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MSc. in Energy and
Development Studies
Students are required to complete 80 credits of course work, the
courses being chosen from the list supplied below. To qualify for
the degree of MSc. (Applied Science) candidates are required to
complete a supervised dissertation, equivalent to a further 120
credits, the topic of which requires the approval of the Director of
the ERC.
Courses
(Credits shown in brackets)
Compulsory course
1. Introduction to energy policy and
sustainable energy engineering (20)
Elective
courses (at least 80 credits to be completed)
2. Energy markets and governance (20)
3. Energy poverty and development (20)
4. Energy project (20)
5. Energy and climate change (20)
6. Energy
modelling (20)
7. New and
renewable energy technologies
Dissertation requirement
8. Masters dissertation: energy and development studies (120)
Description of the courses
1.
Introduction to Energy Policy
and Sustainable Energy Engineering (20 credits)
Introduction to energy concepts and terminology. Energy resources
and reserves, extraction methods and conversion techniques,
including coal, gas, liquid fuels, hydro, nuclear, renewable energy
and new energy technologies. An overview of the current world-wide
energy situation. Energy demand and energy balances. Energy issues
related to development, sustainability and conservation with
environmental and economic linkages. Integrated resource planning
and integrated energy planning. Introduction to policy science and
theory. South African and international energy policy issues.
2.
Energy Markets and Governance
(20 credits)
The principal objectives of this course are to provide a grounding
in regulatory theory and practice within the energy sector,
institutional reform initiatives in the electricity industry, and
environmental regulation within the energy sector. Lecture/seminar
topics will include the following: national and international energy
markets (oil, gas, electricity); energy governance; the role of the
state and management of the energy sector; market failure;
regulatory theory; institutional reform in the electricity sector;
energy pricing theory and methods; demand side management;
environmental concerns and governance in the energy sector.
3.
Energy Poverty and
Development (20 credits)
This course aims to introduce students to aspects of development
theory, poverty studies and the relationship with energy use. A
lecture/seminar series will be presented and will cover the
following topics: availability, consumption, and characteristics of
energy use in developing areas; assessing consumption patterns;
introduction to social research techniques; relationships between
energy, poverty, education, health, water access, and development;
gender perspectives on energy procurement and uses; urban and rural
energy technologies and strategies as applied to households,
community facilities and small scale enterprises, (including
electrification, biomass and renewable energy); related energy
efficiency and environment issues.
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4.
Energy Project (20
credits)
On the recommendation of the supervisor, and with the approval of
the Convenor of the Energy and Development Studies programme, a
student registered for a Masters degree may be permitted to enter a
programme of individual study on a specialised topic. A research
proposal must be agreed upon, and the project will be guided by the
supervisor. The programme will involve the student in 180 hours of
work, and a written report must be submitted which will be examined
by an internal and external examiner.
5.
Energy and Climate Change
(20 credits)
Course Outline: Causes of climate change: greenhouse effects, carbon
cycle, current status and climate variability. Future changes and
impacts of climate change: emissions and concentrations,
stabilisation prospects, temperature effects, ecological and
socio-economic impacts. Energy development and use, and climate
change: GHG emissions from energy supply and use. Non-GHG emissions
from energy supply and use. Climate change debate and assessment:
Agenda 21, UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, obligations and commitments of
countries, IPCC reports. Energy options for mitigation of climate
change: supply, building, transport, industry erosion, waste
management, and human health. Energy technology transfer: transfer
trends, transfer strategies. Sustainable policies and measures:
domestic, international, UNFCCC and KP instruments.
6. ENERGY MODELLING (20
credits)
The syllabus will explore the applications of energy modelling such
as energy demand projections, price projections, energy supply
planning, policy planning, environmental impact assessment, climate
change mitigation assessment, and integrated resource planning.
Different types of models such as simulation and optimisation models
will be outlined. Linkages between energy modelling, energy
statistics and scenario planning will be discussed. Examples of
existing energy modelling software and modelling systems will be
demonstrated. Important considerations in energy modelling, such as
energy-economic relationships or technology advances, will be
discussed. Students will be given information on a particular
energy utility or national energy situation, and energy modelling
needs and approaches will be debated. After having being exposed to
most energy modelling issues, students will select a project which
may involve researching a particular issue in energy modelling, or
involve the modelling of a particular situation.
7. NEW AND
RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES (20 credits)
The course provides a survey of the most important renewable energy
resources, and the technologies for using these in various types of
energy systems. The potential for using renewable energy
technologies as a complement to conventional technologies is
discussed. Strategies for increasing the future use of renewable
energy resources are presented.
.8.
MASTERS DISSERTATION: ENERGY AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (120 credits)
The purpose of the dissertation, which complements the course work
that is a requirement of the degree, is to afford the student the
opportunity to demonstrate his/her ability to conduct independent
research. Although the student will work under the direction of a
supervisor, the quality and content of the work must be a reflection
of the ability of the candidate. The subject chosen for the
dissertation will be by mutual agreement between supervisor and
student and should incorporate elements of the course work whole
also being relevant to the general field of sustainable energy.
Where practical, the area of research chosen should be appropriate
to the student’s country of origin.
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