2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MECH5320M Energy Systems, Policy and Economics for Engineers

15 creditsClass Size: 75

Module manager: Professor T Cockerill
Email: T.Cockerill@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Bachelor degree in Science, Engineering or equivalent.

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This module will introduce students with engineering backgrounds to some key issues in energy systems, including policy and economics. While the intention is to provide a broad grounding, the breadth of the subject means that the module cannot attempt to be comprehensive. Instead, there will be a focus on those technical elements of policy and economics that impact directly on the work of the engineer in the energy industry. The module will bring out the way in which engineering, policy, and micro-economics are uniquely intertwined within the energy domain. The majority of the material will be qualitative in nature, but comprehensive quantitative and analytical skills will be required to gain full value from the module.

Learning outcomes
On successfully completing this module, students will be able to:
(1) Describe the key challenges facing the UK energy system, and some of the engineering systems available to help solve them
(2) Articulate the role of engineers in facilitating the move to a sustainable energy system, and the need to work with policy makers and economists
(3) Use their understanding of energy systems, policy and economics to frame the engineering development of new energy technologies, thereby enhancing the likelihood that such technologies will have an impact
(4) Explain why certain energy technologies have been successful, while others have failed to have an impact, and set out the implications for future development
(5) Quantitatively evaluate the financial feasibility of potential investments in energy technologies
(6) Use selected analytical and modeling techniques to compare the potential of differing technical, policy and social approaches to developing a sustainable energy system.

Syllabus

Overview of energy systems and technologies; Introduction to energy policy & economics; Integrated approaches to energy systems; Technology issues in energy policy; Investment appraisal for energy systems; Principles of energy economics and markets; Social issues; Electricity systems and markets; Energy systems models; Case studies.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	9	2.00	18.00
Tutorial	2	2.00	4.00
Tutorial	8	1.00	8.00
Private study hours			120.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

READING, REVIEW & RESEARCH (50 hours): In view of the interdisciplinary nature of the module, and the engineering background of the students, there will be a significant quantity of supporting reading required. There will be specific reading and follow up research for each major element of the module.
ASSESSED COURSE WORK (40 hours): Two course work assignments will be set with the students working in groups to assimilate and analyse data, then producing a short individual report.
FORMATIVE COURSE WORK (30 hours): Selected lectures will set non-assessed follow-up exercises (e.g. numerical exercises on energy investment appraisal) for students to complete in their own time.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress will be monitored in a formative way by the review of exercises/presentations during tutorial classes and in a summative way by marking of the coursework reports

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Project Report 1500 words	30.00
Oral Presentation	10 minute group presentations	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

Where students are required to resit the coursework, this will take the form of a 2000 word project report with the same overall specification as the main project report. This extended report will be worth 40% of the module mark, as it replaces both the 1500 word report and the presentation. Students will be required to choose a different topic from any original submission, to be agreed in advance with the module manager. Students will be permitted a 4 week period during the summer to complete the report.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Unseen exam	2 hr	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 15/05/2017

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