Undergraduate Course: Sustainable Futures in Energy (LLLL08002)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The speed at which our climate is changing due to human-origin CO2 emissions demands urgency in accelerating the shift away from our present, fossil fuel-dominated energy scene to a sustainable energy future. This course explores some of these contexts before looking in more detail at some likely key technologies (wind, solar, marine, biofuels) which will play their part in this energy transition. |
| Course description |
With approximately two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions originating from fossil fuel combustion, it is clear that if we are to develop sustainably, a transition to clean energy is central. This course will explore drivers for change - climate change and other environmental and societal impacts of our energy demands - before progressing to explore some of the technologies which can form significant components of a sustainable energy future. Students interested in this course may also be interested in "Sustainable Futures in Biological and Environmental Sciences" which can be taken in future years.
The course is divided into three parts: (i) an overall introduction to the drivers for change; (ii) an exploration of some of the key sustainable energy technologies, and (iii) a group mini-project to delve deeper into a particular area of current research. The introduction will look at where our energy comes from and what it's used for, taking a global view to appreciate the staggering differences country to country. The impacts of our current energy use on climate, the environment, and on health are explored next. The course then delves deeper into selected technologies that offer opportunities for clean energy such as wind, tidal, hydropower, solar PV, and hydrogen fuel cells, plus enabling technologies such as energy storage. The final phase of the course will be devoted to a group mini-project giving a taster of research in these areas. One session will be devoted to introducing you to concepts in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). RRI explores the ways in which a piece of research can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while also surfacing other important issues in areas such as diversity and inclusion. You will be asked to reflect upon how your mini-project work aligns with RRI.
The course has been designed to offer you a variety of different styles of learning which reflect the fact that the Learning Outcomes are not simply focused on the technical information content, but rather, on developing your academic and communication skills more widely. You will engage in lectures, followed by more detailed group explorations of further topics. Group findings will be shared with your peers via (electronic) poster sessions and discussion. The group mini-project will offer you the opportunity to work with research scientists for a taster of research in these areas, including planning and communication. The course includes a short field trip which will allow you to see some real examples of some of the topics explored in the classroom (as well as offering a break from the classroom setting!). The course teaching staff include senior academics expert in their discipline areas.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Gather information about energy from a wide variety of types of source (academic literature; government and intergovernmental reports; NGOs; industry bodies; wider media).
- Employ critical approaches when evaluating different information sources.
- Deploy an understanding of 'world view' and 'timescales for change' concepts in considering future policy and technologies in sustainable energy.
- Plan, carry out and report on a novel investigation of a topic of current interest.
- Apply concepts and tools of Responsible Research and Innovation to a new research project.
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Reading List
Recommended reading: These are only recommendations, not requirements.
You might want to look at MacKay's book before joining the course because it is available free on the internet. If you enjoy Everett et al, you might want to consider buying a new or used copy.
MacKay, David J.C., Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air £16 - £23, free on the internet via http://www.withouthotair.com/ uncompromising, thought-provoking, entertaining
Everett, Boyle, Peake & Ramage, Energy Systems and Sustainability: Power for a Sustainable Future, Oxford University Press, 2011 £41 - used copies fine; earlier editions fine wide-ranging and highly readable |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Ability to gather, organise information and data
Critical thinking
Ability to develop arguments
Group working skills
Ability to communicate in a clear and well-structured way
Ability to apply reflective practice to learning and experiences |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Angus Miller
Tel:
Email: Angus.Miller@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr John Ethcuit
Tel: (0131 6)50 3409
Email: jethcuit@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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