Energy, economy and society

A reliable, affordable and clean energy supply is of major importance for society, economy and the environment – and will prove to be crucial in the 21st century. You, as a future engineer, will be shaping the transformation from a fossil-powered society to one based on renewable sources. Before you can do that, you will first have to know and understand the role of energy in the economy and society - and that is what this course is about.

We will start by highlighting the importance of energy, the big issues that we are facing and the need for an energy transition to avert disastrous climate change and prevent supply shocks in non-renewable and renewable resources, as well as energy poverty and access issues in the Global South. We will draw lessons from energy transitions in the past (from traditional biomass to coal, and from coal to oil & gas) to understand how such a process evolves, and across the world.

The "Global Challenges" block comprises a set of lectures that delve into the nature of the main transition challenges: the worldwide climate change problem, challenges in the Global South, and challenges in the Global North. We differentiate between North and South because their challenges are substantially different. In the Global South, the phase-out of fossil fuel dependence has to be accompanied by improved energy access: a double challenge. In the Global North, existing well-developed energy systems need to be overhauled for decarbonization, entailing further electrification powered by renewables and involving energy storage; a shift to cleaner gas resources such as green hydrogen and biogas; transition in heating systems, CO2 capture & storage; and higher energy efficiency. We zoom in specifically on the need to redesign electricity systems, considering the expanded role electricity is expected to play.

In the next block, marked "Energy system" we examine the current structure and trends in world energy supply and demand. We will develop a quantitative understanding of the global energy system, and that different countries have taken different energy pathways. We will pinpoint where the current main issues are that need to be addressed in the transition to a renewable energy-powered future, who are the main players and what is their role in the current system. The energy balance concept is a handy tool that we use to study stocks and flows of energy of different kinds at the global level and you will go on a world tour and study different countries in class. You will use actual IEA data.

Once we have gained a good view of the main problems and recent developments, we are ready to proceed with instruments and tools for steering the transition. In your lecture schedule, the sessions in this second part of the course are marked as "Toolbox". In addition to lectures, the toolbox part of the course will comprise tutorials and two practical group assignments in order to give you hands-on experience.  We introduce a range of instruments to analyze and manage energy supply and energy demand in the short / medium term; and other instruments in support of decision making on energy investments and policy in the long term. We focus on estimation of profitability, economic efficiency and  environmental performance. Tools and concepts include: energy demand analysis through estimation, financial and social cost benefit analysis, levelized cost of energy, energy return on energy investment, basic multicriteria analysis principles for analyzing energy investment choices; and the essentials of environmental and social impact analysis.

The final part of the course then focuses on policies and actions to address the challenges of the energy transition – i.e., we revisit the issues already flagged in the first block of lectures: geopolitics, energy security, energy poverty and climate change. In the lecture schedule, this block is marked as "Policy". In particular, possibilities and limitations of (inter)national policies will be discussed, e.g., stimulation of renewables and the operationalization of the Paris climate agreement. As in the first block, we contrast high-income and low-income countries.

In the final leg of the course, called "Applications", we will make it very practical, with an energy policy workshop and a panel discussion with actors in the energy system, for instance a policymaker, the director of an environment & development organization, someone from industry or a journalist.

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Analyze energy problems by applying an energy systems perspective (primary sources, conversion, distribution, end use; energy balances);
2. Explain the functioning of energy markets and evaluate how policies, regulations and investment projects can contribute to the energy transition;
3. Use and critically reflect on quantitative and qualitative energy decision-making analysis tools;
4. Distinguish stakeholders perspectives and evaluate possible synergies and trade-offs between economic, social and environmental goals concerning the energy transition;

Je moet voldoen aan één van de onderstaande verzamelingen met eisen

• Verzameling 1
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) afgerond
• Verzameling 2
• Schakelprogramma afgerond

• A variety of papers, reports and data sources. Access through the syllabus in the Canvas course folder. .