Assignment: Energy demand, technology and methods of energy production

Learning Outcome 1: Evaluate the energy demand to determine the technology and methods of energy production
Learning Outcome 2: Investigate current energy sources, demand and their impact on the environment
Learning Outcome 3: Examine the benefits and effectiveness of renewable energy sources
Learning Outcome 4: Explore renewable energy technologies and their costs
Learning Outcome 5: Determine the use of energy sources to assess their global impact on energy demand
Learning Outcome 6: Evaluate the effectiveness and drawbacks of renewable energy systems for short- and long-term energy demands
Learning Outcome 7: Critically evaluate the performance of a renewable energy system and the technologies used in energy efficiency improvement

Introduction
This module presents a wide-ranging introduction to the field of existing and renewable energy systems. There are many alternative sources of energy (some ‘green') which can be converted to an electrical form, providing energy for transport, heat/cooling and lighting, as well as energy for various industrial processes and applications. Power electronic converters are an essential component of renewable and distributed energy sources, including wind turbines, photovoltaics, marine energy systems and energy storage systems. It is necessary to gain a clear understanding of, and be able to examine, the technical implications of providing sustainable electrical energy to meet the energy demand of the future. The unit will also explore the potential impacts of climate change and why more, and different forms of sustainable energy sources are required together with the need for energy efficiency measures. By the end of this unit students will be able to examine the technological concepts behind providing a sustainable electrical energy supply for the future. They will also be able to describe how the fundamental technical and economic processes and drivers at play in the electrical power industry affect the selection and use of energy sources.

Task 1
Due to a recent board meeting, some new directives have been put forward in relation to development of possible newly funded research into sustainability and overall improvement in the company's carbon footprint. As part of this new development team, your initial job is to investigate the following areas.
a) Review non-renewable and renewable energy sources used to provide a nation's electricity supply.
b) Compare them in terms of sustainability, perceived safety, cost per megawatt, lifespan and post-service decommissioning. The future of different methods and fuels, cost of fuel production, hazards and environmental impact should be included.

Task 2
From good feedback you have received from previous meetings, your role has developed. Each month you are required to investigate other aspects further as a recognised research engineer.
a) Describe forms and characteristics of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, tidal, bio and geothermal.
b) Review the advantages and constraints of each source and their cost-competitiveness compared to fossil fuels.

Task 3
The go ahead has been granted regarding the newly structured funding. At the latest meeting it was decided you were to research innovations and lay out possible structures to the following.
a) Investigate the current state of innovations in materials, processes, and technologies associated with renewable energy.
b) Identify material and manufacturing implications of renewable energy technologies and systems.
Discuss the implications of renewable technologies for the environment, social constraints and communities.

Task 4
Further changes have affected the present market as specific world issues in certain directions are impacting the global economy. Further feedback means more detailed information is required for discussions at the next directors meeting.
a) Identify the factors responsible for increasing energy demand. Analyse the social and environmental effects of current energy use.
b) Review national and global energy scenarios and discuss evolving technologies that could play a part in future energy systems.
c) Investigate the relative costs (energy return on investment) of producing electrical power from conventional and new sources of energy.
d) Analyse the challenges of developing a sustainable energy supply.

Task 5
From your last well received work an interim set of further information is required for the next group meeting. Your job is to investigate -
a) Outline the technical potential of renewable energy technologies in terms of their ability to satisfy both current and projected future global energy demand.
b) Discuss the socio-economic benefits of the deployment of renewable energy systems.
c) Analyse the adverse side effects, technical risks and uncertainties associated with renewable energy systems.

Task 6
Your final part of this project is to share all your findings to the board to enable discussions and further decisions to be made. Before this your final research requires you to use critical evaluation to assess the main factors that influence the performance and efficiency of renewable energy technologies and their impact on the environment. Research systems, ideas and potential breakthroughs in technology which can be used to improve efficiency.
All the information you have gained and researched properly should be put together in a structured document to be handed out to company directors.