Units / MEC6888
MEC6888 · Renewable energy systems
2026 Handbook0 credit pointsLevel 6Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
This unit examines the thermodynamics of renewable energy systems (principally solar, wind, tidal, hydro, biomass and variants of these); their efficiency; the design of such systems and their selection for differing environments around the globe; reliability of the energy source; trends in renewable energy systems; and the associated environmental and economic factors. The unit also examines the regulatory environment as a predictor for the uptake of renewable energy systems.
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | Second semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moodle quizzes | Quiz / Test | 18% | Threshold |
| 2 | In-semester test(s) | Quiz / Test | 20% | Threshold |
| 3 | Workshop/Individual presentation | Presentation | 12% | Threshold |
| 4 | Final assessment | Project | 50% | Threshold |
Continuous assessment: 50% Final assessment: 50% Final grades: PGO (pass grade only) or NGO (fail) This unit contains hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NGO).
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
prohibitions
- MEC5888 — Renewable energy systems
Learning outcomes
- Formulate, identify and interpret the efficiencies of current and research renewable energy systems.
- Design a renewable energy system, select different sites in Australia and around the world based on renewable energy resource maps and predict the energy output from the system.
- Analyse the trends in development and deployment of renewable energy systems in terms of the regulatory, economic, and social environment.
- Engage in regular self-assessment and appraise peer-assessment of individual and team performance as a primary means of tracking continuing professional development.
Workload
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Workshops | 24 hours |
| Practical activities | 24 hours |
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