CEM420: Renewable Energy 1

Module code: CEM420

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Maria Vahdati , email: m.m.vahdati@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to provide the students with a knowledge of the technical, environmental and social issues associated with biomass and hydro energy. Technical and non-technical barriers and issues limiting widespread use of these renewable energy sources are discussed.Ìý

Assessment through lab work, numerical analysis, and investigation of various technologies gives students an opportunity to examine and analyse data as well as to investigate issues concerned with the use of biomass and hydro energy. A site visit allows the students to engage with a real life project.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:Ìý

1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of hydro and biomass energy technologies, supporting their arguments with quantitative analysis.Ìý
2. Assess the technical, environmental and social issues associated with hydro and biomassÌý energy technologies.Ìý
3. Conduct site assessment and power output for feasibility of micro hydro projects.ÌýÌý
4. Assess the feasibility of various biomass technologies for generating biofuels and energy.ÌýÌý

Module content

The underlying science and technical principles necessary for the assessment and analysis of hydro and biomass energy systems.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module will be delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, and laboratory work. Site visits will allow engagement with the application of these technologies.Ìý

Assessment through laboratory work, data analysis, and investigation of various technologies.ÌýÌýÌý

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

A mark of 50% overall for the module.ÌýÌý

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The below information applies to all full time and flexible modular students on taught PGT programmes in SBE.Ìý
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:Ìý

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;Ìý

• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.Ìý

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission which applies to all full time and flexible modular PGT students in SBE can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdfÌý

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.Ìý

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Student presentations

Reassessment

Additional costs