Renewable Energy Principles
ELEN3004

Year 3, Sem 2 Core Enabling Knowledge and Skills Technical Competence Engineering Application Experience Personal and Professional Skills Practical and ‘Hands-on’ Experience Integrated Engagement with Professional Practice

Back
Code ELEN3004
Credits 25
Graduate Attributes

Introduction

This unit explores three major renewable energy technologies—solar, wind, and hydro—as well as one promising alternative energy source: hydrogen. Each topic begins by examining the fundamental characteristics of the original energy form, followed by a detailed look at the technologies used to convert it into electricity. A key objective of this unit is to equip you with the skills to design renewable energy solutions that align with client needs, while balancing technical feasibility, economic viability, and environmental sustainability. You will also gain hands-on experience with real-world renewable energy systems in the state-of-the-art Green Electric Energy Park—a world-class, paperless laboratory designed for remote access. This innovative facility reflects sustainability and safety-focused engineering principles, offering an immersive, future-ready learning environment.
Lecture 1 x 2 Hours Weekly 
Computer Laboratory 6 x 2 Hours Semester 
Tutorial 1 x 1 Hours Weekly 

Unit Learning Outcomes

  • 1 apply innovative design and evaluation methods to assess and professionally communicate the financial benefit of a grid-connected solar PV system in real-life applications, GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC6
  • 2 critically evaluate the performance of a grid-connected wind farm using probability concepts to build capability in wind system design, GC1, GC3, GC4, GC6
  • 3 critically evaluate the performance of micro-hydro power plants to supply energy to grid-connected and remote area consumers, GC1, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6
  • 4 analyse the performance of hydrogen-based electricity generation to examine the operation of fuel cell power plants, GC1, GC3, GC6
  • 5 collaboratively interpret experimental results and data collected from practical renewable energy systems, GC1, GC3, GC5, GC6
  • 6 communicate analysis outcomes in the form of professional written reports for a technical audience, GC3, GC6

Course Learning Outcomes

  • 1 Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of fundamental science, mathematics, data analytics, information science, and computing underpinning the broad field of engineering
  • 2 Solve complex electrical and electronic engineering problems of industrial and societal significance through the application of discipline-specific and integrated bodies of knowledge, design and sustainability principles
  • 4 Apply systems thinking for innovative solutions to global electrical and electronic engineering challenges, discern knowledge and undertake applied research in a discipline of electrical and electronic engineering
  • 6 Demonstrate lifelong learning habits, teamwork and leadership abilities, and project management skills, and the ability to identify opportunities for career-wide professional growth, necessary for advancing a career in engineering and beyond

Assessment Breakdown

Recent Unit Changes & Response to Student Feedback

Students are encouraged to provide feedback through student surveys (such as Insight and the annual Student Experience Survey) and interactions with teaching staff.

Listed below are some recent changes to the unit as a result of student feedback.

Based on recent feedback received, efforts will be made to improve the quality of laboratory experiments further. Lab supervisors will be closely trained and monitored. Unit coordinator will have regular training and monitoring sessions with lab supervisors. Furthermore, the correct performance of lab equipment will be tested through these sessions.