Assessing Learning Outcomes on Renewable and Low Carbon Technologies

The learning outcomes that are assessed by this coursework are:

• Calculate, from basic physical principles, energy outputs from key renewable and low carbon technologies.

• Evaluate the advantages and limitations of renewable and low carbon technologies in the context of existing energy systems.

• Appraise the options and barriers for moving towards more sustainable energy systems.

• Critically evaluate energy technologies in terms of their economic, environmental and technical characteristics.

Late submission of coursework policy:

Late submissions will be processed in accordance with current University regulations, which state: “The time period during which a student may submit a piece of work late without authorisation and have the work capped at 50% if passed is 14 calendar days. Work submitted unauthorised more than 14 calendar days after the original submission date will receive a mark of 0%. These regulations apply to a student’s first attempt at coursework. Work submitted late without authorisation which constitutes reassessment of a previously failed piece of coursework will always receive a mark of 0%.”

• To achieve a ‘Distinction’ mark of the work must demonstrate an exceptional ability and insight, indicating the highest level of technical competence. It must have the potential to influence the forefront of the subject, it may be of publishable quality and it must demonstrate relevant generic skills at the highest possible standard.

• To achieve a ‘Distinction’ mark of the work must demonstrate an outstanding ability and insight based on authoritative subject knowledge and a very high level of technical competence. It must be considered to be close to the forefront of the subject, it may be close to publishable quality and it must demonstrate relevant generic skills at a very high level.

• To achieve a ‘Distinction’ mark of the work must demonstrate authoritative, current subject knowledge and a high level of technical competence. It must  accurate and extensively supported by appropriate evidence, it may show some originality with clear evidence of capacity to reflect critically and deal withambiguity in the data, and it must demonstrate relevant generic skills at a high level.

• To achieve a ‘Merit’ mark of the work must demonstrate a sound, current subject knowledge it must contain no significant errors in the application of concepts or appropriate techniques but it may contain some minor flaws. It must be well developed and coherent, it may show some originality and clear evidence of capacity to reflect critically and it must demonstrate relevant generic skills at a good level.

• To achieve a ‘Pass’ mark of the work demonstrates satisfactory subject knowledge, with some evident weaknesses; possibly shown by conceptual gaps, or

limited use of appropriate techniques. The work is generally sound but tends  toward the factual or derivative, with limited evidence of capacity to reflect critically. The work must demonstrate relevant generic skills at a satisfactory level.

• A ‘Fail’ a mark of indicates that the work demonstrates limited core subject knowledge and contains some important weaknesses; possibly shown by factual errors, conceptual gaps, or limited use of appropriate techniques. The work lacks sound development; it provides little evidence of capacity to reflect critically and demonstrates a quality of the relevant generic skills that do not meet the requirements of the task.

• A ‘Fail’ a mark of <30 indicates that the work demonstrates inadequate subject knowledge. It lacks coherence and evidence of capacity to reflect critically and demonstrates a quality of relevant generic skills that do not meet the requirements of the task.

Tasks

1. Summarise the current energy situation in IoM, in particular in relation to the use of fossil fuel and renewable energy.

2. Identify potential future sources of renewable and low carbon energy local to the IoM, taking into account the climate, topography, land use etc. and the size of energy demand. This should include potential amounts of energy, output profile, and ability to despatch generation.

3. Comment on the extent to which energy production from sources identified in Task 2 matches demand in quantity, and time (particularly for electricity), and what measures might be taken to manage mismatches between these, noting the connection to the UK grid.

4. Identify how energy systems and infrastructure might evolve (for example heating, transport) to facilitate a transition to low carbon energy.