Sustainable Energy and Power Conversion

In this unit, you will explore how mechanical, electrical, and thermofluid systems integrate to enable efficient and sustainable power generation. You will analyse how energy is converted, transferred, and stored across technologies such as hydro, geothermal, and thermal systems, using both computational modelling and experimental data to evaluate performance, safety, and reliability.
The unit emphasises sustainable design, systems integration, and innovation in renewable energy applications. Through project-based learning, you will assess how renewable technologies interact with storage and grid systems to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. By the end of the unit, you will be equipped to design, evaluate, and communicate advanced power conversion solutions that balance technical excellence, sustainability, and human-centred engineering practice.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate alternative power generation systems in terms of technical performance, human-centred design, and environmental sustainability;
2. Apply thermofluid and electrical principles to analyse and evaluate performance of hydro, geothermal, and thermal systems using computational and experimental data;
3. Assess integration of renewable technologies with energy storage and grid systems to optimise sustainability and efficiency;
4. Evaluate electromechanical conversion systems for efficiency, safety, and sustainability across diverse applications; and
5. Exemplify collaborative skills to prepare and present professional reports that communicate performance, environmental, and ethical aspects of power system design.