TRANSITIONS TO A LOW CARBON ECONOMY - 2021/2

Module Overview

Energy use and the systems put in place to supply it are responsible for the majority of the world’s emissions of carbon dioxide and hence much climate change policy is directed towards the energy sector. Energy is also central to economic development and social welfare and thus energy security and cost minimisation are high on national policy agendas. Energy markets throughout the world are also evolving rapidly, with privatisation, competition, market structure and regulation remaining prominent issues in the UK, Europe and internationally. The range of challenges for energy policy is diverse and exciting. This Module focuses on the transitions needed from the current situations in energy use, supply, markets and policy to those required as part of a long term, sustainable, low carbon energy system.

Module provider

Centre for Environment & Sustainability

Module Leader

LEACH Matthew (Civl Env Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Introduction to energy: overview of end use, supply, economics and policy


• Energy end use: current patterns and trends (including transport)


• Energy conversion and supply: overview of resources; functions of markets; focus on electricity, heat for buildings and transport fuels


• Low carbon energy options: carbon management and demand side actions; carbon capture and storage; renewables & nuclear


• Low carbon scenarios & energy system transitions; economics and timing of CO2 mitigation; links to Sustainable Development and other policy objectives


• Accelerating the transition to a low carbon economy: role of institutions, behavioural change, polic


• Open discussion on energy sector responses to climate change

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

individual essay for pre-module assignment or group project work; different choice of essay topic for post-module assignment

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

• Basic knowledge of the topic, at the start of the module


• In depth knowledge and understanding of one or more sectors or topics by the end of the module


• Ability to analyse and synthesise information to produce strategies and recommendations

• Pre-module short answer assignment linked to pre-reading, max 1000 words. Submitted by 9am on the first day of the module


• Group project work undertaken during module week; report max 5 pages. One piece of work will be submitted by 5pm on each day of the module


• 2500 word post-module individual essay. Submitted 4 weeks after the end of the module

• Feedback on the pre-module assignment, during the module week


• Feedback on the first pieces of the groupwork, during the module week


• Feedback on the group presentation made on the final day

Module aims

• develop specialist knowledge of the energy field within a more general environmental/sustainability framework
• provide students from natural science, engineering, social science and other backgrounds with a broad   understanding of   the role of energy, and of the range of economic, human and environmental impacts associated with energy systems

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Motivate students to engage with the breadth of this subject, and to learn to take a multi-disciplinary perspective, integrating technical, economic and social science understandings.


• Provide students with a thorough knowledge of a variety of approaches to analysing and developing Transitions and help them to integrate and apply their existing knowledge.

• Pre course study directed by essential readings


• Lectures, seminars, audio and video presentations


• Class discussions


• Group case study


• Post course study

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM184

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.