RSE3243 · Bioenergy

Overview

This unit provides foundational knowledge of the bioenergy industry, including feedstocks, processing and end-use of products. The unit provides insight into biomass energy resources and bioenergy technologies, including the properties and characteristics of the resources, conversion and utilisation processes, as well as industrial application. Economic cost-effectiveness will be examined. You will also conduct a lifecycle analysis of the various pathways to determine the energy return on energy invested. Other issues, such as impacts on food availability, land availability and the social and political impacts, will also be covered.

Areas of study: Minor: Renewable energy engineering Minor: Sustainable engineering

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Continuous assessment: 50% Final assessment: 50% 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 (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Construct mass and energy balances for biomass-based energy systems.
2. Describe the chemical and biological processes utilised in bioenergy conversion pathways.
3. Design systems and technologies for biomass utilisation to produce bioenergy products.
4. Appraise techno-economic assessments and lifecycle assessments for bioenergy production processes.
5. Describe the social and political issues around bioenergy.
6. Effectively work in a team and communicate through oral and written reports.

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.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.