| Effective Term: | 2026/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability |
| Unit Title: | Energy Conversion |
| Unit ID: | ENGRG4301 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 030701 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit offers an advanced technical insight into the application of thermodynamic principles for both conventional and renewable energy conversion systems. It equips participants with comprehensive theoretical, practical, and system-modelling skills essential for analysing and optimising energy conversion processes. Upon successful completion, participants will be qualified to undertake specialised engineering work and pursue further learning and research in the field of Energy Conversion. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | |  | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Explain thermodynamic principles governing energy production, conversion, and utilisation for conventional and renewable systems. |
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| K2. | Describe operating principles of key energy technologies (steam turbines, gas turbines, ORC, solar thermal, and fuel cells) and explain energy efficiency and its influence on economic performance and environmental sustainability. |
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| K3. | Outline the basic principles of system modelling and simulation applied to steady-state energy conversion processes. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Analyse and interpret energy-conversion cycles and processes, including energy and exergy (efficiency and losses), using appropriate analytical methods. |
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| S2. | Apply problem-solving methods to energy conversion systems using analytical approaches. |
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| S3. | Communicate technical findings clearly in written and graphical form using appropriate engineering conventions, and work effectively in teams to investigate and design energy-conversion solutions under real-world constraints. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Collaborate ethically and responsibly on tasks involving data analysis, modelling, and system design. |
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| A2. | Apply system-modelling techniques to evaluate performance of energy system. |
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| A3. | Apply research methods to plan and execute project work and research with a level of independence. |
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| Unit Content: |
This unit discusses the various methods currently available to produce energy and evaluates them in relation to their performance, environmental impact, and resource sustainability. In addition, the unit introduces system modelling and simulation techniques used to analyse, compare, and optimise energy conversion systems under varying operational and environmental conditions.
Topics may include:
- Conventional power plants (e.g., thermal, gas, hydro)
- Energy from renewable and sustainable resources (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal, hydrothermal)
- Environmental and economic considerations
- System modelling and performance analysis of energy conversion systems
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| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate high-level skills to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups Students will be required to display (in person and/or online) high-level skills in-person and/or online in: • Effective verbal and non-verbal communication via a range of synchronous and asynchronous methods • Active listening for meaning and influencing • High-level empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating extended conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams | Y - Present | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply leadership skills and behaviours Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating, contributing to, and enabling collegial environments • Showing self-awareness and the ability to self-reflect for personal growth • Inspiring and enabling others • Making informed and evidence-based decisions through consultation with others • Displaying initiative and ability to solve problems | Y - Present | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complex and ambiguous environments, using their imagination to create new ideas Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically on complex problems • Synthesising, evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Proposing alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts through deep inquiry • Proposing creative solutions in problem solving | Y - Present | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work proficiently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks Students will be required to display high-level skills in: • Finding, accessing, collating, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and appropriately and securely sharing complex digital information at a high-level • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Using digital tools appropriately to conduct research • Contributing proficiently to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and utilising digital learning opportunities | Y - Present | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to think ethically and sustainably. Students will be required to display skills in: • The responsible conduct of research • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in multiple global economic environmental and societal contexts • Demonstrating commitment to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Generating research solutions which are sustainable,ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable • Extending lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Demonstrate extended actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A2 | Numerical problems to help students learn problem solving skills. | Numerical assignment | 20-40% | | 2. | K1, K2, S1, S2, S3, A2 | Numerical problems to assess students understanding of advanced topics in energy conversion | Test/Quiz | 30-50% | | 3. | K2, S3, A1, A3 | Group work report on lab experiments, or research based project. | Report (Lab/research project) | 20-40% |
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