402-0737-00L Energy and Sustainability in the 21st Century (Part I)
| Semester | Autumn Semester 2021 |
| Lecturers | P. Morf |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | English |
Courses
| Number | Title | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 402-0737-00 V | Energy and Sustainability in the 21st Century (Part I) | 2 hrs |
| P. Morf | ||||||
| 402-0737-00 U | Energy and Sustainability in the 21st Century (Part I) | 1 hrs |
| P. Morf |
Catalogue data
| Abstract | |
| Learning objective | Why is energy important for life and our society? How did energy use change over time? Which effects did these changes have on the environment? What are the physical basics of energy technologies? When, why and how did technology and science of energy come together? What are the limits and benefits of all the various energy technologies? How can different energy technologies be compared? Can we understand the changes in the current energy systems? How will the energy systems of the future look like? How fast can we and should we alter the current energy transition? Which could be the overall guide lines for a working energy system of the future? |
| Content | Physical basics of energy, thermodynamics and life. Introduction to self-organisation, and systems. Energy and making use of it - a short history and overview on energy technologies Coal, oil and natural gas – fossil fuels Hydro, Wind- & Solarpower (Geothermal- and Tidal power) – the quest for renewable energy Nuclear power, radioactivity and ultimate storage – the quest for a safe technology Breeding and Nuclear Fusion – can it work at all? Energy storage – available technologies and a technology outlook Climate change, decarbonisation – how much time do we have? Energy efficiency, recycling and other resource conservation measures Energy systems – how everything can play together Buildings and Mobility – new technologies, new Ways of life? Life cycle assessment of Energy Technologies – problems and possibilities Economics of energy, learning curves, technology assessments and Innovation. The energy transition and decarbonisation – How is your 2040, 2050? |
| Lecture notes | Web page: http://ihp-lx2.ethz.ch/energy21/index.html |
| Literature | The Physics of Energy, R.L. Jaffe, W. Taylor, 2018 Clean Disruption of Energy and Transportation, T. Seba 2014 Energy and Civilization: A History, V. Smil, 2018 Renewable Energy – Without the Hot Air, D.J.c. Mackay 2009 |
| Prerequisites / Notice | Basics of Physics applied to Energy and Energy Technology. Investigation on current problems (and possible solutions) related to the energy system and the environmental interactions. Training of scientific and multi-disciplinary methods, approaches and their limits in the exercises and discussions. |
Performance assessment
| Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again) | |
Performance assessment as a semester course | |
| ECTS credits | 6 credits |
| Examiners | P. Morf |
| Type | session examination |
| Language of examination | English |
| Repetition | The performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit. |
| Mode of examination | oral 30 minutes |
| Additional information on mode of examination | Language of examination: English or German / Prüfungssprache: Deutsch oder Englisch |
| This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding. | |
Learning materials
| Moodle course | Moodle-Kurs / Moodle course |
| Only public learning materials are listed. | |
Groups
| No information on groups available. |
Restrictions
| There are no additional restrictions for the registration. |
