Module aims

This module reviews the motivating factors and aspirations for transforming the electricity system to a more sustainable form and provides an overview of the enabling technologies and system-level considerations. Knowledge of the basic operation of the low carbon energy technologies (such as wind, solar, hydro, heat networks etc.) and their impact on the system is provided. The planning, policy, operational and technology challenges posed by decarbonisation of the electric power sector are described in terms of the network integration of low carbon sources.

Learning outcomes

On successfully completing this module you should be able to:  

  1. Appraise the changes and challenges foreseen in a low to zero-carbon electric power system
  2. Recognise the limitations of current network planning and operation with high fractions of renewables
  3. Understand the basic operation of various low carbon technologies
  4. Analyse key features such as intermittency or resource dependency
  5. Calculate the energy yields from low-carbon sources

Module content

  1. Context, drivers and policy
  2. Sustainable energy technologies - Weather-dependent sustainable energy technologies (wind, solar, hydro) - Storage technologies and low carbon thermal technologies - Towards a decarbonized electric power system: Technology and policy challenges - Heat networks
  3. Network integration issues - Intermittency study: modelling of capacity credit, reserve and balancing - Technical Issues for Distributed Generation: modelling of voltage rise and power loss issues - Network Planning for Distributed Generation - Smart Grids

Module lead

Evangelia Spyrou

ECTS/FHEQ

5/7

Module code

ELEC70076

Host department

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Offered to

  • Bioengineering
  • Design Engineering
  • Earth Science & Engineering Y3&4
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering Y4&5

Term

Spring

Time slot

AM

Teaching weeks

1-10

August resit opportunity?

Yes

How to apply

Please follow the instructions under ‘Students from other departments’ section

Application deadline

TBC

Places available (approximate)

No cap

Criteria used for student selection

N/A

Further information

Module Catalogue