Renewable energy

What does a sustainable energy system look like? How might renewable energy provide a much more significant proportion of our energy needs in the coming decades? Which technologies and designs for the various renewable energy sources will help us decarbonise our energy systems and maintain a supply of affordable electricity and heat? In this module, you'll explore these questions by systematically reviewing eight renewable energy technologies. You'll develop your ability to apply this knowledge practically – especially for solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and wind.

Course facts
About this course:
Course code T313
Credits 30
OU Level 3
SCQF level 10
FHEQ level 6
Course work includes:
2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA)
End-of-module assessment
No residential school

What you will study

This module explores each of the principal renewable energy sources in turn. Each technology is examined in terms of the relevant physical principles; the main technologies involved; their costs and environmental impact; the size of the potential renewable resource; and their future prospects.

Renewable energy is the core teaching text for this module, along with a specially designed set of online activities to help you apply the knowledge to practical examples in the field.

You will work through a series of online study guides that use material from the book, together with additional online resources, exercises and activities to cover the following topics:

  • An introduction to renewable energy in the context of our primary energy needs – where you'll gain an overview of the current status of renewable energy in the context of the world's present primary energy situation.
  • Energy in buildings – how energy is used in domestic buildings and how its use can be reduced with insulation and more efficient heating systems.
  • Solar thermal energy – provides a detailed overview of the physics of solar heat and how this may be captured in a variety of different ways, as well as the complex topic of passive solar heating.
  • Solar photovoltaics – a structured introduction to this critical technology starting with the physics of crystalline silicon through to issues of integration and future prospects.
  • Bioenergy – various bioenergy products and processes are illustrated with a range of practical examples examining the factors likely to affect uptake of bioenergy systems.
  • Hydroelectricity – a critical look a small- and large-scale hydro in terms of their respective benefits and penalties.
  • Tidal power – including barrages, lagoons and the rapidly emerging and potentially significant tidal current technologies.
  • Wind energy – a detailed overview of a wide range of aspects of one of the fastest growing energy technologies globally that is set to become a major generator of electricity throughout the world.
  • Wave energy – basic principles and detailed technology case studies and a review of the most promising future designs for this potentially significant global source of renewable energy.
  • Deep geothermal energy – why it is treated as renewable even though it is being mined, its usage over the last century and its exciting future.
  • Integrating renewable energy and renewable energy futures – how renewable energy sources can contribute to world energy needs, particularly for electricity generation, and scenarios for future renewable energy growth.

You will also have access to an electronic version of the companion volume Energy Systems and Sustainability – Power for a Sustainable Future and a range of other study materials from our website.

If you are considering progressing to The engineering project (T452), this is one of the OU level 3 modules on which you could base your project topic. Normally, you should have completed one of these OU level 3 modules (or be currently studying one) before registering for the project module.

You will learn

By the end of the module you will be able to understand and describe the:

  • basic principles underlying the design and use of renewable energy supply systems and their implications for energy sustainability
  • main factors that determine the economic, social and environmental viability of the principal renewable energy systems.

You will also be able to:

  • use appropriate scientific and mathematical techniques relevant to the assessment of renewable energy technologies in terms of their technical potential to contribute to energy supply
  • critically assess the contribution that renewable energy technologies can make to the overall sustainability of energy systems at different scales
  • undertake basic economic analyses of proposed or existing renewable energy projects using spreadsheet-based models of energy systems.

Vocational relevance

You may be interested in a professional career in the energy industry; or may be concerned about the sustainability problems associated with our current energy issues. This module will help you to:

  • communicate scientific and technological aspects of a variety of renewable energy technologies
  • find, critically evaluate and use current information on renewable energy technologies
  • plan, monitor and evaluate progress in project work
  • produce a project report on the technological and economic viability of a proposed renewable energy system
  • interpret manufacturer's specifications for renewable energy devices and systems.

Entry

This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at OU levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject.

Studying the OU level 2 module Energy and sustainability (T213) will give you the necessary background and skills for this module.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Study materials

What's included

You'll have access to a module website, which includes:

  • a week-by-week study planner
  • course-specific module materials
  • audio and video content
  • assessment details and submission section
  • online tutorial access
  • access to student and tutor group forums.

You'll also be provided with the printed core module textbook Peake, S. (2018) Renewable energy - power for a sustainable future (4th Edition). You will have access to an electronic version of the companion volume Energy systems and sustainability – power for a sustainable future.

Computing requirements

You'll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It's not available on Kindle.

It's also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you'll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Throughout your module studies, you'll get help and support from your assigned module tutor. They'll help you by:

  • Marking your assignments (TMAs) and providing detailed feedback for you to improve.
  • Guiding you to additional learning resources.
  • Providing individual guidance, whether that's for general study skills or specific module content.
  • Facilitating online discussions between your fellow students, in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

Module tutors also run online tutorials throughout the module. Where possible, recordings of online tutorials will be made available to students. While these tutorials won't be compulsory for you to complete the module, you're strongly encouraged to take part.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

The EMA is a project that you will develop throughout your study of the module.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone. The Accessibility Statement below outlines what studying this module involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

Mode of study

Approximately half of this module's study materials are online. Online materials are composed of pages of text with images, audio/video clips up to 21 minutes in length (all with transcripts/subtitles), some diagrams, and interactive self-assessed questions. Online materials also include links to external resources, online forums and online tutorial rooms. The printed textbook is also available as a talking book.

Tuition strategy

This module has online tutorials. Although not compulsory, tutorials will help you choose your project topic and guide you towards a successful submission of each of the three pieces of assessment.

Mathematical and scientific expressions and notations

Mathematical and scientific symbols and expressions are used throughout the module and you will be required to use such notation within assessment. Most of the formulae used are practised within the two assignments as well as the final End-of-Module Assessment (EMA) – your project.

Diagrams and other visual content

The study materials contain diagrams, graphs, technical specifications and photographs. Reading and interpreting these is an important part of the study of this module and is assessed. An example might be interpreting an industrial specification for energy output from a wind turbine. Figure descriptions are provided for all figures.

Finding information

You may be required to search for, and make use of, third-party material online and this is assessed in specific questions in the assignments. Alternatives for required material can be provided to enable you to meet the Learning Outcomes of the module.

Assessment

This module has tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and an end-of-module assessment (EMA) that you must submit via the online TMA/EMA service. In the EMA, you might have to insert graphs (from Excel) or screenshots of figures into Word.

Feedback

You will receive feedback from your tutor on your submitted Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs). This will help you to reflect on your TMA performance. You should refer to it to help you prepare for your next assignment. This module does not provide feedback for the End-of-Module Assessment (EMA).

Schedule

All University modules are structured according to a set timetable and you will need time-management skills to keep your studies on track. You will have access to a detailed weekly calendar and you should balance your work on this module with any other modules you are taking as well as your other commitments.

Specialist software

This module uses specialist symbols, such as energy units like kilowatt hours, which are not covered by standard accessibility tools. The software may not be fully accessible as a result and some students use a helper to work with them to produce results for the assignments. The module also uses spreadsheets in Excel to calculate and plot various results.

Future availability

Renewable energy (T313) starts once a year – in October.

This page describes the module that will start in October 2024.

We expect it to start for the last time in October 2027.

This course is expected to start for the last time in October 2027.

Professional recognition

The Open University is a Learning Affiliate Member of the Energy Institute.