PHY-20039 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

Key challenges for decarbonising the energy sector are how to incorporate renewable energy sources into energy distribution networks and how to manage their variable generation and often isolated geographical location. This module explores the physics of the electricity transmission and distribution network, introducing the key factors that influence its design and effectiveness. It will examine how a network might need to be modified to cope with renewable energy generation, how the storage of renewable energy can help manage supply and demand within the context of smart energy networks and convert electrical energy into more useful forms.
The module will develop the skills to evaluate the components of a network, highlight the practical difficulties of including renewable energy sources and show how the value of renewable energy can be increased through the creative use of novel energy storage solutions and smart energy networks such as that in use at Keele.

The module aims are to introduce students on the Physics with Renewable Energy programme to the fundamental challenges and potential solutions to incorporating renewable energy sources into energy infrastructures. The module focuses on: (i) the physics of how energy, particularly electrical energy, is transmitted from where it is generated to where it is used and what factors influence the design of power networks that incorporate renewable energy sources; (ii) how renewable energy can be stored in order to manage its variable generation or to convert it to more practical forms. Along with a companion module on the generation of renewable energy, this module aims to furnish students with the core knowledge and skills to analyse, evaluate, articulate and design 21st century energy networks that incorporate a significant or even dominant renewable energy component.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe the main components of an electrical power transmission and distribution system and perform analytical calculations to evaluate the performance and design of the components and overall system.: 1,2
Discuss, in quantitative detail, the specific difficulties in incorporating renewable energy sources into an energy network at various scales and be able to outline the potential solutions to these problems.: 1,2
Provide an overview, and articulate the physics behind, the various proposed energy storage solutions and perform quantitative analyses of their effectiveness in different scenarios.: 1,2
Engage with forefront research in at least one focused method of renewable energy storage and to disseminate that research to their peers.: 2
Describe techniques by which generation, storage and consumption of power can be integrated into a Smart Energy Network, using the Keele SEND as an exemplar.: 2

Study hours

Active learning hours:
12 x 1 hour classroom session
4 x 2 hours group problems classes
2 hours presentation preparation workshop
Independent Study Hours:
30 hours for the problem sheets
40 hours researching and producing the presentation.
58 hours private study and preparation.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment