Course unit details:
GeoEnergy Systems
| Unit code | EART60081 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Offered by | Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This course unit focuses on different geoenergy systems and how geology and geophysics can be applied to evaluate and assess them. Systems covered will include natural gas, geothermal, carbon capture and storage, energy storage (heat and compressed air energy storage), hydrogen storage, critical metal resources, and radioactive waste geodisposal. Global examples and challenges, including geological, technical, societal and environmental, will be explored.
The module has two components. The first is a series of short 'primer' presentations presentation by the staff of key topics in these areas, followed by the delivery by the student of a short (5 min) presentation on a focussed aspect of each area. Feedback and marks will be given the following week. In the second component of the course you will undertake personal literature-based research on a topic of your choice within the overall framework of the course unit. You will receive help and feedback on the topic selection, and will give a short (10 min) presentation and a short written report on this. In this unit you will not only gain knowledge of these important topics, but develop further your presentation and critical discussion skills.
Aims
To provide students with an integrated appreciation of the nature of geoenergy systems, their assessment, utilisation and an awareness of the benefits and impacts of this utilisation.
Learning outcomes
On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to: | Developed | Assessed | |
ILO 1 | Discuss the importance of geoscience in underpinning the effective delivery of geoenergy, using a selection of examples. | Yes | Yes |
ILO 2 | Explain, in a geological sense, the fundamental characteristics and properties of geoenergy systems | Yes | Yes |
ILO 3 | Discuss the geological, technological and environmental challenges in selected geoenergy systems. | Yes | Yes |
ILO 4 | Interpret and integrate sub-surface data in order to characterise and quantify physical and geochemical properties of geoenergy systems. | Yes | Yes |
ILO 5 | Articulate, and critically discuss, the environmental and societal considerations essential to the sustainable exploitation of Earth resources
| Yes | Yes |
ILO 6 | Concisely explain, using visual and verbal material, future challenges in geoenergy | Yes | Yes |
Syllabus
Week by week content:
Week 1: Introduction, concepts, approaches
Week 2: Global context and challenges, energy demand and growth
Week 3: Polices and priorities; global, regional and local focus
Week 4: Principle geoenergy systems 1: Energy extraction systems
Week 5: Principle geoenergy systems 2: Energy storage systems
Week 6: Principle geoenergy systems 3: Energy diposal systems
Week 7: Applied Integrated subsurface descriptions and modelling; Uncertainty and risk
Week 8: Digital and visualisation in geoenergy systems
Week 9: Detailed case examples: Energy extraction systems
Week 10: Detailed case examples Energy storage systems
Week 11: Detailed case examples: Energy diposal systems
Week 12: Presentations
Teaching and learning methods
This module will be delivered as 10 sessions with up to 2 hours asynchronous lecture material and pre-read material, prior to weekly 2 hour synchronous teaching, focused on discussions and individual presentation of key weekly topics. These will incorporate elements of:
- Presentations by lecturer
- Small class discussions
- Student presentations
- Class Q and A following presentations
- Research using on-line resources
- Report presentation and feedback and in individual topic chosen by each student.
- Final presentation of research report
Assessment methods
Assessment type | % Weighting within unit | Hand out and hand in dates | Length
| How, when and what feedback is provided | ILO tested |
Individual presentation | 0 (formative) | Early Oct 2021 | 10 mins | Week later | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Individual presentation (x2) | 20% each | Late Oct and early Nov 2021 | 10 mins | Week later | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Individual project report | 40% | Jan 2022 | 2500 words | 3 weeks later | 5, 6 |
Individual research presentation | 20% | Jan 2022 | 15 mins | 3 weeks later | 5, 6 |
Recommended reading
Stober, I and Bucher, K. (2013) Geothermal Energy: from theoretical models to Exploration and Development; Springer.
Gill, J.C. and Smith, M. (2021) Geosciences and the Sustainable Development Goals, Springer
On-line reading resources are provided based on the topics selected by the students each week.
Study hours
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 150 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Kevin Taylor | Unit coordinator |