IAT - Project Assessment

Renewable energy in construction

Assessment Details

Learning Outcomes

Project Outline and Components

Project Tasks

1. Research and identify renewable energy sources suitable for use in the Australian construction industry.
2. Complete a cost analysis for selected renewable energy sources
3. Compare renewable energy sources and select one (1) resource to be used in the project
4. Identify a minimum of two (2) barriers to implementing the chosen renewable energy resource on the project
5. Develop strategies to overcome the identified barrier to implementing the chosen energy source
6. Describe how the chosen renewable energy sources align to the drivers for renewable energy adoption in the Australian construction industry
7. Design a strategy for implementing the chosen renewable energy source including:
8. Develop a strategy to measure the impact of the chosen renewable energy sources on reducing carbon emissions
9. Summarise theory and practical learnings using oral and written communication strategies.

Task 1 – Researching renewable energy sources

RB Holdings Constructions is a company committed to being a leader in the construction industry. Sustainability is a core operating principle, and as part of their sustainability policy, projects are required to reduce resource consumption, including water and energy use, wherever practicable.

As an RB Holdings project manager, you must investigate the potential use of renewable energy sources to action this commitment to sustainable practice and reduce on-site carbon emissions. All project tasks should be completed regarding this project.

Research and identify two (2) renewable energy sources suitable for use in the Australian construction industry. One (1) source should relate to the temporary energy sources (the construction delivery phase) and one (1) source should relate to the permanent infrastructure. Create a summary of your research findings. This should be up to 500 words in length. In the summary, you should:

1. Explain the purpose of utilising renewable energy sources in the construction industry
2. Describe how the selected renewable energy sources work and two (2) key components of each
3. Evaluate the practicality of each source in relation to which part of the construction phase it is being introduced, this may include:
   • ease of installation
   • energy output
   • environmental impact.
4. Analyse the benefits and limitations of using each renewable energy source with respect to:
   • cost savings
   • reductions in carbon emissions
   • potential logistical challenges.
5. Compare and highlight at least two (2) advantages of each source to traditional fossil fuels or other energy sources commonly used in construction.

Task 2 – Economic evaluation of a renewable energy initiative

Complete a cost analysis for introducing solar light towers on-site during the construction period. This will be up to 500 words in length and include:

1. calculating the return on investment (ROI) for each of the selected sources
2. calculating the payback period for the selected sources
3. a short discussion on the cost analysis findings and long-term financial implications on the decision-making for renewable energy deployment

You may create hypothetical costings relevant to the selected renewable energy sources (for example initial capital investment cost, operational life, energy output). The market prices for other renewable energy sources have been provided to assist with calculations:

• grid-connected electricity is $0.25 per kWh
• diesel is $0.20 per kWh.

Task 3 – Comparing and selecting appropriate energy sources

Write a short summary comparing the identified renewable energy sources and select one (1) resource for use in the factory project (this could be a temporary or permanent source). Compare the renewable energy resources by using a multi-criteria assessment. This should be up to 500 words in length where you must:

1. define four (4) criteria for assessing the feasibility of renewable energy sources.
2. apply the criteria to assess each renewable energy source utilising data and research findings from previous tasks.
3. analyse the effectiveness of each renewable source based on the selected criteria
4. identify the most suitable renewable energy source for the factory construction project.

You can use a table like the example below to compare your selected renewable energy sources. By adding the assessment criteria for each source, you can then analyse which is most effective.

Table 1 -Renewable energy assessment table

Task 4 – Barrier identification

Write a short summary Identifying a minimum of two (2) barriers to implementing the chosen renewable energy resource on the project. This should be up to 500 words in length and you should:

1. identify two (2) barriers relevant to the project that may hinder the implementation of the selected renewable energy resource
2. discuss the implications of these barriers on the feasibility and practicality of integrating the selected renewable energy sources

Task 5 – Solutions to renewable energy challenges

Develop at least two (2) strategies to overcome the identified barrier to implementing the chosen energy source (A total of four (4) strategies. This should be up to 500 words in length where you must:

1. evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of potential solutions or strategies for overcoming each barrier considering its impact on construction operations and adoption of renewable energy sources on-site
2. prioritise the identified barriers based on their significance and potential impact in hindering the implementation of renewable energy sources
3. propose at least two (2) strategies for overcoming each barrier, ensuring a total of four strategies are provided
4. summarise the rationale for selecting each strategy, including any evidence from research conducted as part of the task
5. articulate clear step-by-step plans for how each strategy would be implemented, including:
   • resources
   • timelines
   • stakeholders involved.

Task 6 – Aligning with industry drivers

Write a short summary describing how the chosen renewable energy sources align to the drivers for renewable energy adoption in the Australian construction industry. This should be up to 500 words in length where you must:

1. identify at least three (3) key drivers for the adoption of renewable energy in the Australian construction industry
2. explain how each driver influences the adoption of renewable energy in the construction sector.

Task 7 – Successfully planning for renewable energy deployment

Design a strategy for implementing the chosen renewable energy source. This should be up to 800 words in length and include:

1. consideration of the daily energy demand for one energy consumer during the construction period, for example, lights, a site office, fleet vehicles, and excavators.
2. determining the viability of using the chosen source against criteria including cost-effectiveness, environmental impact and one (1) additional criterion of your choice
3. developing a plan for the implementation and operation of the chosen source, referring to the project plans
4. identifying three (3) potential risks and associated controls
5. identifying two (2) regulatory requirements from authoritative sources such as the National Construction Code, relevant ISO standards, and codes of practice
6. identifying two (2) relevant stakeholder groups and at least one (1) method to successfully engage with each of them.

Task 8 – Evaluating carbon emission reductions from renewable energy

Develop a strategy to measure the impact of the chosen renewable energy sources on reducing carbon emissions. This should be up to 500 words in length and include:

1. identifying and describing two (2) scope 1 emission sources on site, and one (1) scope 3 emissions source
2. developing three (3) SMART key performance indicators (KPIs) and one (1) metric for each KPI (a total of three (3) metrics)
3. identifying three (3) different types of data that could be gathered and analysed to measure the impact of renewable energy sources in reducing carbon emissions.

*Add more than one task if required in the above format

Task 9 – Summarise learnings

Summarise theory and practical learnings using oral and written communication strategies, this should include:

1. a five (5) minute presentation outlining theory and practical learnings throughout the micro-credential
2. six (6) to ten (10) slides to support the presentation
3. use of Teams or Zoom to present and record the presentation
4. a strategy document summarising the above.

Marking Rubic: Checklist for learners

This project will be graded as complete/ not yet complete relevant to the following criteria;

• protected classes under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and how the Act applies to staffing decisions;
• employer conduct that violates anti-discrimination laws;
• the importance of the Civil Rights Act in eliminating racial discrimination in the workplace;
• the role of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in workplace discrimination regulations; and
• documentation needed to defend retaliation claims.

Your home improvement business is trying to keep up with increased demand for services and is rapidly growing. You need to hire several new employees in key roles, including finance and human resources. You want to make sure you get the hire right the first time. Discuss the pros and cons you see of both an unstructured and a structured interview approach to hiring your workers. Your response should be no more than 500 words. 

• What are the key findings regarding compliance with laws and regulations as a component of workforce management?
• How does the employer-employee relationship factor into legal compliance with workforce management laws?
• Reflecting on the unit reading and lesson, does this article consider the various employer-employee relationships as it discusses workforce management? Can the author’s opinions be universally applied to the workforce? Support your position by identifying various types of employers, employees, and employer-employee relationships.

Briefly describe a time that you (if not you, then someone you know) were in a situation where you were not classified as an employee but as an independent contractor, temporary worker, or some other type of contingent worker. How was the relationship between the organization and the worker different from an employer-employee relationship? What were the pros and cons for you as a worker? Hypothesize your answer if you do not have first-hand knowledge of a scenario described. Your response should be no more than 300 words. 

Case Analysis of Uber

• Analyze the market before Uber’s entry. Describe the inefficiency Uber exploited.
• Explain Uber’s surge pricing in the context of shifts in supply and demand.
• Evaluate Uber’s surge pricing in the context of price discrimination.
• Apply the concepts of economies of scale and economies of scope to Uber’s business model.
• Apply the concepts of game theory to Uber’s market.
• Assess Uber’s potential for international expansion and potential trade policy issues.
• Explain the incentive pay model Uber uses and how it affects the principal-agent problem.
• Discuss any asymmetric information issues with Uber’s business model.

Describe an example you have experience with of the principal-agent problem (for example, you have a desire for your children to listen in school and do well, while for them, goofing off at school might be much more fun), and explain how incentives can be used to overcome the principal-agent problem (such as paying your children for good grades). Include in your explanation an analysis of the risks in using incentives.Your response should be no more than 300 words

• Develop a chart to compare and contrast the cultures of two specific countries to which your organization is looking to expand. The two countries must be on different continents, and you must use a minimum of 10 criteria from established cultural frameworks.
• Write a 500-word synopsis of how culture impacts HR management in a global organization.
• Identify two employment laws for each of the two countries you are considering for expansion.
• Explain the significance of the laws and how they differ from U.S. laws or laws in your state.
• Evaluate how each law could affect your hiring process and/or organization in general.
• Identify which of the two countries you will recommend for the global expansion of your organization. Write a 500-word synopsis in which you summarize why you selected that country.
• Explain how this choice will benefit your organization.
• Finally, develop a hiring strategy for the new location, taking into consideration what you have learned about the country’s laws and culture.

Consider whether or not you should take a position in another country. Discuss what would be most important to you and what might influence you to take the position. Discuss how you can apply the concepts learned should you take this position or any other future position you might hold.Your response should be no more than 500 words.

• Identify the state where the organization is located. Is the state a right-to-work state? If yes, explain what this means. If no, explain what this means. Why are the employees deciding to unionize? What are the mandatory bargaining subjects? Other than wages and hours, what are five other terms and conditions of employment? What are permissive bargaining subjects that will be negotiated? List at least five.
• Second, you need to select members of your bargaining team. You will select four supervisors who were identified in the Unit VI Lesson. Discuss why you selected each supervisor, and compare/contrast their conflict management styles. Each supervisor must have a different conflict style. Explain how each supervisor can contribute to conflict resolution strategies used during negotiation.
• Third, explain the two collective bargaining strategies, and identify which one you will recommend your team to use. Explain and support your rationale.
• Finally, what will you propose happens if a labor management agreement is not reached by your team and the employee representatives?