School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to Energy and Resource Engineering
  • Unit Code

    ENS1180
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Alireza KESHAVARZ

Description

This unit provides an introduction to the concepts of energy and resources, including resource estimation and extraction, and the conversion and use of energy resources for supporting domestic, commercial and industrial needs. The units covers principles of sustainable energy and resource use, energy sources, resource extraction and energy conversion, transmission and utilisation; and the associated economic costs and benefits, and environmental impacts. The design of simple energy systems is introduced together with their all-of-life costs and benefits using computer-based modelling tools.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Explain resource estimation methods and the process for engineering feasibility studies, including financial modelling.
  2. Describe methods for energy and mineral resource extraction and discuss relevant environmental and sustainability factors.
  3. Identify and describe the different energy sources and types used by households, industry and commerce.
  4. Estimate the efficiency and efficacy of energy conversion processes and discuss how these relate to sustainable engineering practice.
  5. Apply software tools to model designs for simple energy systems and perform all-of-life cost analyses including environmental impacts.

Unit Content

  1. Energy and resources – energy resources vs mineral resources; exploration; resource estimation and modelling; feasibility studies.
  2. Fossil fuels – formation/origins; efficiency and efficacy; environmental impacts; petroleum economics.
  3. Rocks, Minerals and Minerology – mineral resources; chemical and physical properties of minerals; overview of the main rock forming minerals.
  4. Petroleum geology – geologic history of the Earth; rocks and formations; sedimentary basins and traps; hydrocarbon reservoirs; recovery factor.
  5. Energy in society – definitions; types of energy; measurement; work and power; uses of energy; energy conversions and cycles; economics of energy; environmental impacts.
  6. Energy conservation and conversion – conservation of energy; first law of thermodynamics; conversion of energy and quality of energy; second law of thermodynamics.
  7. Renewable energy resources – solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, hydro, biomass; capture and conversion; efficiency and efficacy; environmental impacts.
  8. Energy life cycle analysis – energy life cycle; economic assessment; environmental assessment; modelling.
  9. Future of energy – global oil and gas production and consumption; resources and reserves; Goldilocks policy for energy transition; new technologies: storage, conversion, consumption, economics, environmental constraints.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will be delivered in a project based mode, with lecture content supplemented by ongoing group based project activities to support active knowledge and skill development, as well as by laboratory activities to support core analytical skill development.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory WorkLaboratory work and reports15%
ExerciseFeasibility study exercise20%
ProjectModelling and design group project50%
PortfolioPortfolio of completed work and competencies demonstrated15%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseModelling exercises15%
ExerciseFeasibility study exercise20%
ProjectModelling and design group project50%
PortfolioPortfolio of completed work and competencies demonstrated15%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS1180|1|1

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to Energy and Resource Engineering
  • Unit Code

    ENS1180
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Abdellah SHAFIEIAN DASTJERDI

Description

This unit provides an introduction to the concepts of energy and resources, including resource estimation and extraction, and the conversion and use of energy resources for supporting domestic, commercial and industrial needs. The units covers principles of sustainable energy and resource use, energy sources, resource extraction and energy conversion, transmission and utilisation; and the associated economic costs and benefits, and environmental impacts. The design of simple energy systems is introduced together with their all-of-life costs and benefits using computer-based modelling tools.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe methods for resource estimation, energy and mineral resource extraction and discuss relevant geological, environmental, and sustainability factors.
  2. Explain the principles of energy conservation and conversion and their relation to energy efficiency, including environmental and sustainability aspects.
  3. Estimate the efficiency and efficacy of energy production and conversion processes and discuss how these relate to sustainable engineering practice.
  4. Apply software tools to model designs for simple energy systems and perform all-of-life cost analyses including environmental impacts.
  5. Work collaboratively to conduct, compile and orally present an energy system design project.

Unit Content

  1. Energy and resources – energy resources vs mineral resources; exploration; resource estimation and modelling; feasibility studies.
  2. Fossil fuels – formation/origins; efficiency and efficacy; environmental impacts; petroleum economics.
  3. Rocks, Minerals and Minerology – mineral resources; chemical and physical properties of minerals; overview of the main rock forming minerals.
  4. Petroleum geology – geologic history of the Earth; rocks and formations; sedimentary basins and traps; hydrocarbon reservoirs; recovery factor.
  5. Energy in society – definitions; types of energy; measurement; work and power; uses of energy; energy conversions and cycles; economics of energy; environmental impacts.
  6. Energy conservation and conversion – conservation of energy; first law of thermodynamics; conversion of energy and quality of energy; second law of thermodynamics.
  7. Renewable energy resources – solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, hydro, biomass; capture and conversion; efficiency and efficacy; environmental impacts.
  8. Energy life cycle analysis – energy life cycle; economic assessment; environmental assessment; modelling.
  9. Future of energy – global oil and gas production and consumption; resources and reserves; Goldilocks policy for energy transition; new technologies: storage, conversion, consumption, economics, environmental constraints.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will be delivered in a project based mode, with lecture content supplemented by ongoing group based project activities to support active knowledge and skill development, as well as by laboratory activities to support core analytical skill development.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory WorkLaboratory work and reports15%
AssignmentFeasibility study 20%
ProjectModelling and design group project50%
Reflective PracticeReflection on future of energy sources 15%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseModelling exercises15%
AssignmentFeasibility study 20%
ProjectModelling and design group project50%
Reflective PracticeReflection on future of energy sources 15%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS1180|2|2