Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:
1. Explain the historical and anticipated evolution of energy demand, by region and fuel type.
2. Explain, analyse, and discuss the potential impacts of fossil-fuel combustion on local and global scales.
3. Discuss the political, ethical, and technological tensions associated with growing energy demand.
4. Identify potential areas of tension between the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN SDGs.
5. Judge the physical, societal, economic and technical constraints on fossil-fuel based power generation, currently and into the future.
6. Assess the potential of alternative and renewable energy sources to supplement, and/or replace, conventional fuels in this role, and to contribute to achieving the UN SDGs.
Indicative Module Content:
This module will address the following topics:
Energy supply & demand: perspectives in time and space
The role of energy in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Combustion, CO2, and Climate Change
Climate change: what is it, exactly, and how do we measure and predict it?
Reconciling the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, with the UN SDGs.
Energy and Climate Policies - Irish, EU, and global perspectives
Choosing amongst alternative energy systems
Displacing fossil-fuel combustion - challenges & opportunities, including:
Wind, Marine, and Solar energy
Energy efficiency
Nuclear power
Hydrogen