Syllabus 2010/2011 FMI050

Syllabus academic year 2010/2011
(Created 2010-07-25.)

ENERGY SYSTEMS ANALYSIS: ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

FMI050

Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: A (Second Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. FMI050 overlaps following cours/es: FMI051. Optional for: C4, D4, E4, E4em, F4, F4es, I4, Pi4, W4es. Course coordinator: Per Svenningsson, per.svenningsson@miljo.lth.se, Environmental and Energy Systems Studies. Recommended prerequisits: Minimum 130 higher education credits within an engineering program. Assessment: A written exam. The final grade of the course follows from the result of the exam, but the quality of the assignments (below) may add points to the exam. Two assignments (individual or in small groups) are required. The first assignment is a short literature study that analyses some important issue of the course, and is presented in the form of a short scientific report, which is also defended orally. The second assignment comprises economic and/or technical calculations relevant to sustainable energy systems, that are to be accompanied by an independent critical evaluation. In addition, a book review must be presented in writing, and orally. Home page: http://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 independent analyses in the scientific field of the course, in writing as well as orally.
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.