Renewable Resource Modelling and Assessment module (RE52003)

Countries around the world have committed to renewable power generation. Under the Paris Agreement, they have committed to this in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This commitment makes strategic assessment planning all the more crucial.

The focus of this planning is on several topics. These include:

• ensuring adequate generation capacity to meet demand
• system flexibility for high-renewable shares
• sufficient transmission capacity to dispatch power
• grid stability to handle short-term variations
• effective off-grid systems
• optimised investments
• sustainable use of energy, land, and water resources

In this module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainable energy strategies. These strategies aim to deliver under the United Nations 2030 agenda. Ultimately, they serve as a pathway to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

There is an urgent need to improve countries' abilities in energy planning. This is due to:

• high energy demand
• population growth
• the need for sustainable livelihoods
• the challenges of climate change

This involves optimising investments in energy production. This is done by using abundant renewable resources and technology costs. This is achieved by using open-source energy planning models.

What You Will Learn

In this module you will:

• explore the energy supply and demand characteristics to achieve net-zero targets and sustainable initiatives introduced by countries
• understand the significance of global and local imperatives for transitioning to low-carbon energy systems
• review renewable energy technologies used for electricity, heating/cooling, industry, and transport with solar, wind, hydro, and other renewable energy technologies
• investigate the complex process of integrated sustainable energy systems. You will also consider environmental sustainability and energy market dynamics
• explore the efficient and widespread use of open-source modelling tools to align with the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, and any nation's sustainable energy agendas

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• take part in the global energy planning and modelling community. This will allow you to exchange experiences, models, and data in climate, land, energy, and water systems
• enhance human and institutional capacity globally in integrated energy modelling and investment planning
• understand developing centres of excellence for energy planning worldwide
• efficiently and widely use open-source modelling tools to align with the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, and any nation's sustainable energy agendas

Assignments / assessment

• Coursework
  • MAB001 (70%)
  • MAB002 (30%)

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

• 2-hour lectures
• tutorials
• study trip
• laboratory sessions