Unit 4005 Renewable Energy (R/651/0714) Assignment Brief 2026

Unit 4005 Renewable Energy Assignment Brief

Introduction

With the increasing concerns regarding climate change arising from increasing carbon dioxide levels and other adverse environmental impacts of industrial processes, there are widespread economic, ethical, legislative and social pressures on engineers to develop technologies and processes that have reduced carbon and environmental impact.

This unit aims to familiarise students with both established and emerging renewable energy resources and technologies. It will delve into current and future storage and generation systems, critically exploring their capabilities and constraints.

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to determine the optimum combination of renewable energy technologies and evaluate their efficiencies, describe how to conduct a cost–benefit analysis to determine the most viable option between renewable and conventional energy sources, and consider the relevant political, socio-economic, and legal factors that influence the selection of appropriate energy technologies.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit students will be able to:

LO1 Explore potential renewable energy resources and technologies

LO2 Determine the optimum combination and efficiencies of renewable energy technologies for a particular location

LO3 Conduct a cost- benefit analysis to determine the most viable option between renewable and conventional energy sources

LO4 Analyse the socio- economic, legislative, and environmental factors in selecting appropriate renewable energy technologies.

Essential Content

LO1 Explore potential renewable energy resources and technologies

Alternative energy resources, their respective merits, and drawbacks:

• Wind energy, ocean and tidal energy, biomass, geothermal energy, hydropower, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal energy, and waste- to- energy.
• Energy storage and generation technologies (e.g., batteries, hydrogen).

LO2 Determine the optimum combination and efficiencies of renewable energy technologies for a particular location

Energy demand and security of supply:

• Energy consumption changes, intensity and trends (domestic, industrial, transport, and services sectors)
• Factors affecting changes in energy consumption and demand
• Future demand planning based on trends and needs analysis
• Risk analysis for energy supplies for local areas and global regions
• Energy capacity margins analysis related to changes in demand
• Alternatives for locally used energy sources.

Energy reduction and efficiency approaches:

• Energy systems available for a given location
• Energy legislation and standards
• Energy saving and reduction schemes, energy saving technologies available
• Energy efficiency approaches for domestic energy use
• Grants and government schemes, and the effects of such schemes on supply and demand.

Grid Integration Requirements:

• Local Grid Code requirements and compliance for integration of the renewable energy assets

LO3 Conduct a cost- benefit analysis to determine the most viable option between renewable and conventional energy sources

Financial and environmental implications: 

• Cost-benefit analysis using appropriate tools and techniques
• Socio-economic factors
• Financial implications of renewable and conventional energy.

LO4 Analyse the socio- economic, legislative, and environmental factors in selecting appropriate renewable energy technologies.

Set- up and operation of renewable technologies:

• Socio- economic factors (e.g. UN sustainability goals)
• Legislative and commercial considerations, including carbon taxes and national and international climate change legislation
• Environmental factors
• Evaluation planning tools such as PESTLE analysis
• Local environmental impact and considerations
• Waste impact, waste management strategies
• Contamination issues and society wellbeing.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Answer

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