GEOTHERM 620 : Geothermal Engineering
Engineering
2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse Geothermal well test analysis during drilling and after well completion, with all the methods used for well discharge stimulation and assessment of power output and the best practices to ensure the sustainable use of the resources while addressing the long term social and environmental impact. (Capability 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Apply Geothermal flow measurements for both single and two-phase geothermal fluid flow. Geothermal flow measurements are key for addressing the legal requirement by the developers and to the sustainable and safe use of geothermal energy. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.1)
- Apply Two-phase flow in geothermal wells and above-ground facility. The key challenge is the safe operation of the workers and above ground geothermal equipment. (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1 and 7.1)
- Evaluate Geothermal power plant design and optimisation. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
- Demonstrate an understanding of Geothermal reservoir modelling and the numerical tools used to develop and calibrate natural state and production models. This is a key legal requirement under the New Zealand RMA and to insure the sustainability of the geothermal resource. (Capability 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
- Identify Develop an understanding of the geotechnical aspects of geothermal development and their impact during the construction civil work on geothermal sites with focus on slop stability for the health and safety of staff. Site preparations can also impact the natural environment. Therefor soil disposal is carried out to insure no cultural or environmental impact. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 and 8.2)
- Explain Scaling and corrosion in the geothermal facility and the challenges of the working geothermal fluid and methods of managing the different types of scale. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
- Critically evaluate Direct use of geothermal energy and how to match the load with the geothermal well output. (Capability 3.2, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Test | 60% | Individual Test |
| 2 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Test | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a block-structured 15-point course and students are expected to spend on average 20 hours per week over the 6 weeks duration of the course.
For this course, you can expect 40 hours of lectures, 20-25 hours of tutorial, 40 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 50 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including lectures, tutorials and field trips to complete components of the course,
Lectures and tutorials will be available as recordings. However, field activities will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the tests.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery.
This course runs over weeks 8 to 13 of semester 2.
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.
Health & Safety
Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.
There are four days of field activity, which requires extensive preparations and the development of a detailed Health and Safety management plant. PPE gear will be provided to the students. The students are also advised (before starting the course) to bring personal safety boots, warm and wet weather gear.
In preparations for the field trip, Students should declare (in Confidence to the program director) any outlining health issues.
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.
The course was very well received by the students. The overall SET evaluation summary score for 2023 is: 4.94/5
Most positive feedback:
The geothermal engineering course provided comprehensive insights into various aspects of geothermal energy utilisation, including direct applications of geothermal sources, an in–depth exploration of power plant operations, and a thorough technical assessment of geothermal power plant viability. The field trip offered a captivating and informative experience. At the same time, the assignments were particularly valuable as they covered fundamental concepts and proved highly practical for real-world applications in the field.
Most negative feedback:
Scheduling my self–study. If this course is longer, it might help to have more self–studying time and achieve highly efficient study.
We always strive to improve the course delivery and the student experience. The lecture material will be updated and the workload across the different assignment will be balanced.
Other Information
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.