2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MECH5320M Energy Systems, Policy and Economics for Engineers

15 creditsClass Size: 130

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Bachelor degree in Science, Engineering or equivalent.

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module will introduce students with engineering backgrounds to some key issues in energy systems, including policy and economics. It will be of particular value to engineering students planning to work in the energy sector.

Objectives

The module aims to provide a broad grounding in energy systems, but the breadth of the subject means that it cannot attempt to be comprehensive. Instead, there is 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 explores the way in which engineering, policy, and micro-economics are uniquely intertwined within the energy domain. The majority of the material, and assessment, will be qualitative in nature, but comprehensive quantitative and analytical skills will be required to gain full value from the module.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes :
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.

Upon successful completion of this module the following Engineering Council Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP) learning outcome descriptors (fourth edition) are satisfied:
7. Formulate and analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions. This will involve evaluating available data using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles, and using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed. (M2)
8. Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems. (M4)
9. Design solutions for complex problems that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health and safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards. (M5)
10. Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems (to include the entire life-cycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts. (M7)

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:

Commercial awareness, Systems thinking, Critical thinking, Information searching

Syllabus

1. Overview of energy systems and technologies;
2. Introduction to energy policy & economics;
3. Integrated approaches to energy systems;
4. Technology issues in energy policy;
5. Investment appraisal for energy systems;
6. Principles of energy economics and markets;
7. Social issues;
8. Electricity systems and markets;
9. Energy systems models;
10. Case studies.

Methods of Assessment

We are currently refreshing our modules to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full assessment details for this module are not available before the start of the academic year, at which time details of the assessment(s) will be provided.

Assessment for this module will consist of;

1 x Report
1 x Oral Presentation
1 x In-person open Book exam

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	8	2.00	16.00
Seminar	2	2.00	4.00
Seminar	7	1.00	7.00
Independent online learning hours			4.00
Private study hours			119.00
Total Contact hours			27.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

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

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/04/2024

Disclaimer

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• Undergraduate module catalogue
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