Topics will be lectured in the following sequence:
- Overview of the physical concepts of Energy and Power
- Detailed overview of energy needs and energy production in general
- Future forms of energy production
- Present and future energy carriers
- External costs related to different energy technologies, particularly the impact on health and environment
- Nuclear power (fission)
- Established technology (first and second generation plants)
- Present and future plants (third and fourth generation plants)
- Future possibilities will also cover nuclear reactor systems based on Thorium.
- Present the problems of nuclear radiation, waste management and nuclear proliferation issues
- Nuclear power based on fusion and the ITER project
A special theme is related to the fact that most of the future energy will be carried by electricity. This will lead to important new infrastructure requirements like for instance transfer of road transport to rail transport, and will probably also lead to changes in urban planning and structures.
The different parts of the course will be the basis for possible student case studies (internet based if necessary) and presented in a written report.