Syllabus 2008/2009 FMI051

Syllabus academic year 2008/2009
(Created 2008-07-17.)

ENERGY SYSTEMS ANALYSIS: ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

FMI051

Higher education credits: 4,5. Grading scale: TH. Level: A (Second level). Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. FMI051 overlap following cours/es: FMI050 och FMI050. Optional for: F4. Course coordinator: Per Svenningsson, per.svenningsson@miljo.lth.se, Miljö- och energisystem. Recommended prerequisits: Minimum 130 higher education credits within the program. Assessment: A written exam. The final grade of the course follows from the result of the exam, but the quality of the assignment (below) may add points to the exam. One individual assignment is required, consisting of a short literature study that analyses some important issue of the course. It is presented in the form of a short scientific report, which is also defended orally. In addition, the student must submit two short reviews in writing, and they will also be discussed in a seminar. The reviews should focus subjects relevant to the strategies for sustainable energy systems presented in the course, and they should be based on articles from both popular and scientific publications. Home page: http://www.miljo.lth.se.

Aim
The course provides an understanding of the complex interconnections between energy and resource use, and large-scale environmental problems. Different qualitative strategies to attain a sustainable energy system are critically evaluated from different perspectives. The course departs from already acquired knowledge and relates it to the issue of sustainability.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to describe the scientific mechanisms behind certain important environmental and resource problems/issues, and how they relate to the supply and use of energy.
Be able to critically evaluate and compare different long-term strategies for a sustainable supply and use of energy
Be able to describe and evaluate different policy instruments, aiming at a sustainable energy system

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to present an independent analysis, in writing as well as orally, of a current issue in the field of the course.
Be able to utilize and evaluate a complex international source material within the field of the course

Contents
As an introduction, energy systems are presented from technical and economical perspectives, and it is described how they relate to large-scale environmental and global security-related problems. The concept of energy services is the basis for the understanding of the different parts of the energy chain: extraction/supply conversion final use. Analytical methods and models of energy systems development are presented.

Different environmental and security-related problems relevant to the use of energy and resources are discussed: climate change; resource conflicts/global security; nuclear weapons proliferation.

Various social/economic issues that are interconnected with the use and supply of energy in both industrial and developing countries, and are relevant to sustainable development, are presented and discussed.

A large part of the course treats qualitative strategies for attaining sustainable energy systems: more efficient systems for the supply, distribution and final use of energy; more renewable energy; more advanced fossil technologies; more nuclear power.

Institutional/organisational issues, such as policy instruments (legislation, taxes/fees etc.) are discussed in a critical perspective as well as international organisations and treaties/conventions.

During the course, references are made to national and international research in the relevant fields, and to the international political and economic debate.

Literature
Boyle, G., Everett, B., Ramage, J., Energy Systems and Sustainability, Power for a Sustainable Future (Oxford University Press 2003) ISBN 0-19-926179-2
Scientific articles, reports and statistics.