Course syllabus - Sustainable Energy Systems

Objectives

The aim of the course is to give the participants a deeper understanding of the possibilities and limitations of the future's sustainable energy system.
 The course will provide knowledge of important thermodynamic applications for energy conversion processes, mainly steam cycles, refrigeration / heat pump processes and gas turbines.
The course will also provide knowledge about how energy from sun, wind and hydropower can be utilized for electricity production.
After the course, you will be familiar with the function of the components that are part of different energy systems and to carry out simpler dimensions of these.
The course aims at developing the student's individual ability regarding written presentations, information seeking, critical review of information, literature and other material.

Learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to:
1. describe and apply the concept of sustainable development to an extent that an analysis can be made of different strategies for sustainable energy supply, taking into account ecological, economic and social aspects
2. perform thermodynamic calculations in different types of circular processes such as Carnot, Brayton, Rankine and for the cooling/heat pump
3. explain the principle of different types of power and heat generation and the components that occur in power and heating systems
4. declare the principle of solar energy and wind energy for electricity
5. show broad knowledge of solar and wind power and perform calculations in these areas
6. use word processing, calculation and presentation programs on computer for scientific written and oral presentations
7. have some knowledge of research and development work in sustainable energy system

Course content

The course provides basic knowledge on issues that concern society's energy supply and sustainable development.
 The course includes a review of thermodynamic cycles for conversion of heat to mechanical energy, steam cycle, gas turbine cycle and the cooling / heat pump process.
The course gives an overview of solar, wind and hydropower with regard to technical solutions, environmental impact, economics, problems and opportunities.

Tuition

Lectures, calculations, seminars, supervision
The course uses an educational (web-based) platform for communication

Specific requirements

45 credits within the MSc programme in Industrial Economics, which includes 2,5 credits thermodynamics, or similar course.

Examination

Assignment (INL1), 1 credit, grade Pass (G) (learning outcomes 1,6)
Assignment (INL2), 2 credits, grades 3, 4 or 5 (learning outcomes 2,3,6)
Assignment (INL3), 3 credits, grades 3, 4 or 5 (learning outcomes 4,5,6)
Seminari (SEM1), 1,5 credit, grade Pass (G) (learning outcomes 1,6,7)

Mandatory attendance at seminars.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass with credit, Pass, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course overlaps 1 credit with OAH108 Introduction to Energy Engineering, 2 credits with ERA102 Applied Thermodynamics and 4,5 credits with ERA204 Introduction to Sustainable Energy System