- Platform
- edX
- Provider
- University of Queensland
- Effort
- 10-12 hours/week
- Length
- 12 weeks
- Language
- English
- Credentials
- Paid Certificate Available
- Part of
-
MicroMasters Program: Sustainable Energy
- Course Link
Overview
This course examines electricity generation from traditional sources including coal, gas and nuclear, and describes recent developments to improve efficiency and environmental performance. This includes the use of carbon capture and storage technology as a way of decarbonising electricity. This course also examines carbon intensive industries such as cement, steel making, paper and pulp manufactoring, as well as carbon intensive transportation fuels. You will be exposed to a number of the arguments for and against the use of fossil fuels. The course will help you to understand their role in the transition to a sustainable future and what the trade-offs might include.
This course is part of the Sustainable Energy MicroMasters series. You may take the course as a single course or complete all four courses in the series.
There are two enrolment options: verified enrolment and audit enrolment. If you enrol as a verified learner and successfully complete all four courses and the Capstone Assessment you will qualify for the Sustainable Energy MicroMasters credential.
A Sustainable Energy MicroMasters credential is worthwhile in itself, but, if you wish to continue your studies, the Sustainable Energy MicroMasters credential could be used towards studying the Master of Sustainable Energy at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.
Learners who choose to enrol as verified, will be required to write an assignment, and achieve an overall passing grade of 70% or above in order to receive the downloadable verified certificate.
This course runs multiple times throughout the year.
What you'll learn
Taught by
Dr. Diego Schmeda Lopez , Dr. Geoff Bongers and Martin Oettinger
This course examines electricity generation from traditional sources including coal, gas and nuclear, and describes recent developments to improve efficiency and environmental performance. This includes the use of carbon capture and storage technology as a way of decarbonising electricity. This course also examines carbon intensive industries such as cement, steel making, paper and pulp manufactoring, as well as carbon intensive transportation fuels. You will be exposed to a number of the arguments for and against the use of fossil fuels. The course will help you to understand their role in the transition to a sustainable future and what the trade-offs might include.
This course is part of the Sustainable Energy MicroMasters series. You may take the course as a single course or complete all four courses in the series.
There are two enrolment options: verified enrolment and audit enrolment. If you enrol as a verified learner and successfully complete all four courses and the Capstone Assessment you will qualify for the Sustainable Energy MicroMasters credential.
A Sustainable Energy MicroMasters credential is worthwhile in itself, but, if you wish to continue your studies, the Sustainable Energy MicroMasters credential could be used towards studying the Master of Sustainable Energy at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.
Learners who choose to enrol as verified, will be required to write an assignment, and achieve an overall passing grade of 70% or above in order to receive the downloadable verified certificate.
This course runs multiple times throughout the year.
What you'll learn
- Current features of coal, gas and nuclear power generation technologies and their future development
- Basic principles and emissions intensity of oil refining and coal to liquids processes for transportation fuels
- New developments in carbon capture, transportation and storage processes
- Case study of an unconventional gas industry
- The implications of improving efficiencies in carbon intensive industrial processes.
Syllabus
Topic 1: Introduction to primary energy sources
This topic covers introductory thermodynamics and investigates primary energy sources and the meaning of technology readiness.
Topic 2: Electricity from coal: Technology options and developments
This topic discusses the emissions profile, current deployment level and future development of different coal based power producing technologies.
Topic 3: Electricity from gas: Technology options and developments
This topic discusses the environmental impact, current deployment level and future developments of different gas based power producing technologies.
Topic 4: Carbon capture technology: Technology options and developments
In this topic learners will explore the purpose of carbon capture and storage and also different options for carbon capture.
Topic 5: Carbon transport and storage: Technology options and developments
This topic explores the different carbon transport and storage options and includes an overview of key carbon capture and storage projects globally.
Topic 6: Transportation fuels
In this topic we present the basic processes of oil refining, emissions to the environment, current usage profile and future alternatives.
Topic 7: Industrial carbon intensive processes
This topic introduces learners to the basics of energy intensive industrial processes.
Topic 8: Power from nuclear energy
This topic covers the basics of nuclear power generation including reactor types, fuel cycles, waste and safety.
Topic 9: Addressing complexity and deep emission reductions
Topic 10: Pathways to net zero carbon dioxide emissions in the electricy sector.
Topic 1: Introduction to primary energy sources
This topic covers introductory thermodynamics and investigates primary energy sources and the meaning of technology readiness.
Topic 2: Electricity from coal: Technology options and developments
This topic discusses the emissions profile, current deployment level and future development of different coal based power producing technologies.
Topic 3: Electricity from gas: Technology options and developments
This topic discusses the environmental impact, current deployment level and future developments of different gas based power producing technologies.
Topic 4: Carbon capture technology: Technology options and developments
In this topic learners will explore the purpose of carbon capture and storage and also different options for carbon capture.
Topic 5: Carbon transport and storage: Technology options and developments
This topic explores the different carbon transport and storage options and includes an overview of key carbon capture and storage projects globally.
Topic 6: Transportation fuels
In this topic we present the basic processes of oil refining, emissions to the environment, current usage profile and future alternatives.
Topic 7: Industrial carbon intensive processes
This topic introduces learners to the basics of energy intensive industrial processes.
Topic 8: Power from nuclear energy
This topic covers the basics of nuclear power generation including reactor types, fuel cycles, waste and safety.
Topic 9: Addressing complexity and deep emission reductions
Topic 10: Pathways to net zero carbon dioxide emissions in the electricy sector.
Taught by
Dr. Diego Schmeda Lopez , Dr. Geoff Bongers and Martin Oettinger