Module Descriptors
ELECTRICAL ENERGY CONVERSION AND STORAGE
MECH53040
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 5
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Saveen Jayasooriya
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 60
Independent Study Hours: 240
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- COURSEWORK - 2000 WORDS weighted at 50% - Learning outcome(s) assessed: 3,4
- EXAM - 1.5 HOURS weighted at 50% - Learning outcome(s) assessed: 1,2
Module Details
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
A 2000-word lab-based report covering evaluation of single-phase and three-phase power systems, and practical investigation findings and reflection from electrical machines experiments weighted at 50%, meeting Learning Outcomes 3 and 4. Assessing AHEP 4 Outcomes C2, C3, C5, C12, C17.
A 1.5-hour exam weighted at 50%, meeting Learning Outcomes 1 and 2. Assessing AHEP 4 Outcomes C1, C2, C3.
Formative assessment and feedback will be undertaken during the module to assess and develop student learning.
Professional body requirements stipulate that a minimum overall mark of 40% is required to pass the module, with a minimum mark of 30% required in each element of assessment unless otherwise stated.
A 1.5-hour exam weighted at 50%, meeting Learning Outcomes 1 and 2. Assessing AHEP 4 Outcomes C1, C2, C3.
Formative assessment and feedback will be undertaken during the module to assess and develop student learning.
Professional body requirements stipulate that a minimum overall mark of 40% is required to pass the module, with a minimum mark of 30% required in each element of assessment unless otherwise stated.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Electricity/magnetism/circuits via HH, BB, B-H curves (vacuum vs. materials); per-unit notation, single/three-phase power
Electric machines (DC/AC generators, motors, transformers, induction/synchronous) with principles, math models, design/testing, and hands-on simulation for energy conversion.
DC Machine, types (series/shunt/compound/separately excited); e.m.f., saturation curves, load characteristics.
Transformers, Ideal/practical circuits, polarity, losses, regulation, tests (open/short-circuit), phasor analysis, core losses.
Induction machines construction, rotating fields, slip/speed/torque curves, starting/load/power flow, control/braking methods.
Synchronous machines, Poles/stator/rotor, excitation, reactance, load regulation, synchronization, power flow (P-Q control), motors.
Different modes of energy storage systems, Battery systems and management, battery characteristics; SOC/SOH estimation. Charging and dispatch in power systems, BMS for balancing/thermal management.
Electric machines (DC/AC generators, motors, transformers, induction/synchronous) with principles, math models, design/testing, and hands-on simulation for energy conversion.
DC Machine, types (series/shunt/compound/separately excited); e.m.f., saturation curves, load characteristics.
Transformers, Ideal/practical circuits, polarity, losses, regulation, tests (open/short-circuit), phasor analysis, core losses.
Induction machines construction, rotating fields, slip/speed/torque curves, starting/load/power flow, control/braking methods.
Synchronous machines, Poles/stator/rotor, excitation, reactance, load regulation, synchronization, power flow (P-Q control), motors.
Different modes of energy storage systems, Battery systems and management, battery characteristics; SOC/SOH estimation. Charging and dispatch in power systems, BMS for balancing/thermal management.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of electromagnetism, electrical machines and energy storage technologies in electrical engineering. (AHEP 4: C1, C2, C3)
Programme Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding
2. Design solutions using electrical machines and energy storage for complex electrical and renewable energy systems. (AHEP 4: C2, C5)
Programme Learning Outcome: Application & Problem-Solving
3. Critically evaluate analytical calculations for single-phase and three-phase power systems. (AHEP 4: C2, C3)
Programme Learning Outcome: Application & Problem-Solving
4. Perform a range of laboratory experiments on electrical machines to critically verify their design, operation, and efficiency calculations, and reflect on gaps in knowledge to improve problem-solving and professional judgment. (AHEP 4: C12, C17)
Programme Learning Outcome: Application & Problem-Solving, Reflection
Programme Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding
2. Design solutions using electrical machines and energy storage for complex electrical and renewable energy systems. (AHEP 4: C2, C5)
Programme Learning Outcome: Application & Problem-Solving
3. Critically evaluate analytical calculations for single-phase and three-phase power systems. (AHEP 4: C2, C3)
Programme Learning Outcome: Application & Problem-Solving
4. Perform a range of laboratory experiments on electrical machines to critically verify their design, operation, and efficiency calculations, and reflect on gaps in knowledge to improve problem-solving and professional judgment. (AHEP 4: C12, C17)
Programme Learning Outcome: Application & Problem-Solving, Reflection
LEARNING STRATEGIES
This module will enable you to develop understanding, apply knowledge, analyse and evaluate problems, and create solutions through a variety of learning activities, including:
Taught Lectures: To provide a structured introduction to key concepts and underpinning theory.
Tutorials: Interactive sessions designed to reinforce learning, explore concepts in greater depth, and provide opportunities for guided problem-solving and discussion.
Practical Activities: Hands-on sessions using appropriate tools, techniques, or methodologies to support the application of theoretical knowledge to practical problems.
Formative opportunities for informal assessment and feedback will take place throughout the module to support learning, monitor progress, and guide development.
Taught Lectures: To provide a structured introduction to key concepts and underpinning theory.
Tutorials: Interactive sessions designed to reinforce learning, explore concepts in greater depth, and provide opportunities for guided problem-solving and discussion.
Practical Activities: Hands-on sessions using appropriate tools, techniques, or methodologies to support the application of theoretical knowledge to practical problems.
Formative opportunities for informal assessment and feedback will take place throughout the module to support learning, monitor progress, and guide development.
RESOURCES
Electrical machines lab.
TEXTS
Kallaste, A., Vaimann, T., Rassõlkin, A., & Janson, K. (2025). Fundamentals of Electrical Machines (1st ed.). CRC Press
Aliprantis, D. and Wasynczuk, O. (2022) Electric Machines: Theory and Analysis Using the Finite Element Method. Cambridge University Press.
Chapman, S. J. (2012) Electric Machinery Fundamentals. 5th edn. McGraw-Hill.
Kularatna, N. and Gunawardane, K. (2021) Energy Storage Devices for Renewable Energy-Based Systems: Rechargeable Batteries and Supercapacitors. 2nd edn. Academic Press.
Mukerji, S.K., Khan, A.S., & Singh, Y.P. (2020). Electromagnetics for Electrical Machines (1st ed.). CRC Press.
The books listed above for electrical energy conversion are recognised standard works in the field, providing rigorous coverage of core and foundational concepts. Although they are not the most recently published texts, they remain widely used and continue to provide essential theoretical grounding, supported by more recent industry publications included in the reading list.
Aliprantis, D. and Wasynczuk, O. (2022) Electric Machines: Theory and Analysis Using the Finite Element Method. Cambridge University Press.
Chapman, S. J. (2012) Electric Machinery Fundamentals. 5th edn. McGraw-Hill.
Kularatna, N. and Gunawardane, K. (2021) Energy Storage Devices for Renewable Energy-Based Systems: Rechargeable Batteries and Supercapacitors. 2nd edn. Academic Press.
Mukerji, S.K., Khan, A.S., & Singh, Y.P. (2020). Electromagnetics for Electrical Machines (1st ed.). CRC Press.
The books listed above for electrical energy conversion are recognised standard works in the field, providing rigorous coverage of core and foundational concepts. Although they are not the most recently published texts, they remain widely used and continue to provide essential theoretical grounding, supported by more recent industry publications included in the reading list.
WEB DESCRIPTOR
This module covers fundamentals of electricity, magnetism, and circuits – exploring HH, BB, B-H curves in vacuum vs. materials, per-unit notation, and single/three-phase power. You will also learn about electric machines including DC/AC generators, motors, transformers, and induction/synchronous types, with in-depth principles, mathematical models, design, testing, and understanding for energy conversion and storage in modern power systems.