Energy Resources

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
The module explores key social, environmental and political issues affecting energy resource provision. The module covers key events dating back to the 1940s although the focus is on the current energy context in the UK and its future prospects.

Aims:

- provide an overview of the past and present roles of different energy resources in the UK
- consider UK energy policy and the changing energy mix through to 2030
- consider issues of resource and political security related to different energy resources, including coal, oil, gas, renewables and nuclear.
- consider social, economic, environmental and public health factors associated with utilisation of these resources.
- provide understanding of the resource, supply and demand issues associated with the major energy resources

Assessable learning outcomes:
On completion of this module it is expected that a participant will:

- understand past, present and future importance of different energy resources to the UK energy mix
- have a critical awareness of how energy resource issues incorporate social, political and environmental factors
- understand the rationale and objectives of current energy policy
Additional outcomes:
Participants will develop their skills in accessing information in the library and on the Internet. The topical nature of module content will require access to current news and information sources.

Outline content:
Provisional content includes:

UK Energy Mix 1970-2012

Coal: Reserves & dependency, Environmental impact relative to other energy resources, political history of coal in the UK, Marshall Aid.

Oil: Oil industry history; Oil and conflict, Suez, Iran, Iraq, Falklands, 1973 embargo, Oil resources, production and consumption ? Peak Oil.

Unconventional oil and gas. The UK gas strategy.
UK Energy policy. Privatisation and liberalisation. Energy Bill 2012/13

Nuclear Power: Contribution to UK energy mix; the nuclear process; Nuclear safety & public health risk. Chernobyl nuclear disaster: Background and the aftermath.

Renewable Energy: Resource issues, Microgeneration, Wind power, Solar Power, Biomass Energy, Nuclear Fusion. UK policy implications through to 2030.

Energy Conservation: Approaches and policy. The MPG Illusion example and public attitudes.

Global context:
Energy supply and security is a matter of critical global importance from breaking the developed world's "addiction to oil" to fuelling economic and industrial growth in the developing world. This module covers examples of energy and conflict that emerged in the second half of the 20th century before focussing on UK policy and future prospects.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, short videos; optional tutorial; drop-in help sessions.

Where possible the lecture content will end in week 8 leaving two weeks for coursework support, including the tutorial and drop-in sessions. Coursework is due for submission on the first day of the summer term.

The contact hours table indicates 4 hours of tutorials - these include the optional drop-in sessions, coursework tutorial and email support.

One-to-one meetings can also be booked online with the convenor.

Contact hours:
Lectures 16
Tutorials 4
Guided independent study 80
Total hours by term 100

Summative Assessment Methods:
Report 100

Length of examination:
Requirements for a pass:
An overall module mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission of coursework