Overview

This unit of study aims to introduce students to the underlying fundamentals as well as application of various renewable and hydrogen-based energy technologies. These will be focused on solar thermal, photovoltaic, wave energy, wind energy and hydrogen production and tech principles; as well as the design of these energy systems. The unit will also equip students with engineering management principle providing the basis for the design of the energy system.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-March-2026
31-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
15-March-2026
Census date
31-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
21-April-2026
Results released date
07-July-2026
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
01-March-2027
30-May-2027
Last self-enrolment date
14-March-2027
Census date
30-March-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
20-April-2027
Results released date
06-July-2027

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Understand the astrophysical and geophysical factors affecting the calculation of renewable energy resources (K1,K3)
  • Calculate the output of renewable energy systems driven by geophysical fluid flows (such as wind and waves) (K1, K2, K3, S1)
  • Describe and analyse how solar thermal and photovoltaic electricity systems work including the major costs issues (K1, K3, K4)
  • Analyse the thermodynamics of using solar thermal for industrial applications (K1, K3, S2)
  • Evaluate hydrogen energy storage and distribution methods and develop a technoeconomic assessment of selected energy storage system (K1, K3, K4, S1, S3)
  • Identify energy market, marketing aspects of energy, and generate a business opportunity idea in energy sector (A2, A3, A7, K4)
  • Discuss the supply and demand relationship in energy sector (K3 , S1)
  • Analyse and interpret business performance in energy sector; including apply related optimisation methods (A3, A4, A6, A7, K2, K6, S2, S3, S4)

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-Campus
Lecture		 3.00  12 weeks  36
On-Campus
Class		 1.00  12 weeks  12
On-Campus
Workshop		 1.00  12 weeks  12
Unspecified Learning Activities
Independent Learning		 7.50  12 weeks  90
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Test Individual  10 - 20%  1,2 
Test Individual  10 - 20%  3,4 
Test Individual  10 - 20%  6,7,8 
Project Individual/Group  40 - 60%  5,6,8 

Content

  • Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic
  • Wind and Wave Energy
  • Hydrogen Production and Technologies
  • Design of Energy System
  • Engineering Management Principle (economics, business, entrepreneurship) to support Design of Energy System

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.