ENERGY 722 : Energy Technology

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

First and second laws of thermodynamics and thermodynamic cycles. Chemical and biological thermodynamics. Geotechnology for resource exploration and delineation. Engineering technology for production and use of oil and gas, coal, wind, geothermal, tidal, solar, nuclear, bio-fuels. Energy storage, batteries, fuel cells. Energy efficiency.

Course Overview

The ENERGY 722 course aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of a range of energy technologies, and how they (technically) contribute to energy supply and demand. The course is compulsory for all Master of Energy students. Since students in the Master of Energy can enter with prior qualifications in Engineering, Science or Business, the ENERGY 722 course aims to give an overview of technical issues but will not necessarily cover full technical details of any technology with a large numbers of equations. At times industry experts are invited to give guest lectures to outline ‘real world’ applications and analysis. 

Students from other degree programs are also welcome. The ENERGY 721 ‘Resource & Energy Economics’ course compliments ENERGY 722 by outlining the economics and policy aspects related to the various energy markets and how they are influenced by technology (changes). They are recommended in conjunction. Together they should provide a solid basis for students to understand ‘the big picture’ after which they specialize by choosing a series of electives courses and related MEnergy projects.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Graduate Profile: Master of Energy

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand the fundamentals of energy and thermodynamics. (Capability 3.1)
  2. Develop a basic understanding of conventional and unconventional fossil fuel exploration and production. (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of wind resources and conversion and application to wind generation projects. (Capability 3.1 and 5.1)
  4. Understand the basis of geothermal resources and energy conversion. (Capability 3.1)
  5. Analyse critical aspects of solar energy and other renewables and their integration into existing and future electricity systems. (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  6. Apply systematic decision analysis and presentation tools to transport and energy challenges. (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 6.1)
  7. Identify relations between water and energy resources and challenges. (Capability 2.1 and 3.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 100% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Assignments

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures per week, as well as 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5 hours of work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities, but lectures will be available as recordings.  When necessary, the course will include (live) online events including group discussions/Q&As.  Other learning activities including tutorials/Q&As will not always be available as recordings. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

The lecturer for each topic/block will provide course notes and/or slides on Canvas, and provide details about other useful resources. 

Health & Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Students and representatives have given regular, positive feedback on the ENERGY 722 course. The 2023 course score was high (4.46 out of 5, against a University average of 4.14), but several improvements were suggested and taken into account: number and faster turn-around of assignment marking.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 14/11/2023 09:11 a.m.