Energy and Environment

The course is an introduction to further studies in the Energy and Environment study program, and therefore it will give an overview and a broad understanding of the subject area. It will provide an overview of the following topics:

• The environment as a framework for energy
• Energy resources and energy use
• Methods for energy conversion and environmental impacts for electricity, heating, and cooling
• Heating and cooling methods and consequent environmental impacts
• Energy conversions in industry and buildings
• Energy flexibility and distribution of district heating
• Electrical energy, electricity as energy carrier and the infrastructure associated with this.
• Electricity market and price formation
• Planning and sizing of energy supply
• Energy balance and environmental assessment.

Knowledge: The course provides the student with knowledge about key challenges and technologies in energy use, utilization of energy resources, energy conversion and environmental consequences

The course gives the student insight about the following:

• The environment as a framework for energy use and the exploitation of energy resources
• An overview of energy recourses and energy use
• Conversion methods for electric power and heating/cooling generation, and their consequences on the environment
• Energy efficiency in industry and buildings
• District heating systems
• Technology, distribution and infrastructure in the Nordic electric power system
• How the system for electric power transmission are built up
• The trade in the Nordic electric power market (Nord Pool)
• Heat balance and energy supply for buildings
• Drivers for energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
• Life cycle thinking and environmental impacts from energy production
• Energy and the UN's sustainability goals

Skills: The course should enable students to: - use basic knowledge about different forms of conversion, transport, and use of electricity and heating /cooling to solve simple problems, and to use the knowledge to explain the relationship between the use of energy resources and environmental impacts.

General competence: After ended course: - The student should have basic competence regarding environmental impacts arising from different energy carriers and technical solutions - The student should be able to apply this competence in the further study. - The student should be able to work in team.

Emphasis is placed on the students getting a good overview of the topics dealing with the other courses in the Energy and Environment study program. The course is structured around problem-based learning exercises and laboratory exercises. These are linked to introductory lectures by teachers and possibly invited professionals. The assessment includes problem-based learning exercises that are organized as a group work, a presentation for other students, and a group report. To pass the course, all the problem-based learning exercises must be passed with a score of at least 70% at each assignment. In addition, all laboratory exercises/demonstrations must be approved.