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4. Wind Energy

Course Fact File

Code	NE6201
Duration	15 weeks
NFQ Level	Level 9
Fees	€1,000 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	TBC ‘26/’27
Credits	5
Start Date	TBC ‘26/’27

Outline

Introduce students to wind energy theory and technology, resource assessment and wind farm site development: 

Wind characteristics and resources. Measurement and instrumentation. Data analysis and energy production estimates. Weibull distribution. Log and power laws. Aerodynamics of wind turbines. Characteristics of airfoils. Momentum theory. Betz Limit. Wind turbine rotor dynamics. Wind turbine design and components. Blade pitch and stall control. Principles of wind farm design and micro-siting. Introduction to wind farm design software tools. Civil works for wind farms. Wind energy variability. Wind energy storage technologies. Requirements for and approaches to wind energy forecasting. 

Schedule Information

12 x 2 Hr(s) lectures 

2 x 2 Hr(s) tutorials 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Why Choose

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to

1. Outline the origin of global, geostrophic and surface winds. 
2. Explain the impact of surface roughness and orography on wind speed profiles. 
3. Calculate wind speed at a given height using the log law and power law. 
4. Discuss different approaches to wind power forecasting and the relative benefits and limitations of each. 
5. Apply aerodynamic theory to analyse wind turbine rotor performance and passive and active wind turbine stall control. 
6. Model wind farm energy production and associated uncertainty. 
7. Discuss environmental impacts of wind farm construction, operation and decommissioning, and how they may be mitigated. 

 

Requirements

Applicants must have:  

A Second Class Honours Grade 2 (or equivalent) in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8) in any discipline 
of Engineering OR 

a Second Class Honours Grade 2 (or equivalent) in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8) in areas of science 
that required having completed level 8 mathematical subjects deemed equivalent to those of engineering (e.g. Physics, Mathematical Sciences, some Computing Science degrees), pending assessment by Programme Director OR 

a pass in any accredited level 8 Engineering degree followed by professional experience deemed of sufficient added value, pending assessment by the Programme Director. 

A quota will be allocated to applicants who do not meet these entry requirements. These applicants will be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning and assessed on the following factors: 

• Academic achievement 
• Prior Work Experience 
• Letter of Reference 
• Personal Statement 

Fees and Costs

€1,000 

How To Apply

Apply here and link to ACE website: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ne6201/