NIGK13005U Energy Systems and Climate Mitigation

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Climate Change
MSc Programme in Environmental Science

Content

The purpose of the course is to provide the student a fundamental understanding of energy systems, the associated energy technologies and their climate impact. Special emphasis will be given to renewable energy technologies. The course consists of the following themes:

 

1. Energy concepts and thermodynamics. 

2. Energy and economic development. 

3. Renewable and non-renewable energy resources and energy technologies 

4. Energy production and it’s climate impacts. 

5. Energy systems management

6. Case study: Planning a renewable energy supply

Learning Outcome

 A student having completed the course will be able to: 

Knowledge: 

  • Understand and describe the interrelations between energy systems and the climate.
  • Describe the renewable energy technologies available to mitigate climate change. 


Skills: 

  • Analyze exsisting energy systems, at all scales, and their contributions to climate change and mitigation. 
  • Evaluate the appropriateness of alternative strategies for transformation of the energy systems for climate change mitigation. 


Compentences: 

  • Contribute constructively to the design of sustainable energy systems at all scales.
  • Work in inter-disciplinary groups to solve problems related to energy systems and climate change mitigation.

Please see Absalon.

Basic understanding of natural and anthropogenic drivers of climate change or qualifications corresponding to the course Climate Change, an Interdisciplinary Challenge, and the course Climate Change - Impacts, Adaption and Mitigation.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended. Some exercises require basic mathematical skills equivalent to introductory courses in mathematics on BSc level.
Teaching is based on a mix of class room lectures, individual work on exercises, self-study, group work and student presentations. Furthermore an excursion to a power plant is organised.
A number of external lecturers are invited to teach on specific topics as e.g. fossil resources and nuclear energy.
To provide the student hands on experience a significant part of the course is allocated to a self-elected case project on planning/​designing/​proposing a renewable energy supply.
The course curriculum builds on a textbook(s) together with lecture notes and articles. Notes and articles are made available on Absalon.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 70
  • Preparation
  • 50
  • Theory exercises
  • 78
  • Excursions
  • 8
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Collective
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)

Feedback is provided in various forms throughout the course. Teacher’s oral feedback on exercises, on-line quizzes, students own reflections over learning progress and peer feedback.

Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Type of assessment details
The exam consists of two individual essays based on the course content. The first essay is handed in douring the course and counts for 1/3 of the final grade. The second essay is handed in at the end of the course and counts for 2/3 of the final grade. The course is passed when the weighted average of the two grades is 02 or above.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

As the ordinary exam. Both essays are to be handed in before the re-exam week.

Criteria for exam assesment

Please see learning outcome.