Energy and Climate Change
Code
10387
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Ciências e Engenharia do Ambiente
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
João Miguel Dias Joanaz de Melo, Maria Júlia Fonseca de Seixas
Weekly hours
4
Total hours
54
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
The students should acquire basic knowledge on the workings of global institutions and instruments, knowledge of the relationships between energy and climate change on a global scale as well as on more specific aspects of policies and instruments for controlling emissions of greenhouse gases, namely at the company level. They should acquire working knowledge of efficient energy use, including energy auditing method. They should also acquire overview knowledge of energy systems, especially on decentralized renewable energy, and its importance to a low carbon economy.
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
-Assess and prepare the groundwork for a climate change strategy at the enterprise level;
-Evaluate and criticize energy options, with emphasis on renewable technologies;
-Develop a plan for energy efficiency of a dwelling.
Prerequisites
Students should have a background on engineering sciences, environmental impact assessment, economics and environmental law.
Subject matter
1. Introduction to the course: objectives and importance in the context of training and profession Eng Environment; fundamentals of energy. 2. International institutions and global environment policy. 3. Overview of global energy resources, consumption patterns and prices of primary energy comodities. 4. Climate change (CC): carbon cycle and greenhouse gas emissions, evidence of impacts of CC. CC scenarios and expected impacts. 5. Carbon economy: basic concepts and functioning of the European emission trading scheme. 6. Seminar: business strategies for climate change. 7. Energy technologies: production and use of energy. 8. Seminar: renewable energy and new technologies. 9. Efficient energy: buildings, industry and transport. 10. Energy certification of households. 11. Management and energy audit. 12. Seminar: domestic energy plan. 13. Introduction to modeling and long-term energy planning, with a focus on low-carbon futures.
Bibliography
Houghton, J. (2009). Global Warming: The Complete Briefing. Cambridge University Press, 4th edition. ISBN: 0521709164.
Tester, J.W., Drake, E.M., Golay, M.W., Driscoll, M.J. and Peters, W.A. (2005). Sustainable Energy - Choosing Among Options. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, US. ISBN: 0262201534.
Birnie, P.W., Boyle, A.E., Redgwell, C. (2009). International Law and the Environment. Oxford University Press, 3rd edition. ISBN: 0198764227.
IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4), Contribution of Working Group II 2007. and Contribution of Working Group III , 2007. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.
Teaching method
Teaching methods include three formats:
a) Lectures, with frequent questioning of students towards their participation including presentation of concrete situations on which they have to express an opinion and / or decision.
b) Two seminars streamlined by the students who have to present a topic for discussion.
c) Execution of works with theoretical and practical research.
Evaluation method
Evaluation includes: 1) Paper "efficiency of an energy equipment (e.g. water heater)" (5%, individual); 2) Seminar "Business strategy for climate change" (20%, groups of two); 3) Seminar "Renewable resources and technologies" (20%, groups of two); 4) Home energy plan (40%, individual); 5) Test (15%, individual). Delays in the delivery of assignments and absence in mandatory classes imply penalties in grading.