CEM241-Energy and the Environment

Module Provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Maria Vahdati
Email: m.m.vahdati@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Energy underpins our current standard of living and economic development. The environmental impact of energy use and transition to a lower carbon economy presents significant challenges. This module is concerned with the technical, environmental, economic and social issues associated with the production of energy. It includes an overview of energy production and consumption trends, traditional means of energy production, renewable energy, sustainability, environmental issues and political and economic concepts in energy. Students are able to explore a range of energy related issues through conducting research for one assessed report.

Aims:

To provide a multi-disciplinary, integrated introduction to technical, environmental, economic and social issues associated with energy production, including the consideration of the practical constraints that limit the extent to which negative impacts can be ameliorated.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to demonstrate ability in the following areas:

• Be able to discuss, at a professional level, the significance of energy in the modern world, with due reference to social, economic, historic, environmental and technological contexts.


• Be able to make rational preliminary choices between energy technologies for any application on the basis of economic,social, environmental and technological factors, using quantitative arguments where appropriate.


• Understand some of the environmental impacts of energy production.

Additional outcomes:

On completion of this module students will have had the opportunity to:

• Be able to identify some of the most important references in the field in order to be able to support an argument or defend an assertion


• Be able to outline the factors that constrain and otherwise influence energy production, and describe their multi-disciplinary nature and linkages

Outline content:

• Trends in energy production and consumption


• Energy economics


• Fossil fuel heat and power generation


• Nuclear power


• Environmental impacts of energy production


• The impact of carbon dioxide


• Sustainability


• Introduction to new and renewable energy technologies


• Introductory Meteorology for Renewable Energy Systems

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be delivered through lectures in an intensive block in the autumn term. It usually involves a site visit.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	24
External visits	3
Guided independent study:	73
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One written assignment in week 6 of the autumn term.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re- submission of failed elements. Students are required to contact the School to confirm reassessment arrangements.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 22 September 2022