Renewable Energy BSc (Hons)

In Year two, topics become more specialised and you will be introduced to a variety of topics such as Project Management and Climate Change. Field skills and research skills are cultivated further, with a keen eye on the energy dissertation in Year three.

Modules

• Climate Change – 20 credits

  Climate change is viewed by many as the most pressing issue facing the world today. In this module you will learn about the science and impacts of climate change, as well as strategies to mitigate or adapt to the problem, thus enabling you to develop your own critical opinion of the subject. We will explore the structure of the atmosphere in terms of natural and enhanced greenhouse states and discuss natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change. You will discover the effects that a changing climate has on global societies and on earth systems, such as the biosphere. We will also discuss what can be done about the problem by reviewing mitigation and adaptation strategies and examining the effectiveness of national and international climate change policies.

  This module has relevance to all UN Sustainable Development Goals, as climate change directly impacts poverty (SDG1), hunger (SDG2) and health (SDG3), especially in non-OECD countries, as well as terrestrial (SDG15) and aquatic (SDG14) ecosystems. It also considers the future role of clean energy (SDG7), economic growth (SDG8) and infrastructure (SDG9) within the auspices of climate action.

  Compulsory

• Renewable Energy Systems – 20 credits

  This Module explores the key technologies that are expected to power our future global energy system, namely onshore wind, solar PV, and bioenergy. You will learn about these resources, and how these can be converted into 'useful' energy, and what their current and projected costs are.

  The Module will also give you more information and a greater understanding about other mature renewable and low-carbon technologies (in the case of hydroelectric and geothermal), emerging and developing energy sources (incl. wave, tidal, ocean thermal, etc.) and energy storage systems. This will allow you to develop skills used in research, as informed by the research experience of the Module staff. This module contributes towards the following SDGs: 7 and 13.

  Compulsory

• Health and Safety in the Energy Sector – 20 credits

  Health and Safety (H&S) considerations have become a critical component of management systems and strategies in various industries and organisations across the globe. Health & Safety in the Energy Sector will focus on practical management skills, and how you can use and apply these to ensure that work is carried out safely and without risk. The module is therefore designed for anyone working in any sector or country but with reference to the renewable energy sector.

  The module is structured in line with the institute of Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH) syllabus on Managing Safety.

  Compulsory

• Energy Project Management with EIA - 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to provide you with the ability to apply a range of techniques to the management of projects and systems in the energy industry. The module introduces the key issues and language involved in managing projects by exploring project management tools, techniques and terminology.

  This module will explore the role of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a process for identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the environmental impacts of energy developments prior to major construction decisions being taken. An introduction to the development of EIA and the current legislative requirements are followed by an examination of risk and impact assessment methods, and data sources. The module will develop skills and the processes required to predict significant environmental impacts and propose mitigation measures and plans to implement them. 

  Compulsory

• Fieldwork and Research Applications – 20 credits

  This aim of this module is to further develop your research methods and skills for geography, energy and disaster management students, specifically focussing on the skills and understanding necessary to undertake a final year research project. The module is designed to challenge you to think critically, independently and work as part of a team. You will look to develop key research and practical fieldwork skills necessary for collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data. We will explain the components of a good project and provide opportunities to practise the required skills. In addition, the residential field trip² will provide further opportunities to gain experience of research and fieldwork methods and techniques. The module will support you in making an informed decision about the proposed topic of their final year project.

  Compulsory

• Sustainable Environments in Society: Developing Solutions – 20 credits

  In this module, you will undertake a critical analysis of a specified location and associated project that has been influenced by the United Nation's (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Your analysis of the project will explore the impact, success or failure alongside possible solutions that will be fundamental to the positive future development of the location.

  You will research, appraise, critique, develop and then communicate to a wider audience the impact and implementation of the identified SDGs for the location/ project. The focus of the review will be linked to your academic discipline within the Built and Natural Environment and draw upon prior learning from your previous cognate knowledge.

  A global approach is needed for the UN SDGs to be fully realised and your place in this as an actor on the international stage will be enhanced, alongside the development of your inter-cultural competencies.

  Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee³ of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depending on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student. Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year.

Modules

• UK Work Placement– 0 credits

  This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  Optional

• International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

  This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  Optional

In the final year, you have the opportunity to explore Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and Negative Emission Technologies (NETs), a topic that has a global application. The project forms an important component at this level, requiring detailed knowledge of the skills that have been acquired at levels 4 and 5 and, in some cases, from a year in industry too. The international field trip² is also the culmination of the learning of field skills that have been acquired in previous years.

Modules

• Renewable Energy Research Proposal – 20 credits

  This module is aimed at using different research methods and research skills to effectively communicate research novelties and ideas to the scientific and non-academic communities. It provides a background in research practice and helps students to understand various methodologies, and develop the skills of reading, reviewing, and critiquing academic literature in their related disciplines and to enable students to carry out research-oriented tasks (REL). It introduces academic research pertaining to renewable energy profession and associated skills, providing a sound academic background for the research dissertation module and for undertaking high calibre consultancy work when employed in industry.

  Compulsory

• CCUS and Negative Emission Technologies – 20 credits

  To have a chance of limiting warming below 1.5°C, most recent scenarios from integrated assessment models (IAMs) require large-scale deployment of negative emissions technologies (NETs). These are technologies that result in the net removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.  This module will first provide an up-to-date status report of the global carbon budget and the role of NETs in meeting climate targets. This is followed by a technological overview of each of the various NETs. The module also explores how we quantify the potential global impacts of the different NETs on various factors to determine the biophysical limits to, and economic costs of, their widespread application.

  Compulsory

• Renewable Heating/Cooling – 20 credits

  Around one third of global primary energy consumption is used for space and process heating/cooling. This module examines the challenges of decarbonising this vital component of the global energy sector and you will learn how better energy management measures and renewable energy technologies can be deployed to meet this challenge. The largest proportion of this consumption is used for providing thermal comfort within our buildings (space heating/cooling). 

  We will explore together how this might change depending upon local climate and how careful building design and adaptation can firstly reduce heating demand, before then exploring the options for renewable provision. This includes technologies such as air/ground/sea/lake sourced heat pumps, district heating and other renewable sourced heat sources. You will also review renewable options for process heat in the domestic sectors (water heating and cooking) and industrial sectors (low-medium-high temperature processes).

  Compulsory

• Renewable Transport – 20 credits

  The transport sector (with the exception of freight and heavy-duty vehicles) is more amenable to decarbonisation than other sectors of the global economy. Transport therefore poses one of the most difficult and emotive challenges to energy system decarbonisation. Through studying this Module, you will take a detailed look at the global transport sector by an examination of the various transport modes and their outlook in light of the transition to a decarbonised world.   

  One of the key themes that you will learn on this module is how the transition to decarbonised transport within the wider energy sector will be increasingly influenced by electrification and the commercialisation of hydrogen as a transport fuel.  You will use case studies and your own research on evolving fuel technology to demonstrate your understanding of the progress towards sector-wide improvements in transport sustainability. 

  Compulsory

• Research Dissertation – 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to enable you to develop your research skills by conducting primary or secondary research focused on a specific problem of relevance to your discipline. You would use different methods and research skills, gained over previous years of study, to effectively communicate research novelties and ideas to the academic and non-academic communities. It will enable you to understand the importance of correct and critical analysis of all the factors involved in a problem and develop your initiative as you pursue and execute the investigation, demonstrating originality and creativity.

  Compulsory

• Global and Comparative Field Studies – 20 credits

  This module aims to introduce you to critical thought and methods as applied in an overseas field location². The module will extend your fieldwork skills and your grasp of contemporary methodologies and techniques. Emphasis in the classroom, and the field, is placed on experiential learning whilst also ensuring the continuation of transferable field and academic skills development. Experiences and skills that will be developed include undertaking research in the field; making observations, collecting and collating data; critically debating previous research, taking responsibility for one’s own learning though individual- and teamwork and formulating hazard and risk assessments for fieldwork.

  Compulsory