Code
ENGR4004
Credits
50
Graduate Attributes
Introduction
This capstone unit represents a pivotal opportunity for students to integrate their technical knowledge, engineering judgement, and socio-environmental awareness into a comprehensive, real-world energy system design. Building on core learning across prior units in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, energy systems, storage, conservation and sustainability, students are tasked with developing a multidisciplinary solution that meets the functional and contextual requirements of an assigned client brief. Throughout the project, students apply principles of energy production, transmission, transportation, storage and utilisation to conceptualise and specify an integrated energy system. Solutions are derived from real-world vendor data and components, such as wind turbines, solar farms, pipelines, and storage facilities, requiring learners to analyse trade-offs, evaluate feasibility, and justify decisions. The project simulates an industrial environment, where teams must interpret and respond to client specifications, assess constraints, consider sustainability and First Nations perspectives, and deliver a technically robust and contextually appropriate design. In addition to fostering critical thinking and engineering problem-solving, the project cultivates collaboration, project management, and professional communication skills. It prepares graduates for the realities of engineering practice where solutions must not only function technically, but also respond to complex ethical, environmental, and social considerations.
Workshop
2 x 3 Hours Weekly
Unit Learning Outcomes
- 1 identify, evaluate and integrate energy engineering information to perform a real-world, open-ended energy system engineering design study, GC1, GC2, GC4, GC6
- 2 conduct an energy system design and feasibility study specified in a supplied project brief with due consideration for First Nations people and sustainable aspects., GC1, GC4, GC5, GC6
- 3 perform detailed design work for selected energy systems, considering energy production, transmission, transportation, storage and utilisation, GC1, GC2, GC3, GC6
- 4 applying critical thinking, problem-solving skills, demonstrate engineering and economic judgement while handing complex energy system design problems, GC1, GC2, GC4, GC6
- 5 demonstrate time management and teamwork skills, and effectively communicate technical information with due consideration for academic integrity and personal ethics, GC1, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6
Course Learning Outcomes
- 2 Solve complex energy engineering problems of industrial and societal significance through the application of discipline-specific and integrated bodies of knowledge, design and sustainability principles
- 3 Make decisions related to the design and implementation of solutions to engineering problems in a safe, ethical, and climate-responsible manner adhering to legal and professional standards and through respectful partnerships with local First Peoples and other diverse cultures as globally responsible citizens
- 6 Demonstrate lifelong learning habits, teamwork and leadership abilities, project management skills, and the ability to identify opportunities for career-wide professional growth, necessary for advancing a career in engineering and beyond
Assessment Breakdown
Recent Unit Changes & Response to Student Feedback
Students are encouraged to provide feedback through student surveys (such as Insight and the annual Student Experience Survey) and interactions with teaching staff. Listed below are some recent changes to the unit as a result of student feedback. This unit has not been offered in 2025 or in previous years; consequently, no student feedback is available for reporting.