CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON ENERGY GENERATION AND DEMAND

Aim of the Course

The aim of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of climate change on energy systems. By exploring the fundamentals of climate change, analyzing data and resources, and examining the effects on generation, demand, and grid resilience, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to address the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change in the energy sector.

Knowledge and Understanding

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Understand the fundamental concepts of climate change, including its causes, effects, and modeling techniques.

Analyze climate data and energy data using appropriate tools and methodologies.

Evaluate the impacts of climate change on various aspects of energy generation, including renewable energy sources and traditional power plants.

Assess the changing patterns of energy demand and their implications for energy systems.

Understand the challenges and strategies associated with ensuring the resilience of electrical systems in the face of climate change.

Making Judgements

Students will develop the ability to:

Critically evaluate the effectiveness of different climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Assess the economic and environmental trade-offs associated with different energy generation and consumption options.

Make informed decisions regarding investments in energy infrastructure and technologies that are resilient to climate change.

Evaluate the potential impacts of climate change on energy security and affordability.

Communication Skills

Students will be able to:

Communicate complex concepts related to climate change and energy systems to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Engage in discussions on the implications of climate change for energy policy and decision-making.

Present and justify recommendations for addressing the challenges posed by climate change in the energy sector.

Learning Skills

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

Identify and analyze the key factors influencing the relationship between climate change and energy systems.

Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address complex energy-related challenges.

Conduct independent research and analysis to support informed decision-making.

Collaborate effectively with others to develop solutions to climate change-related issues.

Lecturing is used to convey knowledge and it is organized as follows:

1)  the lecture notes are outlined— first major points, then the minor points that elaborate on or explain each major point;

2) relevant, concrete examples, in advance of the lecture, selecting examples familiar and meaningful to the students are provided;

3) students are allowed to stop the lecture to ask relevant questions, make comments, or ask for review;

4) intersperse periodic summaries within the lecture.are considered;

5) lectures start with a question, problem, current event, or something that just grabs the students’ attention;

6) active learning techniques are used (technological aids, such as multimedia presentations);

 7) simulations sessions are used to check and grasp the theoretical concepts. 

Cultural Prerequisites:

• Environmental Awareness: Students should have a basic understanding of environmental issues and the importance of sustainability.
• Scientific Literacy: A grasp of fundamental scientific concepts, such as physics, chemistry, and biology, is beneficial for understanding climate change and its impacts.
• Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze complex information, evaluate evidence, and draw informed conclusions is essential for studying climate change.
• Interdisciplinary Perspective: Students should be open to exploring topics from various fields, such as economics, sociology, and policy, as they intersect with climate change.

Curricular Prerequisites:

• Electrical Engineering Fundamentals: A solid understanding of electrical circuits, power systems, and control systems is necessary for analyzing the impacts of climate change on energy generation, transmission, and distribution.
• Mathematics: Proficiency in calculus, linear algebra, and statistics is crucial for modeling climate change phenomena, analyzing data, and evaluating the performance of energy systems.
• Physics: Knowledge of thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and wave phenomena is relevant for understanding the physical processes involved in climate change and renewable energy technologies.
• Programming: Familiarity with programming languages like Python, MATLAB, or R can be helpful for data analysis, modeling, and simulation.
• Energy Systems: Prior coursework in energy systems or power systems engineering can provide a foundational understanding of the energy sector and its challenges.

CONTRIBUTION OF TEACHING TO THE GOALS OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”

GOAL 4: QUALITY EDUCATION

GOAL 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

GOAL 11: SUISTANABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITY

GOAL 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

GOAL 13: CLIMATE ACTION

Module 1: Climate Change Fundamentals

This module provides a fundamental understanding of climate change, including its basic concepts, key indicators, and modeling approaches. Students will learn to distinguish between climate and weather, the greenhouse effect, and the causes of global warming. They will also examine various quantities related to climate change, such as temperature anomalies, CO2 emissions, and sea-level rise, and study different types of climate models used to predict future climate scenarios.

Module 2: Data and Resources

In this module, students will learn about the sources of climate and energy data. They will explore how to access data from organizations such as NASA, NOAA, and the IPCC, as well as data on energy consumption and production from the International Energy Agency and national energy agencies. Additionally, students will be introduced to data analysis tools like R, Python, and MATLAB, which can be used to process and analyze climate and energy data.

Module 3: Impact of Climate Change on Generation

This module focuses on the effects of climate change on energy generation. Students will learn about the potential for replacing traditional fossil fuel power plants with renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower. They will also examine how climate change can affect the operation of existing power plants, such as the reduction in water availability for thermal power plants and the decrease in efficiency of production plants due to increased ambient temperature.

Module 4: Impact of Climate Change on Demand

This module examines the ways in which climate change can influence energy demand. Students will learn how increased temperatures can lead to higher cooling loads in residential and commercial buildings, while decreased heating loads may result in lower energy consumption.

Module 5: Energy Demand in Buildings and Heat Pumps

This module delves into the role of buildings and heat pumps in energy consumption. Students will learn about energy efficiency standards for buildings, retrofitting techniques, and insulation. They will also study different types of heat pumps, their efficiency, and their potential for both heating and cooling. Additionally, the module will explore the role of heat pumps in demand response programs, which can help manage peak energy demand.

Module 6: Resilience of Electrical Systems

This module focuses on the vulnerabilities of electrical systems to climate change and strategies for improving their resilience. Students will learn about the risks posed by extreme weather events and cyberattacks on power grids. They will also explore various resilience strategies, such as microgrids, distributed energy resources, and backup systems. Case studies of successful resilience initiatives will be discussed to provide practical examples.

Module 7: Adequacy of Electrical Systems

This module examines the challenges of ensuring adequate electrical systems to meet future energy demands. Students will learn about load forecasting techniques, the importance of balancing supply and demand, and the role of reserve margins. They will also explore the need for grid modernization, including investments in infrastructure and smart grid technologies.

Module 8: Heat Waves and Tropical Nights

This module focuses on the specific impacts of heat waves and tropical nights on energy systems. Students will learn about the definitions and characteristics of these extreme weather events, as well as their frequency, intensity, and duration. The module will also examine the increased load on electrical distribution systems during heat waves and the thermal aging of equipment. Additionally, the impacts of heat waves on residential and commercial cooling loads will be discussed.

- Oral exam: 2 or 3 questions on the topics listed in the program,

Important note: Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, should the conditions require it.

Module 1: Climate Change Fundamentals

• What is the difference between climate and weather?
• Explain the greenhouse effect and its role in global warming.
• What are the primary greenhouse gases and their contributions to climate change?
• Discuss the limitations and uncertainties associated with climate models.

Module 2: Data and Resources

• Name some key sources of climate and energy data.
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using different data analysis tools (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB)?
• How can data visualization techniques be used to communicate climate change information effectively?

Module 3: Impact of Climate Change on Generation

• Discuss the potential impacts of climate change on hydropower generation.
• How can renewable energy sources like solar and wind help mitigate the effects of climate change on energy generation?
• What are the challenges associated with integrating large amounts of renewable energy into the grid?

Module 4: Impact of Climate Change on Demand

• How might climate change affect the peak demand for electricity?
• What are the potential impacts of climate change on agricultural water usage and energy demand?
• Discuss the role of energy efficiency in mitigating the impacts of climate change on demand.

Module 5: Energy Demand in Buildings and Heat Pumps

• What are the benefits of using heat pumps for both heating and cooling?
• How can smart grid technologies be used to integrate heat pumps into demand response programs?
• Discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with retrofitting existing buildings to improve energy efficiency.

Module 6: Resilience of Electrical Systems

• What are the key vulnerabilities of electrical systems to climate change?
• How can microgrids contribute to the resilience of electrical systems?
• Discuss the role of distributed energy resources in enhancing grid resilience.

Module 7: Adequacy of Electrical Systems

• What are the challenges associated with load forecasting in the context of climate change?
• How can capacity planning be adjusted to address the impacts of climate change on energy demand?
• Discuss the role of grid modernization in ensuring the adequacy of electrical systems.

Module 8: Heat Waves and Tropical Nights

• What are the public health impacts of heat waves and tropical nights?
• How can heat waves affect the distribution network and demand for electricity?
• Discuss strategies for mitigating the impacts of heat waves on energy systems.