Engineering

Engineering education is facing many challenges: a decline in core mathematical skills; lowering entry requirements; and the diversity of the student cohort. One approach to confronting these challenges is to make subject content appropriate to the communication styles of today’s student. To achieve this, a pedagogical shift from the traditional hierarchical approach to learning to one that embraces the use of technology as a tool to enhance the student learning experience is required. By including the student as co-creator of course content, a greater sense of engagement is achieved and a change to one where students become agents of their own learning is realized. This active learning constructivist approach shifts the focus from content delivery by the lecturer to active engagement with content by the student and in doing so provides an environment of achievement and ownership which empowers the student and increases self-efficacy. The online platform comprises a set of multiple choice questions focused on core mathematical concepts. The quizzes are constructed to adapt to student responses with custom video feedback created by their peers. This paper outlines the methodology followed and provides results of its evaluation in terms of student’s perceptions.

The impetus towards efficiency in the AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction & Operations) sector is driving the implementation of Lean practices. BIM technologies and BIM processes provide methods by which this can be achieved. Major clients of building services contractors have begun to mandate the use of BIM and some are using BIM preparedness/experience as pre-tender qualification criteria. In this case study, an initial review has been conducted of the achievements of a major Irish M&E contractor in implementing BIM. The firm purpose-built a facility for the off-site manufacture of building services components. The operations of the plant are efficient and qualityassured through the use of an appropriately skilled workforce at all stages of manufacture, and tracking software that has developed as the knowledge of the contractor grew. Standardised processes have been developed which have resulted in greater efficiencies and lower costs for the contractor as a result of fewer requirements for onsite modifications (such as those caused by clashes), less waste, and greater flexibility. Despite some initial objections, the employees of the company are now more satisfied with their working conditions and are, as a result, more productive. Through investment in BIM-based, Lean processes, the contractor can now better compete when tenerding for large-scale projects in Ireland and worldwide, including the rapidly-increasing number where BIM experience and preparedness is mandated.

The objective of this work is to quantify the resultant savings across the EU from the optimization of existing system components in domestic space heating distribution systems to maintain comfort levels.Heat energy savings are shown to range from 1% to 19% depending on dwelling type, age, location and initial specific heat energy consumption. Total potential savings across the sector amount 22.6 Mtoe, a reduction of 7.3%; 53% of these from a reduction in pumping power required by heating distribution systems and 47% of these from a reduction in the heat energy consumed by heating systems. The carbon abatement potential is estimated to be 496 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Regulatory changes to the domestic replacement and maintenance industry are required for these low-cost, high impact and highly applicable energy saving measures to be adopted more extensively.

The maturity of wind technology combined with availability of suitable sites means Ireland is on course to generate 40% of its
electricity from the wind by 2020.This work sets out to quantify, to what degree, if any, increased wind penetration translates into
reduced wholesale and retail prices for electricity. The consensus from the literature is that increasing wind penetration reduces
wholesale electricity prices, but views vary as to what degree this translates into reduced retail prices for the consumer.
This work demonstrates the effect of wind energy penetration on the price of electricity in Ireland using quantitative data from
the market and grid operators. An analysis of the data reveals that increasing wind penetration is having little impact on average
prices.
This work concludes that, due to the fact that imported UK gas powered generation is the main (48%) form of electricity
generation in Ireland, the changes in Irish wholesale electricity prices are primarily determined by UK gas prices and that
increases in wind penetration in recent years have not affected this relationship. This, and the presence of a minimum tariff
received by producers, enables wind energy providers to compete on price, representing a sound commercial basis for
investment in renewables, while continuing the trend of reduced, imported fossil fuel, dependence in Ireland.

Engineers and product designers are concerned with the design, development, implementation and operation of a wide range of systems. If a system is to perform optimally, all of the component parts must communicate and cooperate effectively. Technologists must therefore have an appreciation for both the functionality of a single component of that system and the interoperability, or impact of that component within the context of the system. Scientific first principles underpin all aspects of technical education. The application of scientific knowledge at component level impacts at system level. Practical or laboratory-based activity has long been used as a complimentary pedagogy to that of traditional lectures. Laboratory offerings are conventionally conducted on a single piece of apparatus or at component level, rather than at a system level. Interfaces which help convey scientific principles in action, within the context of a system, must thus be regarded as a demarcation in technical education delivery.
This paper outlines the novel pedagogies developed by a UNESCO award winning European training initiative which created both hard and soft vehicles for learning, for level 5 learners on the European Qualification Framework. The paper describes an authentic systems-based laboratory interface to aid the lecturer in the dissemination of scientific principles, within the context of a system; as well as novel instructional modes designed to improve the soft skills of the learner.  The paper further outlines, how the pedagogies developed, can be implemented within the learning curricula of higher level programmes within the wider engineering and product design community.