RE engineering, including: energy and humanity encompassing: need for energy and relationship between energy usage and standard of living energy conversion - typical processes and efficiencies sources of energy solar energy - direct heating, photosynthesis, solar cells, power tower, hydrogen for solar energy, ocean thermal energy collector, solar ponds, wind and wave energy, and hydro-electric power geothermal energy tidal energy nuclear energy - fission and fusion, burner and breeder reactors stored fuel reserves fuel conservation - reduction in wastage, recycling, greater usage efficiency and use of waste heat thermodynamics basic concepts encompassing: nature of matter - atoms, molecules, inter-molecular forces, molecular motion and states of matter mass and conservation of mass principle volume, density, specific volume and relative density force, weight and pressure (atmospheric, gauge and absolute) temperature (Celsius and Kelvin) systems and black box analysis reciprocating piston and cylinder mechanism – pressure ratio and compression ratio energy encompassing: definition and principles potential energy kinetic energy work (linear and rotational), constant and variable force, relationship to pressure and volume change power (linear and rotational) sensible heat - specific heat capacity (constant pressure and constant volume) latent heat chemical energy - energy content of a fuel internal energy energy transfer in closed and open systems encompassing: definition of a closed system calorimetry as an example of a closed system (with or without phase change) thermodynamics 1 non-flow energy equation - typical applications such as stirring with simultaneous heating or cooling definition of an open system mass and volume flow rate and continuity equation steady flow energy equation (negligible change in kinetic or potential energy) leading to the concept of enthalpy - typical applications such as turbines, compressors, boilers and heat exchangers gases encompassing: definition of a perfect or ideal gas in terms of the molecular model general gas equation characteristic gas equation (equation of state) constant pressure process constant volume process isothermal process polytropic process adiabatic process heat engines encompassing: definition of a heat engine essentials of a heat engine - heat source, heat sink, working substance, mechanical power output and working cycle energy balance for a heat engine (as a black box) and efficiency maximum possible efficiency (Carnot efficiency) types of heat engines according to working substance, heat source, mechanical arrangement and working cycle typical practical cycles - Stirling, Otto, diesel, dual, two-stroke (spark and compression ignition) and Joule cycle thermodynamics 1 heat engine performance encompassing: measurement of torque and power output - rope brake, shoe brake, hydraulic dynamometer and electric dynamometer heat supply rate, efficiency and specific fuel consumption measurement of indicated power - mechanical indicator, electric/electronic indicator and Morse test friction power, mechanical efficiency and indicated thermal efficiency volumetric efficiency energy balance performance curves - variable load constant speed, and variable speed constant throttle setting structure of the existing generation, transmission and distribution system benefits, issues and impacts distributed generation technologies electrical power distribution systems operation encompassing: electrical characteristics of feeders causes of voltage problems in a power distribution system voltage regulation limits calculations for feeder voltage drops methods of voltage control fault types, causes and effects determination of fault levels fault level limitation protection and relaying encompassing: protection system purpose and features application of protection in a distribution network protection system terminology feeder protection systems distributed generation issues encompassing: utility requirements for interconnection safety of personnel islanding grid stability voltage regulation potential benefits of distributed generation limitations in design of distribution circuits (designed for one-way operation) match between supply and demand operation: dispatchable and non-dispatchable supplies factors affecting the sizing of distributed generation use of energy storage case studies RE supplies issues encompassing: limits to penetration factors affecting the value of renewables on the grid implications of renewable input on power system operation connection of energy systems via inverters: AS 4777 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters factors affecting the uptake of distributed generation encompassing: institutional factors regulatory factors policy including mandated targets green power market financial issues contractual issues case studies engineering solutions to RE problems relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes relevant manufacturer specifications relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements relevant workplace documentation relevant workplace policies and procedures RE engineering principles sustainable energy principles and practices |