Energy Systems and Policy

Module Title - Energy Systems and Policy 
Number of credits – 10

Module description

Energy systems are complex. In order to supply enough energy to satisfy domestic, industrial and commercial demand governments at national and local level need to ensure that sufficient technology and infrastructure is in place and maintained, whilst simultaneously ensuring that future need is anticipated and planned for. Complicating factors are always present, such as requirements to reduce environmental impacts and desires to reduce energy costs to consumers.

The aim of this module is to give students an introduction to energy systems, and an overview of the demand for and supply of energy, the technologies involved, and the main economic and policy issues.

The topics covered are: The demand for energy, fossil fuels, electricity generation (conventional, nuclear and renewable), hydrogen, electricity networks, electricity markets, investment decisions, energy security, energy and the environment, and energy policy.

By the end of the module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the main demands for energy and how they are currently met.
• Critically appraise how demands for energy are likely to change in future.
• Critically analyse the main economic, environmental and political forces affecting the energy industries, particularly in the UK.