The aim of this course is to introduce available or projected technologies available to generate energy or electricity from renewable resources and to place these technologies in the context of environmental, political, and economical constraints.

Topic 1: Survey of current energy generation, projected demand, political targets; Introduction to range of discussed technologies
Topic 2: Bio energy (solid biomass, biofuels, biogas)
Topic 3: Solar energy; Radiation, Solar Thermal, Photovoltaics
Topic 4: Large- and small scale Hydro power
Topic 5: Wind energy
Topic 6: Ocean energy: Wave power, ocean/tidal currents and tidal barrages
Topic 7: Geothermal energy

This course covers the operation of interconnected electrical power systems. Such interconnected power systems combine a number of different components, generators, transmission lines, transformers and motors, which must be appreciated to understand the operation of the interconnected system.

• Single Phase and three Phase AC Analysis
• Power Transformers
• The A.C. Synchronous Generator
• The Polyphase Induction Motor
• Transmission Lines and Cables
• Systems Calculations and the Per Unit Method
• Power Fault Calculations
• Load Flow

The course covers material related to:

– Topic 1: Reliability of distributed schemes and how to describe them (Reliability of distributed schemes and mathematical and statistical models to describe it)
– Topic 2: Virtual Power Plants (Integration of intermittent renewable energy resources using Virtual Power Plants. Technical vs. commercial VPP concepts)
– Topic 3: Constrained Distribution networks (Pricing and optimising the usage of distribution and transmission infrastructure. Locational marginal pricing)
– Topic 4: Energy Storage techniques (Electrical (battery storage), pumped hydro, thermal etc. Monitoring, sizing and optimisation of storage in a microgrid; new developments and storage concepts)
– Topic 5: Smart meters (Smart metering rollout; challenges, opportunities for network monitoring and data privacy issues)
– Topic 6: Control systems for DG (Blockchains and distributed ledgers in energy systems. Distributed control using blockchain methods)
– Topic 7: DG scheme economics and security (Formulation and definition of cost functions, influence of policy and dependency on SMAG domains and yones)
– Topic 8: Active network and distributed generation (Application of DG to electrical energy networks depending on size and structuring (picogrids, microgrids, smart grids)

This course content is related with:

• Planning a research / development project
• Defining measurable and realistic aims; planning the structure of your project; time-management; defining a reporting / review schedule; milestone setting; writing a Gantt chart
• Preparing for review meetings; communication skills; reviewing and evaluating your progress and results; keeping a record of your progress
• Background research
• Carrying out a literature review; electronic bibliographic databases; online journals; using the library; how to reference other work
• Academic writing
• Writing techniques; plagiarism and how to avoid it; structuring a dissertation; reviewing your own writing
• Data analysis and presentation
• Statistical techniques including regression and error analysis; recommended software; examples of good and bad practice; effective presentation of data

Drawing on the latest developments and emerging practices, this course aims to develop knowledge and skills that differentiate between the management of projects, programmes and portfolios.  Students will develop the ability to translate business strategy into projects and examine the relationship between the pipeline of requirements for expansion of a business and how it should best relate to the portfolio of strategic projects.

Description:

• Defining strategic project management
• Strategy and Projects
• The strategic hierarchy of projects
• Project Portfolio Management
• Value Management
• Project Programme Management
• Programme Organisation and Governance
• Benefits Management
• Programme and Project Maturity

The course aims to provide the students with an overview of current energy production and consumption, extraction and conversion technologies, environmental impact of energy consumption, policies, and current energy debates and to provide them with fundamental skills to analyse energy systems quantitatively. The course introduces the students to the concepts of energy, the chain of Energy generation, distribution, and consumption, together with placing energy into the wider context of the environment, economics, and public and private life.

This course introduces students to the core concepts and methods of modern economics, and environmental and energy economics in particular – Core concepts of economic analysis: scarcity, incentives, markets, competition, price theory, producers and consumers, externalities, natural resources, discounting – Core concepts of energy and natural resource economics: renewable and non-renewable resources, energy markets, energy networks and demand, regulation. – Core concepts of environmental economics: externalities, pollution, Pigovian taxation, permits, standards – Applications to carbon emissions and fossil/renewable fuels: carbon taxes; cap-and-trade; climate change; and other applications.

The course will consist of a series of excursions and field trips to familiarise the students with the local culture, local populace and regional significant places and monuments.

The aim of this course is to introduce students to high voltage phenomena and high voltage techniques, and to develop their skills to apply the basics of high voltage phenomena to practical applications. The students will develop a critical understanding of the fundamentals of High Voltage Engineering. The course has three main components. First, the students will be introduced to electric field theory and stress control. Next, the course will focus on instrumental for generation and measurement of high voltages. Finally, the course will deal on insulating materials, their properties and applications.

Description:

• Electrical Field Theory and High Voltage Structure Design (Electric Stress and Electric Strength, Field Theory, Electric Field Estimation and The Design of a Bushing)
• Generation of High Voltages (Equipment for High Direct Voltages, Generation of High A.C. Voltages and High Voltage Impulses)
• Measurement of High Voltages (High Voltage Measurement Techniques, Measurement with Sphere Gaps, Electrostatic Voltmeter, Peak Value Measurements, Voltage Measurements from Transformation Ratios, Voltage Dividers)
• Electrical Insulating Materials & Breakdown Theory (Electrical Properties,Solids as Insulators, Breakdown in Solid Insulation, Insulating Liquids, Electrical Discharge in Gases, Townsend’s Theory of Ionisation Growth, Paschen’s Law, The Use of Gas as Insulation, Vacuum Breakdown)
• Applications of Electrical Insulating Materials (The Insulation of HV Cables, Overhead Line Insulators, Insulation in Transformers, Insulation in H.V. Circuit Breakers, Rotating Plant Insulation)
• Lightning and Switching Overvoltage Protection (Atmospheric Electricity, Switching Surges and Power Frequency Overvoltages in Power Systems, Surge Propagation, Surges and Insulation Co-ordination)