What does a sustainable energy system look like? How might renewable energy provide a much more significant proportion of our energy needs in the coming decades? Which technologies and designs for the various renewable energy sources will help us decarbonise our energy systems and maintain a supply of affordable electricity and heat? In this module, you’ll explore these questions by systematically reviewing eight renewable energy technologies. You’ll develop your ability to apply this knowledge practically – especially for solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and wind.
What you will study
This module explores each of the principal renewable energy sources in turn. Each technology is examined in terms of the relevant physical principles, the main technologies involved, their costs and environmental impact, the size of the potential renewable resource, and its future prospects.
Renewable energy is the core teaching text for this module, along with a specially designed set of online activities to help you apply the knowledge to practical examples in the field.
You will work through a series of online study guides that use material from the book, together with additional online resources, exercises and activities to cover the following topics:
An introduction to renewable energy in the context of our primary energy needs – where you’ll gain an overview of the current status of renewable energy in the context of the world’s present primary energy situation.
Energy in buildings – how energy is used in domestic buildings and how its use can be reduced with insulation and more efficient heating systems.
Solar thermal energy – provides a detailed overview of the physics of solar heat and how this may be captured in various ways, as well as the complex topic of passive solar heating.
Solar photovoltaics – a structured introduction to this critical technology, starting with the physics of crystalline silicon through to integration issues and prospects.
Bioenergy – various bioenergy products and processes are illustrated with a range of practical examples examining the factors likely to affect the uptake of bioenergy systems.
Hydroelectricity – a critical look a small- and large-scale hydro in terms of their respective benefits and penalties.
Tidal power – including barrages, lagoons and the rapidly emerging and potentially significant tidal current technologies.
Wind energy – a detailed overview of a wide range of aspects of one of the fastest-growing energy technologies globally that is set to become a major electricity generator worldwide.
Wave energy – basic principles, detailed technology case studies, and a review of the most promising future designs for this potentially significant global renewable energy source.
Deep geothermal energy – why it is treated as renewable even though it is being mined, its usage over the last century and its exciting future.
Integrating renewable energy and renewable energy futures – how renewable energy sources can contribute to world energy needs, particularly for electricity generation, and future renewable energy growth scenarios.
You will also have access to an electronic version of the companion volume Energy Systems and Sustainability – Power for a Sustainable Future and a range of other study materials on our website.
Entry requirements
This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at OU levels 1 and 2 and typically involve more self-directed learning, such as an end-of-module assessment (a personal project). T313 has a project EMA component.
Although there are no formal entry requirements, a good basic level of skill in energy numeracy and numeracy in general is important
Preparatory work
Studying the OU level 2 module Energy and sustainability (T213) would be an advantage and give you the necessary background and skills for this module.
Potential T313 students may find it beneficial to review the maths for energy diagnostic quiz.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA)
End-of-module assessment
The EMA is a project you'll develop throughout the module.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
course-specific module materials
audio and video content
assessment details and submission section
online tutorial access
access to student forums.
Additionally, the website includes:
an electronic version of the companion textbook.
We also provide physical:
textbook, Peake, S. (2018) Renewable energy - power for a sustainable future (4th Edition).
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying T313 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Renewable energy (T313) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2030.