Module Details

Module Code: n/a
Full Title: Energy Management in Agriculture
Valid From:: Semester 2 - 2023/24 ( January 2024 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 5
Module Owner:: Raymond Byrne
Departments: Agriculture, Food and Animal Health
Module Description: The module introduces the student to the fundamentals of energy usage and renewable energy resources and how they could be managed for optimum utilisation in a farm/agri-business context.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Evaluate energy demand and energy bills.
MLO2 Appraise renewable energy resources available at a given location.
MLO3 Identify appropriate sustainable energy technologies to match resource to demand for a given situation from energy, carbon and economic perspectives.
MLO4 Discuss relevant legislation regarding the implementation of energy management systems in the agricultural sector.
MLO5 Apply knowledge to future proof the on-farm energy needs.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
72095   Energy Management in Agriculture
 
Module Indicative Content
Energy Fundamentals
Introduction to energy types, conversions and units. Energy content and greenhouse gas emission impact of various types fuels used in the agriculture context.
Energy Assessment
On-farm energy demand assessment of heat, electricity and transport. Analysis of the diurnal and seasonal nature of the energy demand for different types of agricultural enterprises and the opportunities for energy savings and optimization.
Renewable Energy Resources
Renewable energy resource availability and assessment methods for farm-scale wind, solar, bioenergy, heat pumps and micro-hydro systems.
Energy Technologies
Renewable energy and energy storage technologies and their appropriate deployment to best match the available renewable energy resources to energy demand from the perspectives of energy, greenhouse gas reduction and economics.
Legislation
National and EU legislation regarding emissions, electricity grid access, local planning rules and support schemes for the deployment of renewable energy and energy saving technologies at farm-scale level.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Part-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Multiple Choice Questions % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
This will take the form of an online quiz comprising of questions on the fundamentals of energy, energy technologies and their application in different agricultural settings.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
An individual exercise on assessing energy use of a farm/agri-business and proposing suitable renewable energy solutions to reduce the carbon footprint and lower energy costs while adhering to any relevant legislation requirements. (Students from farms can carry out the exercise on their own farm; alternatively, a specified farm will be given).
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

This module has no Full-time workload.
Workload: Part-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact The primary teaching will be carried out through synchronous online lecture and tutorial classes with the use of modern teaching aids. The principles will be reinforced through class exercises and additional asynchronous recordings and case studies. Every Week 1.50 1.5
Directed Reading Non Contact Relevant books, scientific articles, Government reports and hand-out information. Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Study Non Contact Independent study Every Week 2.00 2
Lecture Contact Synchronous tutorial related to indicative content Every Week 0.50 0.5
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Godfrey Boyle. (2012), Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press, [ISBN: 0199545332].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Stephen Peake. (2018), Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future, Oxford University Press, [ISBN: 9780198759751].
  • Andy McCrea,Jeremy Leggett. (2008), Renewable Energy : A User's Guide, Crowood Press, [ISBN: 1847970613].
  • Bent Sørensen. (2017), Renewable Energy: Physics, Engineering, Environmental Impacts, Economics and Planning, Academic Press, [ISBN: 978-0-12-804567-1].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources