Energy Engineering MEng (Hons)

Explore aspects of energy use including energy sources, energy generation, transportation, private and industrial consumption, and how transition to clean energy is the main driver behind energy policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and achieving net zero economies. You gain an overview of global and regional renewable energy landscapes, the evolution of renewable energy cost compared to fossil fuels, and the socio-economic footprint of the energy transitions.

You also learn the fundamentals of how cutting-edge technologies (industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, internet of things, immersive technologies) are adopted by industry in the transition to sustainable manufacturing and industrial processes.

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of electrical circuit theory and how to apply it to analyse simple electric circuits. The module will also introduce you to electromagnetic energy conversion and AC power.

The module is taught with lectures, seminars and related practical work. Your lectures will provide an explanation of principles and discussion of applications. Practical sessions will provide you an opportunity to develop practical skills through the use of laboratory setups that reinforce the lecture material.

This module introduces the range of mathematical skills that are relevant to an engineering degree. You revisit and develop your knowledge of the fundamentals of algebra, trigonometry and basic statistics. The central ideas of vectors, matrices, complex numbers, and differential and integral calculus are also examined.

Throughout the module you develop a range of mathematical skills and techniques fundamental to the solution of engineering problems. You also advance your skills in selecting and applying mathematical techniques.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorial sessions.

You develop and enhance the practical, professional and electrical engineering skills necessary for success in both the academic and work environment. There is a significant practical element which enables you to develop your knowledge, confidence and the fundamental principles of electrical engineering design methods and laboratory practice. You are also introduced to the skills required to improve opportunities in career selection and development through exposure to a range of on-campus services and external professional bodies.

The practical sessions include: health and safety, equipment selection, component selection, circuit construction, measuring instruments, testing and fault diagnosis.

You look at engineering materials in lab-based practical sessions. Fundamental relationships between processing, structure, properties and performance are explored to highlight factors which influence the suitability of materials for various engineering applications.

This module introduces the student to the basic principles of fluid mechanics, properties of fluids, hydrostatics, continuity equation, Bernoulli's equation, flow measurements, real flow in pipes, friction losses and momentum equation. It deals with the transfer of heat, energy for solids, liquids and gases. It explores the various mechanisms for this heat transfer and laws of thermodynamics, quantifies these mechanisms and applies them to mechanical systems, principally engines and compressors.

You develop mathematical knowledge in differential equations and numerical methods and extend your base of techniques to solve a variety of problems which arise in engineering domains. The emphasis is on developing competence in the identification of the most appropriate method to solve a given problem and its subsequent application.

Explore computer aided design techniques used to analyse the thermal performance of a commercial building, including detailed consideration of the building façade in association with the effects of thermal mass, passive solar control and variations in casual heat gain.

You cover key areas, including computer-aided decision making in energy planning, considering methods and tools, environmental impact, legislation, and social implications. Explore meteorological systems, weather monitoring and forecasting, tidal systems and predictions, marine geography and hydrography, maritime, coastal and on-shore environmental issues. Develop basic project management skills by working on case studies in planning and implementing energy projects.

Study the latest innovations in the hydrogen economy, including how it is produced, and its many applications in transportation and electricity generation. You learn about grey, blue and green hydrogen and how it can be used in cars, houses, for portable power and more.

In this module, you develop your skills and knowledge in applying 3-D solid modelling and surface modelling to product design, using industry standard software. You gain a thorough understanding of computer modeling, and how to apply these skills to design engineering components and products.

You model parts with flat and cylindrical type surfaces, as well as those with more complex curved surfaces. The ability to obtain the mass and other properties of models and create orthographic drawings from 3D models will be covered.

You gain a thorough understanding of both static and dynamic hierarchical assemblies and their value to industry, and learn how to produce ‘Bill of Materials’, undertake clearance and interference checks on mating parts, and Tolerance Analysis.

You acquire the ability to animate dynamic assemblies; you create joints and mechanisms to solve for kinematic motions, and you learn how to structure the models effectively and modify them as appropriate.

Explore the basic features, systems, components, advantages and challenges of renewable energy including solar, geothermal, wind and tidal. You also look at the fundamental engineering and physical principles of each system.

Solar energy – explore photovoltaic cells, concentrated solar power systems (such as parabolic troughs), domestic scale water heating systems and solar energy tracking systems.

Geothermal energy –develop your knowledge of geothermal technologies and heat energy recovery through geothermal systems. You learn the fundamentals of geothermal heat pump systems for heating houses and systems for production of geothermal energy such as dry steam, flash and binary.

Wind power –gain insight into how energy is harvested from wind, the fundamental mechanical systems and electrical systems in wind turbines, and how these convert energy into electricity. You also explore the processes behind determining the positioning of wind turbines for maximum power output.

Tidal energy – explore the systems, advantages and disadvantages of tidal renewable energy systems.

Develop an understanding of power system engineering, including operation, design and economics of power generation, transmission and distribution systems, and power storage systems.

This module extends the development of independent learning skills by allowing the student to investigate an area of engineering for an extended period. The student will work independently or in a small team, but will produce individual work.

Training will be given in writing technical reports for knowledgeable readers and the student will produce a report/dissertation of the work covered. In addition, the student will give an oral presentation, poster presentation or both. The topic can be in the form of a research project or a design project. Key skills in research, knowledge application and creation will be developed through keynote lectures and self-managed independent study.

You study life cycle analysis (LCA) methodologies for energy and industrial processes, exploring the impact of industrial and human activities on the environment, and the need for a sustainable approach to future developments. You explore the conversion of fuels to useful energy, energy production from renewable sources, infrastructure construction, extraction and transportation of fuel, and distribution of energy from source to consumer. And consider sustainable remediation strategies for air, water and land pollution, and alternative fuel and energy technologies towards zero carbon emission.

The demand for energy – to run electrical devices, heat and cool buildings, and maintain industry – continues to grow and places considerable strain on the natural environment. The pressures of supporting economic growth, while seeking to minimise our environmental impact, has driven the research and development of new sources of energy.

You gain the knowledge and skills to implement suitable alternative energy technologies and understand their economic, social and environmental benefits within a broader context.

You cover energy systems, solar power systems, energy conservation, passive solar heating, wind energy, ocean energy technologies, hydro and micro-hydro turbines, geothermal energy, air pollution abatement, carbon dioxide sequestration and carbon trading economics.

The emergence of Industry 4.0, often referred to as the fourth industrial revolution, has been attributed to advancing automation, decentralisation and system integration and cloud computing. In the cyber-physical environment, machines can communicate, collect information, and make informed decisions through artificial intelligence (AI), big data and industrial internet of things (IIoT). The evolution of Industry 4.0 has great potential to improve the energy, equipment, and human behaviour. At the same time, in the era of the so-called circular economy, industry across all sectors is under huge pressure to make their manufacturing operations ethical and sustainable. Therefore, we must learn to adopt or implement the latest Industry 4.0 technologies.

The term sustainability has a multi-disciplinary use and meaning. As future engineers you will learn sustainability is represented as the synergy between environment, economics, and society. In this module students specialising in Sustainable Systems and Industry 4.0 will focus their studies and deepen their knowledge in a range of sustainability themes such as energy management and power systems, sustainable water and wastewater systems, sustainable transportation technologies, transitions to sustainable food systems and mechanical manufacturing systems.

The subjects will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will develop key concepts and knowledge. Seminars will allow more focused examinations of important issues and approaches

You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.

You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.

Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:

· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.

If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.

Circular economy is an economic model that invites businesses, cities and countries to transform their approach to the use of materials and energy, and build a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design. It is an interdisciplinary arena embracing physical, social sciences and manufacture. You explore key topics relating to the practical applications of circular economy and examine approaches to solving challenges for achieving circular economy and environmental sustainability.

This module extends the development of independent learning skills by allowing the student to investigate an area of engineering for an extended period. The student will work independently or in a small team, but will produce individual work.

Training will be given in writing technical reports for knowledgeable readers and the student will produce a report/dissertation of the work covered. In addition, the student will give an oral presentation, poster presentation or both. The topic can be in the form of a research project or a design project. Key skills in research, knowledge application and creation will be developed through keynote lectures and self-managed independent study.

The module provides students with in-depth knowledge of the theory and principles of renewable energy technologies used for electricity generation. The module focuses on the principles, design, operation and grid connected applications of wind and photovoltaic technologies, and contrasts these with conventional power systems, such as coal and gas. The module will inform the student of current practices and technological advances in the field of renewables and will provide an opportunity to develop computing and practical skills related to this area.

You learn about the importance of smart grids in providing a flexible system for the distribution of electrical power which responds to mixed modes of generation in addition to maintaining a reliable supply of energy to consumers. The impact on existing networks and future developmental opportunities are considered alongside automation and control requirements, which provide a ‘smart’ network.

Mathematical modelling of power flow is demonstrated together with methods of designing infrastructure which can support energy flow whilst providing secure real time data for network control. You use computer software to develop models of typical power systems and simulate their response under defined conditions.

This is a 20-credit module.

You explore the methods and technologies used to transport and accumulate hydrogen, and analyse the introduction of the hydrogen vector in the energy sector, paying attention to end use devices, for example fuel cells. You develop your knowledge of recent technologies relating to hydrogen, analyse real-world case studies, and explore the calculation codes for the measurement and testing of the performance of fuel cells.

Built infrastructure consumes large amounts of energy, carbon and water, and produces pollution and waste during construction and operation. Sustainable design through green approaches can reduce environmental impacts substantially, decrease carbon dioxide emissions and reduce embodied carbon. You examine the design, construction and operation of zero carbon built infrastructure. Lectures develop key concepts and knowledge, seminars allow more focused examinations of important issues and approaches, and IT lab sessions develop your skills in using life cycle analysis software.