Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2021 - 2022

Module Title	Energy System Decarbonisation
Module Code	EE535
School	School of Electronic Engineering
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Dr Satheesh Krishnamurthy	Office Number	S122
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

Presents core concepts in the technology and policy challenges of energy system decarbonisation, including key drivers and constraints, nationally and internationally (climate change, resource depletion, sustainable development). Enables students to engage in critical analysis of consequent technical, social, political and business policy issues.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the challenges of climate change and fossil fuel resource depletion at global and national levels.
2. Explain the system characteristics of key energy supply technologies (FF, VRE, BE, CCS, Nuclear fission).
3. Explain the system characteristics of energy consumption (sectors: heat, transport, electricity; demand reduction, efficiency, rebound).
4. Explain the potential decarbonisation roles of diverse energy conversion and storage technologies.
5. Critically assess alternative decarbonisation strategies and corresponding energy system configurations and evolution.
6. Critically discuss the interactions between climate, energy, development, ethics and justice (globally and nationally).
7. Formulate and critically assess policy proposals in relation to energy system decarbonisation.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Course Material & Discussion
Independent Study	151	Study and Assignments
Total Workload: 187

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to climate science and policy
Planetary energy balance; role of greenhouse gases; CO2 as a cumulative (stock) pollutant; risks; mitigation and adaptation; UNFCCC, Paris Agreement; temperature goals; global carbon quota; common but differentiated responsibilities and capabilities, equity, justice. Scale and urgency of required mitigation.

Energy fundamentals
Energy concept, conservation (1st Law of Thermodynamics), units, flows (power), usable energy/exergy, degradation (2nd Law of Thermodynamics), forms (mechanical, chemical, thermal etc.), conversion, efficiency, energy return on energy invested (EROEI), embodied energy, storage.

Energy supply
Dominance of fossil fuels (FF); resource depletion; variable renewables (VRE: wind, solar); Bioenergy (BE); carbon capture and storage (CCS); nuclear fission; hydro; geothermal; wave and tidal.

Energy consumption
Coupling with material needs, economic activity (GDP); efficiency, rebound; constraint, equity (national, global); sectors: heating, transport (including aviation and shipping), electricity.

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
Forestry, soil carbon, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS), enhanced weathering; interactions with the energy system.

Energy system integration and decarbonisation
Supply mix, balance, electrification of heat and transport, dealing with variability (VRE): over capacity, curtailment, storage; electricity transmission, distribution, smart grid, interconnection, demand management, demand constraint.

Policy and governance
Energy system "trilemma" (security, "sustainability", cost); regulation, market based measures; EU instruments (Renewable Energy Directive, Emissions Trading System, Effort Sharing Decision/Regulation, Governance of the Energy Union); Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQs); carbon taxation; ethics, equity, just transition; roles of government, business, citizens; societal communication and engagement.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable

Indicative Reading List

Richard Heinberg, David Fridley: 2016, Our Renewable Future: Laying the Path for One Hundred Percent Clean Energy, Post-Carbon Institute, 978-161091779
David MacKay: 2009, Sustainable Energy - without the Hot Air, UIT Cambridge, 978-095445293
Henrik Lund: 2014, Renewable energy systems: a smart energy systems approach to the choice and modeling of 100% renewable solutions, 2, Academic Press, 9780124104235
Walt Patterson: 2015, Electricity Vs Fire: The Fight For Our Future, 978-099326120

Other Resources

38558, website, European Commission, 0, [EU] 2030 climate & energy framework, https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2030_en, 38559, website, David Connolly, 2014, Green Plan Ireland, http://dconnolly.net/greenplanireland/, 38560, film, Trócaire, 2016, The Burning Question [documentary], http://tinyurl.com/yckeqeyw,

Programme or List of Programmes

Archives:

CAMC	GCert CA Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng
CAMG	GDip C.A. Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng
CAMIM	MEng in Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng
CHPM	Master of Science
EEPD	PhD
EEPM	MEng
EEPT	PhD-track
GCECE	Grad Cert. in Electronic & Computer Eng
GCES	Grad Cert. in Electronic Systems
GCESD	G Cert in Energy Systems Decarbonisation
GCTC	Grad Cert. in Telecommunications Eng.
GDE	Graduate Diploma in Electronic Systems
GDSES	Grad Dip in Sustainable Energy Systems
GTC	Grad Dip in Telecommunications Eng
MECE	MEng Electronic & Computer Engineering
MECEW	MEng In Electronic & Comp Eng. (Wuhan)
MEPD	PhD
MEPM	MEng
MEPT	PhD-track
MEQ	Masters Engineering Qualifier Course
MMME	MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Eng
MTC	MEng in Telecommunications Engineering
PHPT	PhD-track
SMPEC	Single Module Programme (Eng & Comp)