Nicolas Gruber: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2021 |
Name | Prof. Dr. Nicolas Gruber |
Field | Umweltphysik |
Address | I. f. Biogeochemie/Schadstoffdyn. ETH Zürich, CHN E 31.2 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
Telephone | +41 44 632 03 52 |
Fax | +41 44 632 16 91 |
nicolas.gruber@env.ethz.ch | |
URL | https://up.ethz.ch/people/person-detail.NDU4Mzg=.TGlzdC8xNzUxLC0zMDYxNTA1MjU=.html |
Department | Environmental Systems Science |
Relationship | Full Professor |
Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
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151-0928-00L | CO2 Capture and Storage and the Industry of Carbon-Based Resources | 4 credits | 3G | M. Mazzotti, A. Bardow, P. Eckle, N. Gruber, M. Repmann, T. Schmidt, D. Sutter | |
Abstract | Carbon-based resources (coal, oil, gas): origin, production, processing, resource economics. Climate change: science, policies. CCS systems: CO2 capture in power/industrial plants, CO2 transport and storage. Besides technical details, economical, legal and societal aspects are considered (e.g. electricity markets, barriers to deployment). | ||||
Learning objective | The goal of the lecture is to introduce carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) systems, the technical solutions developed so far and the current research questions. This is done in the context of the origin, production, processing and economics of carbon-based resources, and of climate change issues. After this course, students are familiar with important technical and non-technical issues related to use of carbon resources, climate change, and CCS as a transitional mitigation measure. The class will be structured in 2 hours of lecture and one hour of exercises/discussion. At the end of the semester a group project is planned. | ||||
Content | Both the Swiss and the European energy system face a number of significant challenges over the coming decades. The major concerns are the security and economy of energy supply and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuels will continue to satisfy the largest part of the energy demand in the medium term for Europe, and they could become part of the Swiss energy portfolio due to the planned phase out of nuclear power. Carbon capture and storage is considered an important option for the decarbonization of the power sector and it is the only way to reduce emissions in CO2 intensive industrial plants (e.g. cement- and steel production). Building on the previously offered class "Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS)", we have added two specific topics: 1) the industry of carbon-based resources, i.e. what is upstream of the CCS value chain, and 2) the science of climate change, i.e. why and how CO2 emissions are a problem. The course is devided into four parts: I) The first part will be dedicated to the origin, production, and processing of conventional as well as of unconventional carbon-based resources. II) The second part will comprise two lectures from experts in the field of climate change sciences and resource economics. III) The third part will explain the technical details of CO2 capture (current and future options) as well as of CO2 storage and utilization options, taking again also economical, legal, and sociatel aspects into consideration. IV) The fourth part will comprise two lectures from industry experts, one with focus on electricity markets, the other on the experiences made with CCS technologies in the industry. Throughout the class, time will be allocated to work on a number of tasks related to the theory, individually, in groups, or in plenum. Moreover, the students will apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during the course in a case study covering all the topics. | ||||
Lecture notes | Power Point slides and distributed handouts | ||||
Literature | IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, 2018. http://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15/ IPCC AR5 Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report, 2014. www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/ IPCC Special Report on Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage, 2005. www.ipcc.ch/activity/srccs/index.htm The Global Status of CCS: 2014. Published by the Global CCS Institute, Nov 2014. http://www.globalccsinstitute.com/publications/global-status-ccs-2014 | ||||
Prerequisites / Notice | External lecturers from the industry and other institutes will contribute with specialized lectures according to the schedule distributed at the beginning of the semester. | ||||
651-4095-01L | Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 1 | 1 credit | 1K | H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, H. Joos, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild | |
Abstract | The colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions. | ||||
Learning objective | -get insight into ongoing research in different fields related to atmospheric and climate science | ||||
Content | The colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions. | ||||
Prerequisites / Notice | To acquire credit points for this colloquium, please confirm your attendance of 8 colloquia per semester by using the form which is provided at the course webpage. | ||||
651-4095-02L | Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 2 | 1 credit | 1K | H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, H. Joos, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild | |
Abstract | The colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions. | ||||
Learning objective | -get insight into ongoing research in different fields related to atmospheric and climate sciences | ||||
Prerequisites / Notice | To acquire credit points for this colloquium, please confirm your attendance of 8 colloquia per semester by using the form which is provided at the course webpage. | ||||
651-4095-03L | Colloquium Atmosphere and Climate 3 | 1 credit | 1K | H. Wernli, D. N. Bresch, D. Domeisen, N. Gruber, H. Joos, R. Knutti, U. Lohmann, T. Peter, C. Schär, S. Schemm, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Wild | |
Abstract | The colloquium is a series of scientific talks by prominent invited speakers assembling interested students and researchers from around Zürich. Students take part of the scientific discussions. | ||||
Learning objective | -get insight into ongoing research in different fields related to atmospheric and climate sciences | ||||
Prerequisites / Notice | To acquire credit points for this colloquium, please confirm your attendance of 8 colloquia per semester by using the form which is provided at the course webpage. | ||||
701-1302-00L | Term Paper 2: Seminar Prerequisite: Term Paper 1: Writing (701-1303-00L). Only for Environmental Sciences MSc and Science, Technology and Policy MSc. | 2 credits | 1S | L. Winkel, M. Ackermann, K. Deiner, N. Gruber, J. Hering, R. Kretzschmar, M. Lever, K. McNeill, D. Mitrano, A. N'Guyen van Chinh, M. H. Schroth, B. Wehrli | |
Abstract | This class is the 2nd part of a series and participation is conditional on the successful completion of "Term Paper 1: Writing". The results from the term paper written during the previous term are presented to the other students and advisors and discussed with the audience. | ||||
Learning objective | The goal of the term paper seminars is to train the student's ability to communicate (scientific) results to a wider audience and the ability to respond to questions and comments. | ||||
Content | Each student presents the results of their term paper to fellow students and advisors and responds to questions and comments from the audience. | ||||
Lecture notes | Guidelines and supplementary material are distributed on the Moodle platform. | ||||
Prerequisites / Notice | There is no final exam. Grade is assigned based on the quality of the presentation and ensuing discussion. To obtain the credits, it is mandatory to attend at least 60% of all seminar dates offered in the fall and spring semester. Active participation in discussion and feedback rounds is expected. | ||||
701-1303-00L | Term Paper 1: Writing Only for Environmental Sciences MSc and Science, Technology and Policy MSc. | 5 credits | 6A | L. Winkel, M. Ackermann, K. Deiner, N. Gruber, J. Hering, R. Kretzschmar, M. Lever, K. McNeill, D. Mitrano, A. N'Guyen van Chinh, M. H. Schroth | |
Abstract | The ability to critically evaluate original (scientific) literature and to summarise the information in a succinct manner is an important skill for any student. This course aims to practice this ability, requiring each student to write a term paper of scientific quality on a topic of relevance for research in the areas of biogeochemistry and pollutant dynamics. | ||||
Learning objective | The goal of the term paper is to train the student's ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and to summarise the findings concisely in a paper addressing a research question. At the end of the course, students will be able to: - narrow down a research question. - identify relevant literature to address the research question. - concisely summarise and critically evaluate their findings. - formulate key outstanding questions. | ||||
Content | Each student is expected to write a paper with a length of approximately 15-20 pages. The students can choose from a list of topics prepared by the tutors, but the final topic will be determined based on a balance of choice and availability. The students will be guided and advised by their tutors throughout the course. The paper itself should contain the following elements: - Motivation and context of the given topic (25%) - Concise presentation and critical evaluation of the state of the science (50%) - Identification of open questions and perhaps outline of opportunities for research (25%) In addition, the accurate use of citations, attribution of ideas, and the judicious use of figures, tables, equations and references are critical components of a successful paper. Specialised knowledge is not expected, nor required; neither is new research. | ||||
Lecture notes | Guidelines and supplementary material are distributed on the Moodle platform. | ||||
Literature | Original scientific literature will be identified based on the chosen topic. | ||||
Prerequisites / Notice | The term paper course is primarily aimed at master students majoring in biogeochemistry & pollutant dynamics and ISTP students with a solid background in natural sciences and a strong interest in biogeochemistry & pollutant dynamics. Each students submits a term paper that will be reviewed by one fellow student and one faculty. The submission of the term paper and a written review of another student's term paper are a condition for obtaining the credit points. There is no final exam. Grade is assigned based on the quality of the term paper and the submitted review as well as on the presentation in the following term. Results from the term paper will be presented to fellow students and involved faculty in the following semester ("Term Paper 2: Seminar"). | ||||
701-1317-00L | Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Climate | 3 credits | 3G | N. Gruber, M. Vogt | |
Abstract | The human-induced emissions of carbon dioxide has led to atmospheric CO2 concentrations that Earth likely has no’t seen for the last 30 million years. This course aims to investigate and understand the impact of humans on Earth's biogeochemical cycles with a focus on the carbon cycle and its interaction with the physical climate system for the past, the present, and the future. | ||||
Learning objective | This course aims to investigate the nature of the interaction between the carbon cycles on land and in the ocean with climate and how this interaction has evolved over time and will change in the future. Students are expected to participate actively in the course, which includes the critical reading of the pertinent literature. | ||||
Content | Topics discussed include: The anthropogenic perturbation of the global carbon cycle and climate. Response of land and oceanic ecosystems to past and future global changes; Interactions between biogeochemical cycles on land and in the ocean; Biogeochemical processes controlling carbon dioxide and oxygen in the ocean and atmosphere on time-scales from a few years to a few hundred thousand years. | ||||
Lecture notes | Sarmiento & Gruber (2006), Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics, Princeton University Press. Additional handouts will be provided as needed. see website: http://www.up.ethz.ch/education/biogeochem_cycles | ||||
Literature | Sarmiento & Gruber (2006), Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics, Princeton University Press, 526pp. Original literature. |