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ESC-30040 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 24 April 2024

ESC-30040 - Clean Technology
Coordinator: Richard Waller Room: WSF23A Tel: +44 1782 7 33179
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None


Description for 2024/25

Clean Technology is an important area of future employability in the environment and sustainability sectors. This module gives the opportunity for students to study in depth an area of Clean Technology in which they are interested, spanning anything from the ecological impacts of different tidal energy technologies, to sustainable technologies in the aviation industry. After a broad introduction to the breadth and scope of different clean technologies and their policy implications, students will be supported to choose an area of clean technology to research and study in detail. Students will provide a critical evaluation of the potential of their chosen technology to help society move towards a more sustainable future. Towards the end of the module in a poster session, students will have the opportunity to learn from peers and reflect on clean technology developments in a broad range of areas.

Aims
This module aims to provide a detailed introduction into the range of clean technologies central to the ongoing energy transition with a focus on clean energy generation and storage, the electrification of key sectors of the economy (e.g. transport) and the integration of these technologies within "smart energy systems". With the energy sector currently contributing c. 75% of global carbon emissions, this module critically evaluates the ability of these technologies to deliver the deep and immediate carbon reductions within both the Global North and the Global South required by the Paris Climate Agreement. The module also aims to enhance participants' energy literacy skills and to showcase current skills gaps and the diverse range of career and research opportunities in the sector.

Intended Learning Outcomes

To describe and explain the generation, flows and uses of energy within energy systems and to communicate using the standard terms and units used within the sector: 1,2
Describe a range of clean technologies central to the energy transition and their integration within smart energy systems: 1
Critically evaluate the ability of a specific clean technology to make a significant contribution to the carbon reduction targets included within net zero action plans and to identify both the potential barriers to its adoption (e.g. economic viability) and the possible negative consequences (e.g. contributions to social inequality): 2
Locate, evaluate and critically review research findings reported within both research and technical literature: 1,2

Study hours

12 x 2 hour teaching sessions (including a poster presentation session) - 24 hours
12 x 2 hour structured engagement with set reading or set listening - 24 hours
Coursework preparation and completion - 78 hours
Independent study - 24 hours


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 70%
3000-word report
This report will provide a critical overview of the key elements covered within the module (clean energy generation and storage, electrification and smart energy systems) with respect to either a specific country or to a specific town or region. This will provide students with the flexibility to explore their application to smart energy systems at the local or national scale.

2: Poster Presentation weighted 30%
A3 poster
Students will create a professional poster that provides a critical assessment of the value of a specific clean technology to the energy transition. The posters will be presented in a poster session during the final week where students will have the opportunity to discuss their chosen technologies with their peers. Please note that the posters will be submitted and marked in advance of this session therefore obviating the need for anonymous marking.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 24 April 2024