This course conveys the principles of solar thermal engineering. The topics covered include low- and high-temperature solar thermal energy collectors, solar thermal conversion processes, thermal energy storage, systems design and control. Theoretical material is balanced with practical experience in laboratories and design case studies. It is a capstone course for Engineering Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer stream in the Renewable Energy Systems major.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Apply systematic engineering methods to design and analyse solar thermal energy systems, including balancing practical and theoretical aspects of design.
- Identify and critically evaluate the potential impact and role for solar thermal technologies in energy systems.
- Proficiently apply advanced technical knowledge of the solar resource for design of solar thermal systems.
- Understand the concepts of energy quality and energy services in a systems engineering context.
- Analyse simple solar thermal systems through software modelling and understand the limitations of such models.
- Carry out experimental investigations of solar thermal systems and assess the implications of the results.
- Communicate results effectively in written form.
Other Information
Professional Skills Mapping:
Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment and Professional Competencies
Indicative Assessment
- Design Project (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- Laboratory (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- Assignments (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- Exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Four lectures per week
One two-hour tutorial per week starting from week 1
Two two-hour laboratory sessions
Six hours of independent study on average per week
Inherent Requirements
Information on inherent requirements for this course is currently not available.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
J.A. Duffie and W.A. Beckman. Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, fourth edition, 2013.
Assumed Knowledge
Sound understanding of the principles of fluid mechanics and heat transfer .
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $4410 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $5880 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
