F1IE 4405 - System Integration of Renewable Electricity Sources

The power sector is to play a key role in a cost-effective transition to a low-carbon economy. This course aims at empowering students with a good understanding of technical and economic challenges, as well as solutions.The first part of this course focuses on the basics of mature and emerging technologies, so as to apprehend the nature of their costs (current level and expected trends). Special emphasis is put on onshore and offshore wind, solar PV, and storage technologies (including hydrogen).

The second part of the course focuses on system integration of these technologies: main technical prerequisites of a transformed power system; viable business cases in such power systems.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify and discuss the main technical features of different electricity generation technologies
• Evaluate and justify the main design choices of a renewable energy business case
• Understand the main challenges of renewables integration into power systems

Professional Skills:

Critical thinking; Team Work; Oral and written communication

Basic knowledge about main support schemes for renewables is expected. Homework will be provided so that student can catch up with these requirements.

• General feedback on individual case studies and assessments will be provided during lectures / detailed feedback will be provided to students
• Group case studies will be discussed in class and detailed feedback on reports will then be sent to students

(i) 15% : Individual Case-study : designing an auction scheme as a policy maker

(ii) 30% : Group case study followed by class discussion : designing a solar PV or offshore wind farm project

(iii) 25% : Group case study: technology consultancy case study

(iv) 25% : Individual assessment – 2-page briefing note

(iv) 5% : Class participation

• In Class Presence: 4 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Online learning activities: 8 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 5 hours a week / 40 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 70 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 8 hours a semester