Renewable Energy Technologies

Learners will develop an understanding of the consumption patterns and availability of fossil fuels in a national and global setting. Learners will be introduced to the nature and availability of solar radiation and develop a thorough knowledge of some solar technologies used to maximise the potential of this resource, including solar thermal and solar photovoltaic. Learners will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of wind energy generation and installation, as well as the fundamentals of heat pump design, operation, and installation.

1. Appreciate the drivers causing environmental change and associated environmental policy

2. Identify conventional energy resource availability and consumption trends.

3. Explain the fundamentals of solar radiation and the operation, installation and economics of associated energy transfer systems

4. Understand the fundamentals of wind energy and microscale wind turbine operation and installation

5. Critically evaluate the operation, installation and economics of heat pump and air conditioning systems

6. Apply building information modelling software to assess the performance and operation of solar, wind and heat pump systems.