Assignment

A new rural housing development (500 houses) is to be established. As a renewable energy consultant, you have been commissioned to advise the developer on the potential for maximizing the self-sufficiency of the scheme in terms of its energy use.

Several key technologies have already been identified as potential energy providers: -

• Small or medium scale wind turbines;

• Domestic solar water heaters;

• Photovoltaic modules; and

• A community biomass CHP plant.

Your role, once you have identified a suitable location for the scheme, is:

(i) to advise the developer on the anticipated energy needs of the scheme, including seasonal variations;

(ii) explain the technical operation of the potential technologies involved, their efficiencies, likely load factors, an indication of likely payback periods and any technical limitations;

(iii) assess the energy resources available at the site / required by the site including annual variations;

(iv) select the 3 technologies which you judge to be most appropriate and explain your choice;

(v) define the recommended deployment and scale of each technology and its integration within the scheme;

(vi) discuss any materials or energy storage implications and opportunity for selling excess energy; and,

(vii) highlight any other recommendations which you would have on the implementation and operation of the scheme.

The decision on location is yours, however in selecting the most obvious criteria is to choose a country and location area which you are familiar with. The selection should be based on a realistic need for housing and established infrastructure. If you have any specific queries on this or in general then please contact me at the above e-mail address.

You should list all assumptions made during your assessment.

A suggested guideline of 5000 words with diagrams as necessary should be submitted and marked for the attention of Colin Bullen. Please include the word count on the Title Page of your submission.