RSE3241 Hydropower
Faculty of Engineering
RSE3241 Hydropower is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2023 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs ENG2005 and (MEC2404, CHE2161, MAE2404, CIV2263 or TRC4802) and unlocks 1 unit.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2023
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2023 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
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Requisites
Before RSE3241
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After RSE3241
1 unit list RSE3241 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
This unit covers all aspects of hydropower, including the fundamental physics behind energy storage in potential energy, design of hydropower systems (dam walls and reservoirs, penstock piping and tunnelling, power house design (turbine and generator), tailrace and electrical connection). The operation of hydropower stations and their influence on the integrated electrical system. The unit covers recent developments in hydropower, in particular, the current trend towards more pumped hydro energy storage. Lectures will be delivered by both academic staff and industry experts who work on real-world hydropower projects.
Offerings in 2023
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Assignment 1: Overview of a hydropower stationThreshold hurdle25%
- Assignment 2: Design of a hydropower stationThreshold hurdle25%
- Final assessmentThreshold hurdle50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Appreciate the physical basis behind hydropower
- 2
Estimate the potential electrical energy production of a greenfield site
- 3
Describe the process of designing and constructing a hydropower station.
- 4
Describe the function of a hydropower station, especially the operation of the turbine and generator to vary the power output
- 5
Analyse the role of a hydropower station in the electricity sector
- 6
Assess the economic feasibility of a hydro (or pumped hydro) project based on CAPEX, OPEX and projected revenue
Workload and teaching
- Practical activities24 hours
- Lectures12 hours
- Teaching approachIndustry-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
We have four practitioners from the industry providing guest lectures.
All items discussed in the lectures are practised in the practice classes and in the assignments.
Learning resources
Required resources
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Where it fits
RSE3241 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2023 handbook.
- CIVILENG03Civil engineering technical electivesCivil engineeringNo reviews yet
- ENVIRENG03Environmental engineering technical electivesEnvironmental engineeringNo reviews yet
- MECHENG03Mechanical engineering technical electivesMechanical engineeringNo reviews yet
- RNWENMNR02Renewable energy engineering minorRenewable energy engineeringNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Valentijn Pauwels
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Valentijn Pauwels
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for RSE3241?
You need ENG2005 and (MEC2404, CHE2161, MAE2404, CIV2263 or TRC4802) before you enrol.
What can I take after RSE3241?
RSE3241 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including RSE4050.
When is RSE3241 offered?
In 2023, RSE3241 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is RSE3241?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does RSE3241 have an exam?
No. RSE3241 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include RSE3241?
RSE3241 is part of Civil engineering, Environmental engineering, Mechanical engineering and Renewable energy engineering.