Outline

Overview

This unit aims to develop understanding of the engineering design and analysis of different devices and technologies for generating power from renewable sources including: solar, wind, wave, tidal, ocean thermal, geothermal, hydro-electric, and biofuels; to understand the environmental, operational and economic issues associated with each of these technologies. At the end of this unit students will be able to perform in depth technical analysis of different types of renewable energy generation devices using the principles of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer. Students will be able to describe the environmental, economic and operational issues associated with these devices.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(MECH3260 and MECH3261) or (AMME2262 and CHNG2803 and MECH3261) or (MECH8260 and MECH8261) or (MECH9260 and MECH9261) or (AERO3260 and AERO3261) or (AERO8260 and AERO8261) or (AERO9260 and AERO9261) or equivalent study at another institution
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	The student will need a sound background in advanced level fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer. In particular, students should be able to analyse fluid flow in turbomachinery; perform first and second law thermodynamic analysis of energy conversion systems, including chemically reacting systems; and perform advanced level calculations of conductive and convective and radiative heat transfer, including radiative spectral analysis
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Michael Kirkpatrick, michael.kirkpatrick@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Major Project Major design project	25%	Multiple weeks Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Nov 2025	13 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Quiz 1 Paper quiz done in class on material covered in weeks 1 - 3	15%	Week 04	~ 1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Heat Transfer Assignment Technical assignment	8%	Week 04 Due date: 29 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 08 Sep 2025	~ 3 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Quiz 2 Paper quiz done in class on material covered in weeks 4 - 6	15%	Week 07	~ 1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Fluid Mechanics Assignment Technical assignment	8%	Week 07 Due date: 19 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 29 Sep 2025	~ 3 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Quiz 3 Paper quiz done in class on material covered in weeks 7 - 9	15%	Week 10	~ 1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Thermodynamics Assignment Technical assignment	8%	Week 10 Due date: 17 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 27 Oct 2025	~ 3 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Active Class Participation Meaningfully contribute to general class discussions and major project discussions with peers and teaching staff during the tutorial classes, demonstrating knowledge application, peer engagement, and advancement of collective understanding.	6%	Weekly	During tutorial classes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Heat Transfer Assignment: Heat transfer in renewable energy applications – analysis of a solar thermal power plant.
Fluid Mechanics Assignment: Fluid mechanics in renewable energy applications – analysis of a wind farm.
Thermodynamics Assignment: Thermodynamics in renewable energy applications – analysis of a fuel cell for a hydrogen fuel cell car.
Major Project: Students will complete major group project over the course of the semester. The class will be divided into self-managed project teams. The project assessment will involve a presentation and final report.
Quizzes: The quizzes will involve short answer questions and calculations.
Active Class Participation: You must attend and participate actively in class and group discussions. Note that this is a hurdle task. You must achieve at least 5/6 to pass the unit.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Written assignments submitted late without permission (see Special Considerations: http://sydney.edu.au/students/special-consideration-and-arrangements.html) will incur a late penalty equal to 5% of the maximum awardable mark per day. These deductions will continue for 10 calendar days. At that point the mark awarded will be zero.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Ongoing	Study the Theory Videos and the Background Briefings material each week in preparation for classes. ~2 hours per week.	Independent study (24 hr)
	Complete 3 technical assignments and study for associated quizzes. Each takes ~10-12 hours	Independent study (36 hr)
	Work with group on major project. ~3 hours per week.	Independent study (40 hr)
Week 01	Introduction	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Heat transfer assignment / Major project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Heat transfer assignment / Major project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	In class quiz / Major project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Fluid mechanics assignment / Major project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Fluid mechanics assignment / Major project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	In class quiz / Major project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Thermodynamics assignment / Major project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Thermodynamics assignment / Major project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	In class quiz / Major project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	No class - Thesis / Capstone Seminar Day	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Guest presentation / Major project	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Major project Presentations	Presentation (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Classes are in-person tutorials in which students will be guided in their work on the technical assignments and major projects. Given that all classes involve group work on the major project it is important that students attend the class every week. Students will be required to demonstrate active class participation each week. This is a hurdle task. (See Assessments for details.)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Aldo V. Da Rosa – Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Processes. Elsevier, 2012
B. K. Hodge – Alternative Energy Systems and Applications
Myer Kutz – Environmentally Conscious Alternative Energy Production. Wiley, 2007
Bergman, Lavine, Incropera, De Witt, – Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer. Wiley, 6th edition or later
Cengel and Boles – Thermodynamics – An Engineering Approach. McGraw-Hill, 5th edition or later

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. perform technical analysis of different types of renewable energy generation devices using the principles of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer
LO2. present balanced and logical arguments with regard to the environmental, economic and operational issues associated with the generation of power using renewable energy devices
LO3. in collaboration with a small team of peers, design a renewable energy solution using multiple renewable energy sources and storage to supply power to a town or city in Australia.
LO4. in collaboration with a small group of peers, develop a computational model of a renewable energy solution involving multiple power stations and energy storage hubs, using real weather data as inputs

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

I have changed the assessment weightings and added the active class participation assessment to encourage active engagement by all members in the major project groups.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MECH5275: Renewable Energy

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links