Assignment 2: Discussion Paper
Length: 2000 words per student (tolerance ± 5% of total)
Assignment two is an individual submission of a discussion paper related to one topical issue in energy. A discussion paper, like a white paper, should include:
- A description of the current state of the topic
- Current trends and state-of-the-art
- Opportunities in this topic
- Barriers to this topic (and some potential solutions)
- A concluding assessment/recommendation/scenario analyses
Each student is expected to spend approximately 20 to 30 hours researching and writing their assignment.
References should include both scientific literature and detailed reports (which typically range from 50-200 pages in length). As the focus of this course is on the contemporary role of energy in society, the majority of literature in the analysis should have been released within the past two (2) years.
All sources of information should be referenced, including those from fellow students (See University policy on plagiarism). A report writing style guide has also been provided for you on learnonline.
Topic options:
Choose one of the following topics for your discussion paper. You are welcome to propose alternative project topics, but (if they are not on the list below) they must be approved on a case-by-case basis.
You will need to perform your own literature review, but these may be useful in getting you started. You may need to be on campus or the UniSA VPN to access some documents.
1. Prospects of Geothermal Energy
Discuss the technology of generating electricity using geothermal energy and discuss the advantages, problems and future prospects.
2. The Role of Nuclear Reactors in the Energy Mix
Discuss the technology, current status and prospects of 4th Generation, integral fast nuclear reactors.
3. Future of Solar Thermal Electricity Generation
Discuss the future of solar thermal electricity in Australia. Particularly note the Jamalong pilot plant in New South Wales and the unsuccessfully proposed concentrated solar thermal plant for Port Augusta, South Australia.
4. Carbon Capture and Sequestration from Coal and Gas Fired Power Plants
Discuss the opportunities of, and challenges, in carbon capture and sequestration. Include discussion of the social/economic/political drivers. Additional scope may include the production of “blue hydrogen”.
5. Renewable Electricity in South Australia: Grid Impacts and Requirements
Discuss the impacts of renewable energy technologies on the baseline and peak loads in South Australia. Focus should be on grid technical and policy impacts for the national gird and energy market.
6. Energy Storage in a Renewable Electricity Market
Discuss the technology, current status and prospects of energy storage technologies (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, and Thermal energy storages). Include the role of energy storage in allowing high penetration of Renewable Energy generation in Australia.
Assignment schedule:
Refer to dates on learnonline.
Assignment report submission:
Assignment reports should be submitted electronically via the course webpage The following penalties are applied for all late submissions.
- Up to 1 day late : 10% deduction
- Up to 2 days late : 20% deduction
- Up to 3 days late : 30% deduction
More than 3 days: No marks and submission will not be accepted
Extensions
- Extensions or reasonable adjustment for assignments are available under the following conditions:
- Students with disabilities or medical conditions may be entitled to reasonable adjustment to assessment arrangements including extra time and alternative forms of assessment. See:
- Medical and exceptional compassionate grounds
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