.

Grid: Understand the nature of energy supply and demand in terms of grid network balancing. Investigate the interconnected nature of zero-carbon energy demand and supply; power for electricity, heat, and transport.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 36
Practical classes and workshops 7
External visits 6
Independent Study 106
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 5
Groupwork 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Understand scientific and technical principles underlying the generation of solar power and renewable heat, and the integration of renewable electricity and heat into a net-zero carbon energy system.
LO2 Critically appraise the potential of these renewable energy technologies and the strengths and weaknesses of various technologies with reference to selection, design, operation, R&D and economic and environmental impacts.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Project 1 Students investigate methods of providing low/zero carbon heat and electricity utilising Solar Power to a domestic dwelling and the implications of this for national energy supply infrastructure. 0 4000 100 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project 1

Reading List

Markvart T (Ed.) (2000) Solar electricity. 2nd ed., New York; Chichester: Wiley.

Freris and Infield (2008) Renewable energy in power systems. Wiley.

Gobson, D (2005) Geothermal power (New Ed.), [U.S.] : Smart Apple Media.

Duffie J & Beckman W (2013) Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes 4th Ed. John Wiley and Sons.

Peake, S., ed. (2018). Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press and Open University.

Bird J.O., 2014. Basic Engineering Mathematics, 6th ed. Routledge.

Mackay, D., 2009. Sustainable Energy without the hot air. UIT Cambridge.