Future Students - Undergraduate
Renewable Energy Engineering
Monique Alfris, 4th year PV student.
Monique hopes to work with corporations to teach them how to become
more energy efficient. Alternatively she would like to work overseas
in developing countries setting communities up with alternative power.
The Renewable Energy Engineering program is a four-year full-time program which commenced in 2003. While approximately half the material is in common with the Photovoltaics and Solar Energy program, this program encompasses a broader range of renewable energy technologies and their use. These include electricity generation from solar thermal systems, photovoltaics, wind generators, biomass, tidal energy, fuel cells, geothermal systems, and also includes the important areas of solar architecture and the design of energy efficient housing. A detailed program outline and corresponding course descriptions can be found in the Online Handbook.
During development of the program discussions on course content were held with Australian manufacturers, major end-users, the former NSW Sustainable Energy Development Authority, the former Australian CRC for Renewable Energy and the former industry representative association, Solar Energy Industries Association of Australia, now incorporated into the Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy. These organisations have representatives on the Advisory Committee established for the Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering.
Consultation has also taken place as necessary with other schools within UNSW. In particular, the plans for this program have been developed in collaboration with the School of Mechanical Engineering, the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications and the Faculty of the Built Environment. All these organisations will be offering courses within the new program.
In March 2003, approximately 50 students went on a field trip to Crookwell Wind Farm, just north of Goulburn, in New South Wales. During the day students observed the wind farm which is the second largest operating in NSW with eight 600kW turbines capable of providing enough energy to power 3500 homes. Students also had the opportunity to meet the wind farm manager for Eraring Energy, Mr Ian Newton.
Assumed Knowledge
In order to successfully undertake this program, it is assumed that students have completed HSC Mathematics Extension 1 and HSC Physics, and it is recommended that they have completed HSC Chemistry. If students are concerned about their level of knowledge in these areas, bridging courses are available for students to complete before the commencement of session 1. Alternatively, please see staff in the School Office.
Industrial Training
Students must complete a minimum of 60 days of suitable industrial training as part of their program. This is completed as part of a Year 4 course on Ethics and Electrical Engineering Practice. At least some of a student's industrial training should be carried out in Australia with overseas employment requiring prior approval. Students are required to submit to the school evidence from their employers confirming completion of the prescribed training, and a report summarising the work done, training received, and the professional role of an engineer made apparent through the training.