MEEN40900

Energy systems drive all economies; provide essential heating, cooling, and desalination services; and underpin services in medicine, education, transport, communications and many other areas. To date, and for the foreseeable future, the vast majority of the energy supply has, and will continue to, come from fossil fuels. However, unprecedented growth in global population and economic development has led to an exponential growth in energy demand. The finite nature of the fossil-fuel resource, coupled with growing awareness of the impact their consumption has on the global environment, presents a practical and ethical dilemma: how can current and future energy demands be met in an equitable and sustainable manner?
This module begins with a review of historic and projected energy demand, by region and by fuel. The connections between energy use and economic growth are explored, and the assumptions on which demand projections are predicated are considered. This is followed by an introduction to the physics of greenhouse gases (GHG), in which the connection to combustion chemistry is elucidated.
This leads on to a review and discussion of Energy and Climate policies in Ireland, and in the world's major economies. The module then proceeds to a review of existing and emerging alternatives to fossil fuels, including renewables (biomass, wind, solar, marine, hydro), and energy efficiency.
In addition to lectures, students are required to submit a small number of written assignments during the module. These assignments are designed to reinforce, or extend, students' investigation of a particular area of the course, and to develop their wrtitten communication skills.
The recommended text to accompany the module is: "Energy Systems Engineering". Vanek & Albright, McGraw-Hill.