Module Details

Module Code: ECON E9Z01
Full Title: Energy Policy & Economics
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 7.5
Module Owner:: Catherine McCloskey
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: The last twenty years has seen the gradual emergence of new technology, government policy and practice that is responding to the challenges of climate change and scarcity of natural resources. As public understanding grows of the need to guard the Earth’s natural resources, a global and local demand is emerging for renewable energy technology. Businesses are also trying to find ways to reduce costs through greater resource efficiency and energy saving measures. This has spawned the ‘Green Economy’ which is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Apprise the impact of climate change on the environment and the global economy.
MLO2 Research and assess global, European and National Energy policy and the role of renewable technology and energy efficiency measures.
MLO3 Model future energy solutions, developing energy scenarios for communities, cities and countries globally.
MLO4 Develop financial and economic appraisals of proposed energy projects.
MLO5 Assess the energy supply chain and the opportunity for 'clean tech' innovation and the development of the Green Economy.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Impact of climate change.
Stern review; IPCC reports;Kyoto protocol; Copenhagen accord; Doha agreement; Paris Energy Summitt
Modelling Energy Scenarios
Using scenario development as a tool for energy solutions; Steps in scenario planning; Shell's Energy scenario 2050. STEEPLE analysis.
Global, European and National Energy policy
The Smart Economy (2008) Climate Change Strategy (2007) Technology actions to support the smart economy (2009) Smarter Travel (2009) Trading & Investing in a smart economy (2010) Framework for sustainable development (2011) Eirgrid (2025) Delivering our green potential (2012) Towards a new climate change strategy (2012) Climate change adaptation framework (2012) Supporting economic recovery & jobs locally (2012) National Development Plan (2007 – 2012) National Spatial Strategy (2002 – 2020) Europe 2020 Europe 2050 Ireland's Energy Projections 2017 Doha 2012
Green Finance
Energy funding streams; Electricity trading and carbon trading; FITS and ROCS; Methods of Financial appraisal; Economic externalities; Costing externalities;
Clean tech innovation and the green economy
Appraisal of economic policy instruments designed to enhance innovation in the green economy; development of the supply chain; collaborative networks; energy clusters.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full Time On Campus

Course Work
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 80
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 2,3,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will form teams to investigate a single multi-faceted problem (e.g. the energy economy of an island nation). They will assess the problem, using a range of economic appraisal techniques, develop a set of possible scenario's and propose a solution. This will be communicated in the form of a professional research consultancy report. Marks will be awarded for evidence of a robust research protocol and research methodology.Students will have responsibility for their part of the report, and will be assessed in part on the overall report and in part on their section.
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Debate Climate Change and its impact on the environment and the economy
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 5
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 2,3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Presentation of Scenario and solution to multifaceted problem.
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 5
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Casestudy: Students will be asked to develop a financial and economic apparisal of a particular renewable energy technology or product. On completition of the financial and economic appraisal they are expected to assess the energy supply chain for their product/ technology and comment on the prospect of it being a successful 'clean tech' innovation.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
No repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will be offered solely on the basis of coursework and a repeat examination will not be offered.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time On Campus
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 9.50 9.5
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact No Description Every Week 0.50 0.5
Total Weekly Learner Workload 12.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.50
This module has no Part Time On Campus workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Jim Skea, Paul Ekins and Mark Winskel. (2011), Energy 2050: Making the transistion to a secure low carbon energy system, 1. earthscan, UK, [ISBN: 9781849710848].
  • Ivan Scarse and Gordon MacKerron. (2013), Energy for the Future A New Agenda, 2. palgrave, UK, [ISBN: 9780230221529].
  • David Buchan. (2009), Energy and Climate Change: Europe at the crossroads, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, UK, [ISBN: 9780199569908].
  • Tim Jackson. (2009), Prosperity without growth: Economics for a finite planet, 1. Earthscan, UK, [ISBN: 9781849713238].
  • Ferdinand E Banks. (2007), The Political Economy of World Energy, World Scientific, USA, [ISBN: 1397898127003].
  • U. Aswathanarayana, T Harikrishnan and K.M. Thayyib Sahini. (2010), Green Energy: Technology, Economics and Energy, 1. CRC Press, [ISBN: 9780415876285].
  • Routledge. (2018), Energy Economics, 2. [ISBN: 978-0-415-676].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Springer International. (2017), Energy Economics: Theory and Application, [ISBN: 978-3-662-530].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • International Energy Agency. (2016), IA-HEV Annual Report.
  • Irish Government. (2015), Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act.
  • NORA. (2016), The Biofuels obligation scheme, 2016.
Other Resources