The course provide an overview of the present global energy situation including challenges related to a growing population. Each energy source and potential future energy sources are discussed in a physical, environmental and economic perspective.
Knowledge
After the course, students:
- Understand the different energy transformation principles in nature and the power concept.
- Understand the processes that control the climate on Earth and how humans interact with it.
- Know the sources of energy available, potential cost and limitations of each energy resource.
- Understand the economic characteristics of power plants based on alternative and conventional energy forms.
Skills
After the course, students:
- Are able to use basic formulas and devices to make their own calculations and assessments on energy resources.
- Are able to calculate the current costs of each technology and make prediction on future costs based on various scenarios.