ESS421 Energy Commodities I.

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Tomáš Vlček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Tomáš Vlček, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Timetable
Tue 8:00–9:40 U53
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to cover the basic trends of the technological and the economic aspects of an energy sector. The main attention is focused on explaining the mechanisms and operation of energy machinery and some important features of technology and economy/economics for conducting an energy-focused research or assessing an energy policy. The course thus deals mostly with three main areas: the production chain and the energy use of commodity, the relation between energy and economy, and how the energy commodities are marketed. The course Energy Commodities I consists of topics of coal, nuclear energy, renewables, all around electricity utility sector. Electrification of industry and consumption is a modern trend increasing the demands on production and quality of electricity. The course thus responds to modern up to date trends in worldwide development of energy usage.
Learning outcomes
Student will be able to understand basics of electricity production; understand pros and cons of individual energy sources and explain their value chains in the whole production cycle; will be able to make well-supported arguments in the issues of new energy sources; and will be able to interpret basic academic power energy texts of technical nature.
Syllabus
  • 1) Introductory Session 2) Introduction to Electricity Systems I 3) Introduction to Electricity Systems II 4) Introduction to Electricity Systems III 5) Coal and Steam Power Plants 6) Nuclear Fuel Cycle I 7) Nuclear Fuel Cycle II 8) Environmental Aspects of Nuclear Energy 9) Field trip 10) Reading Week 11) Renewable Energy Sources 12) Energy Systems and Electricity Markets 13) The Future of Energy
Literature
    required literature
  • SOVACOOL, Benjamin K. Contesting the future of nuclear power : a critical global assessment of atomic energy. Singapore: World Scientific, 2011, x, 296. ISBN 9789814322751. info
  • NERSESIAN, Roy L. Energy for the 21st century : a comprehensive guide to conventional and alternative sources. 2nd ed. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 2010, xiv, 401. ISBN 9780765624123. info
  • SMIL, Vaclav. Energy : a beginner's guide. Oxford: Oneworld publications, 2006, ix, 218. ISBN 9781851684526. info
  • BODANSKY, David. Nuclear energy : principles, practices, and prospects. 2nd ed. New York: Springer, 2004, xxii, 693. ISBN 0387207783. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, in-class discussions, reading of course-related literature
Assessment methods
SWOT analysis and its presentation, mid-term test, exam
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Spring 2017, Spring 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2019/ESS421