Renewable Energy (SCIE90014)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
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This subject examines the science, technology and policy instruments of a broad range of renewable energy technologies including solar, wind and water as well as other thermal renewables. Specifically, the subject covers:

  • Solar: Overview of the fundamental physics of solar radiation; Technical details of photovoltaic cells and concentrating solar power systems
  • Wind and water: Overview of the fundamental physics of motion involved in energy in wind & water; Technical details of wind turbines and hydro-power systems, including pumped Hydro-Energy Storage
  • Other thermal renewables: Overview of the chemistry and technologies for biomass for heat and electricity and liquid biofuels
  • Renewable integration and policy: Overview of renewable energy policy considerations; Understanding challenges of integration of renewables into power systems. This includes managing variability and the opportunities provided by storage and demand-side management.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of the subject, students should be able to: 

  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the technical details across a broad variety of renewable energy technologies;
  • Describe renewable energy resources and their dependencies on environmental factors in Australia and internationally;
  • Assess the relative merits of the different technologies in terms of cost, variability and technical constraints.

Generic skills

  • Ability to communicate effectively on the technical topics both to a technically trained audience and to the general public
  • Understanding of the broad implications of technological change in the 21st century

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Admission to a Masters level program

AND

One of:

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ENGR90029 Analysing Energy Systems
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ATOC90002 Climate Science for Decision-Making
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MULT90004 Environmental Sustainability
July (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Or equivalent.

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Students who wish to enrol in this subject are recommended to have proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including familiarity with producing charts for analysis and using the IF, SUMIFS, AVERAGEIFS, INDEX, and MATCH functions.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Two quizzes (30 minutes each)

  • 30 minutes (each)
Week 2 and Week 1110%

Practical assignments (3 over the semester)

  • 700 words (each)
Weeks 4, 7 and 945%

Written Examination

  • 2 hours
During the examination period45%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorKelvin Say
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hoursTotal of 48 contact hours: 1x 3hr lecture and 1 x 1hr tutorial weekly
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Energy Systems
  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025