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8) This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. Evidence must show that knowledge has been acquired of safe working practices and developing engineering solutions to renewable energy problems. All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies. |
KS01-EK140A | Renewable Energy Engineering |
| Evidence shall show an understanding of renewable energy engineering problem solving to an extent indicated by the following aspects: |
| T1 Energy and humanity encompassing: Need for energy and relationship between energy usage and standard of living Energy conversion - typical processes and efficiencies Sources of energy Solar energy - direct heating, photosynthesis, solar cells, power tower, hydrogen for solar energy, ocean thermal energy collector, solar ponds, wind and wave energy, hydro-electric power Geothermal energy Tidal energy Nuclear energy - fission and fusion, burner and breeder reactors Stored fuel reserves Fuel conservation - reduction in wastage, recycling, greater usage efficiency and use of waste heat Thermodynamics |
| T2 Basic Concepts encompassing: Nature of matter - atoms, molecules, inter-molecular forces, molecular motion, states of matter Mass and conservation of mass principle Volume, density, specific volume, relative density Force, weight, pressure (atmospheric, gauge and absolute) Temperature (Celsius and Kelvin) Systems and black box analysis Reciprocating piston and cylinder mechanism – pressure ratio and compression ratio |
| T3 Energy encompassing: Definition and principles Potential energy Kinetic energy Work (linear and rotational), constant and variable force, relationship to pressure and volume change Power (linear and rotational) Sensible heat - specific heat capacity (constant pressure and constant volume) Latent heat Chemical energy - energy content of a fuel Internal energy |
| T4 Energy transfer in closed and open systems encompassing: Definition of a closed system Calorimetry as an example of a closed system (with or without phase change) Thermodynamics 1 Non-flow energy equation - typical applications such as stirring with simultaneous heating or cooling Definition of an open system Mass and volume flow rate and continuity equation Steady flow energy equation (negligible change in kinetic or potential energy) leading to the concept of enthalpy - typical applications such as turbines, compressors, boilers and heat exchangers. |
| T5 Gases encompassing: Definition of a perfect or ideal gas in terms of the molecular model General gas equation Characteristic gas equation (equation of state) Constant pressure process Constant volume process Isothermal process Polytropic process Adiabatic process |
| T6 Heat engines encompassing: Definition of a heat engine Essentials of a heat engine - heat source, heat sink, working substance, mechanical power output, working cycle Energy balance for a heat engine (as a black box) and efficiency Maximum possible efficiency (Carnot efficiency) Types of heat engines according to working substance, heat source, mechanical arrangement and working cycle Typical practical cycles - Stirling, Otto, Diesel, dual, two stroke (spark and compression ignition. Joule cycle. Thermodynamics 1 |
| T7 Heat engine performance encompassing: Measurement of torque and power output - rope brake, shoe brake, hydraulic dynamometer, electric dynamometer Heat supply rate, efficiency, specific fuel consumption Measurement of indicated power - mechanical indicator, electric/electronic indicator, Morse test Friction power, mechanical efficiency, indicated thermal efficiency Volumetric efficiency Energy balance Performance curves - variable load constant speed, variable speed constant throttle setting. |
| T8 Structure of the existing generation, transmission and distribution system |
| T9 Benefits, issues and impacts |
| T10 Distributed generation technologies |
| T11 Electrical power distribution systems operation encompassing: Electrical characteristics of feeders Causes of voltage problems in a power distribution system Voltage regulation limits Calculations for feeder voltage drops Methods of voltage control Fault types, causes and effects Determination of fault levels Fault level limitation |
| T12 Protection and relaying encompassing: Protection system purpose and features Application of protection in a distribution network Protection system terminology Feeder protection systems |
| T13 Distributed generation issues encompassing: Utility requirements for interconnection Safety of personnel Islanding Grid Stability Voltage regulation Potential benefits of DG Limitations in design of distribution circuits (designed for 1-way operation) Match between supply and demand Operation: dispatchable and non-dispatchable supplies Factors affecting the sizing of distributed generation Use of energy storage Case studies |
| T14 Renewable energy supplies issues encompassing: Limits to penetration Factors affecting the value of renewables on the grid Implications of renewable input on power system operation Connection of energy systems via inverters: AS 4777 |
| T15 Factors affecting the uptake of distributed generation encompassing: Institutional factors Regulatory factors Policy including mandated targets Green power market Financial issues Contractual issues Case studies |