Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course, students will be able to:
- identify, formulate and handle questions relating to energy systems and sustainable development,
- explain the role of energy systems and their development from a socio-technical and techno-economic perspective,
- use methods to calculate resource use from a life cycle perspective and critically evaluate these,
- present and discuss, both orally and in writing, project results in a scientific manner.
Course Content
The course addresses complex energy systems, including both the supply and use of energy. Examples of systems that the course may cover include municipal energy systems, such as district heating and its application in buildings, industrial energy systems that involve primary resources for electricity and heat in processes and support systems or an overview of regional energy systems from primary energy resources to their use across different sectors of society.
The concept of energy systems is also expanded to include a sociotechnical systems perspective, with examples of how social components play an important role in explaining how energy systems are designed and changed. This includes how various types of policy instruments can be used to promote change over time.
The course is primarily project based, where a preliminary study or case study related to a specific type of energy system is conducted. The project includes problem formulation, with partial focus on sustainable development, where execution and the presentation of results are conducted in a scientific manner.
The course also covers the concepts of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and planetary boundaries, as well as practical application of methods for conducting LCA.
Assessment
- Individual written assignment
- Lab
- Project
- Seminar
Grades
The grading scale used for the final course grade is U–VG.
Grades are reported as follows:
- Hand in assignment with seminar - 1 Credit | U–G
- Laborations - 1.5 Credits | U–G
- Project - 5 Credits | U–VG
Entry Requirements
- Renewable Energy Technology 7.5 credits and Combined Heat and Power Systems 7.5 credits
Other Information
This course cannot be counted towards the same degree along with courses that have equivalent content.
If the student has received a decision/recommendation granting study support from Dalarna University because of a disability, then the examiner has the right to offer an alternative examination arrangement. The examiner takes into account the objectives in the course syllabus when deciding whether the examination can be adapted in accordance with the decision/recommendation.