Energy supply, economics and transition

ENG-410 / 2 credits

Teacher(s): Ballif Christophe, Binder Signer Claudia Rebeca, Thalmann Philippe

Language: English

Summary

This course examines energy systems from various angles: available resources, how they can be combined or substituted, their private and social costs, whether they can meet the energy demand, and how the transition to a renewable energy system can be fostered.

Content

Energy resources and reduction of CO2 emissions (Christophe Ballif)

  • Current and future CO2 and CO2 equivalent emissions, impact on climate
  • Available resources and their properties (finite resources like fossil, nuclear fuel, vs hydro, non-hydro, renewable resources such as solar, wind, geothermal biomass)
  • Energy statistics, direct cost of various energy sources, direct levelised cost electricity (LCOE)
  • General aspects of energy transition, scenarios and expectations, at world, European and Swiss level
  • Support to the energy transition: efficiency, heat pumps, electric mobility, power-to-gas, short term and long term storage solutions, smart grids, carbon storage

Energy economics (Philippe Thalmann, Sascha Nick)

  • Decoupling: What it means, what it takes; green growth
  • Energy economics: basic financial calculation, asset stranding, investment choice, levelized cost of electricity
  • Energy, human needs and well-being
  • Limits to market governance of energy in societal transitions

Energy transition (Claudia R. Binder and team)

  • Governance perspectives and social-technical dimensions
  • Energy system transitions (from a fossil fuel to a CO2 neutral system) as socio-technical change processes
  • Insights into drivers and barriers for the socio-technical transition of the energy system
  • Key actors in the Swiss energy sector
  • Energy modelling and its challenges

Case study: a CO2-neutral energy system in Switzerland

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Critique theories and proposals related to energy supply
  • Propose various scenarios for energy systems and their evolution
  • Reason on technical, social, political and economic issues
  • Explain the relationships between physical energy resources and energy supply
  • Differentiate between scientific and propaganda arguments
  • Restate concepts and mechanisms seen in class

Transversal skills

  • Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
  • Set objectives and design an action plan to reach those objectives.
  • Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
  • Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.

Teaching methods

In-depth teaching and educational support.

Assessment methods

Written examen, multiple choice

Supervision

Office hours No
Assistants Yes
Forum Yes

Resources

Moodle Link

Videos

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Energy supply, economics and transition
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Energy supply, economics and transition
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Energy supply, economics and transition
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Energy supply, economics and transition
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Energy supply, economics and transition
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Energy supply, economics and transition
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Energy supply, economics and transition
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Energy supply, economics and transition
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Energy supply, economics and transition
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Energy supply, economics and transition
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Energy supply, economics and transition
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

Related courses

Results from graphsearch.epfl.ch.