This module addresses the issues surrounding power supply with particular emphasis on electricity generation; a system of supply with several competing technologies.  The content ranges from technical detail (the engineering) through to national and international policy making.

Completion of the progress requirements of Level HE2

Upon successful completion of the module you will be able to:

• Compare attributes of the various forms of industrial, transport and domestic energy provision

   

• Apply and perform basic engineering calculations relating to energy supply

   

• Explain the advantages and difficulties of mixed supply.

   

• Understand the requirements and costs of the electricity distribution system (national grid)

   

• Explain the basic science behind phenomena such as global warming and the ozone hole

   

• Appraise the issues and strategy behind international agreements such as Kyoto

   

• Discuss how the is to meet its obligations through the Energy White Paper etc.

   

• Have an appreciation of some of the differing views held by pressure groups and politicians (e.g. on nuclear energy)

   

The forms of industrial, transport and domestic energy provision:

• Industrial:

   

  • Power Stations (Coal, Oil, Gas, Nuclear, Wind, Biomass, Solar, Wave etc.)

     

  • Direct use (e.g. Furnaces) and CHP (Combined Heat and Power)

     

• Domestic: (Wood, Coal, Coke, Gas, Electricity, Solar)

   

• Transport: (Electricity, Petrol, Diesel, Gas, Heavy Oil, Solar, Animal, Biomass)

   

Basic engineering calculations that apply to the energy sector.

Revision of the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, Carnot engines and maximum efficiency, steam cycles, gas turbines, refrigeration and air-conditioning.  Saving energy; thermal insulation of houses, industrial buildings and chemical plant.  Thermal cycles of BAT power stations (coal/oil, gas, nuclear, biomass).  CHP (e.g. Sugar factory).

The advantages and difficulties of mixed supply.

The electricity pool.  Start up and shut down times.  Storage systems.  When are wind, wave and solar available.

The requirements and costs of the electricity distribution system (national grid)

Distribution of generating sites and demand in the .  The need for redundancy.

Transmission losses and other running costs.  Switch gear.  Capital costs.  The great North American blackout.

The issues and strategy behind international agreements such a Kyoto .

·         Ozone hole (causes and solutions); an example of a successful international co-operation.

·         Global warming (causes and solutions). consumption.  Global consumption.  Rio, Kyoto , what next? 

·         EU vs. US views.  A view from the developing world (e.g. and ).

obligations associated with the Energy White Paper etc.

·         Dash for gas.  What happens when the gas runs out?  Energy saving measures (insulation, more efficient cars, CHP, CO₂ credits etc.).  Tax policy.

More radical views held by pressure groups and politicians (e.g. on nuclear energy). 

The French government view.  The German view.  Friends of the earth.  Greenpeace.  Nuclear as the zero CO₂ source of energy.  Will fusion replace fission?

30 hours of classroom contact involving lectures with embedded tutorial sessions, 2 hour exam and 68 hours of independent learning (including 25 hours for the case study and report preparation).

Total student learning time 100 hours.