Sustainable Energy Systems

The course addresses complex energy systems, including both the supply and use of energy. Examples of systems that the course may cover include municipal energy systems, such as district heating and its application in buildings, industrial energy systems that involve primary resources for electricity and heat in processes and support systems or an overview of regional energy systems from primary energy resources to their use across different sectors of society. The concept of energy systems is also expanded to include a sociotechnical systems perspective, with examples of how social components play an important role in explaining how energy systems are designed and changed. This includes how various types of policy instruments can be used to promote change over time. The course is primarily project based, where a preliminary study or case study related to a specific type of energy system is conducted. The project includes problem formulation, with partial focus on sustainable development, where execution and the presentation of results are conducted in a scientific manner. The course also covers the concepts of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and planetary boundaries, as well as practical application of methods for conducting LCA.