Course Syllabus

SYLLABUS

Energy Cloud: Engineering Localized, Digitized, Sustainable Networks

Semester & Location:	Fall 2026 - DIS Stockholm
Type & Credits:	Elective course - 3 credits
Faculty:	Asterios Papageorgiou - Contact via Canvas Inbox
Time and Classroom:	Fridays 11:40-14:35 (classroom 1D-410)
Major Disciplines:	Engineering, Environmental Science
Related Disciplines:	Chemistry / Biochemistry, Physics / Biophysics
Prerequisites:	Two courses in math, plus a total of five courses within engineering, basic science (biology, chemistry, physics), and/or computer science, all at university level. At least one of these courses should be an engineering course. It is recommended to have taken a course in thermodynamics. If you have not already, you are encouraged to enroll in the DIS Thermodynamics course during the same term as this course.
Program Contact:	CE@dis.dk

Course Description

Traditional energy platforms rely on energy extraction from fossil fuels and a centralized system for energy distribution to consumers. Our warming world, however, requires major transformations in these current energy systems. In Scandinavia, these disruptions are already underway. This course focuses on decarbonizing the global economy while moving us toward localized and renewable energy ecosystems. How do we shift linear, one-way power flows – from centralized energy generation to end consumers – to more sustainable, digitized, and dynamic energy systems? Study the technological and societal considerations needed to implement these new platforms, which aim to reduce our carbon footprint while moving societies toward the energy cloud – a dynamic and decentralized energy ecosystem that manages local energy sources, supply, and demand. 

The course has a modular structure, as follows:

Module 1: Renewable energy systems

• Renewable energy introduction
• Solar energy
• Wind energy
• Hydro power
• Geothermal energy
• Bioenergy
• Marine energy

Module 2: Local renewable energy grids

• Power systems
• Thermal systems
• Energy storage
• Design of decentralised power grids
• Design of decentralised thermal grids

Module 3: Design of renewable energy projects 

• Systems management for supply, demand, distribution and storage of energy
• Assessment of local renewable energy resources
• Energy scenarios
• Assessment of economical impact
• Assessment of environmental impact
• Assessment of impact on local communities

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the connections between energy usage, climate change and the economy, as well as the consequences of the two formers on our societies
• Describe major techno-economic aspects of renewable energy systems, including wind energy, hydropower, photovoltaic systems, geothermal energy, solar thermal energy, marine energy and bioenergy
• Explain the main physics principles behind each renewable energy source
• Explain the rationale and engineering design considerations behind (local) renewable energy systems
• Explain the need and utility of sensors and cloud-based computing support to manage production, consumption, distribution and storage of locally-produced energy
• Reflect upon opportunities and drawbacks of building networks of local and renewable energy platforms taking into account societal and economic needs 
• Propose future steps in the design of energy clouds to optimize energy consumption in smart cities

Faculty

Asterios Papageorgiou

PhD in Industrial Ecology, KTH, Sweden, 2025

M.Sc. in Sustainable Technology, KTH, 2018

M.Sc. in Sustainable Waste Management, Leeds University, UK, 2006

Has conducted research and published articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and book chapters on topics such as renewable energy systems (e.g., solar microgrids and biochar systems), waste management, circular economy, urban metabolism, and life cycle assessment. Has also taught various post-graduate courses at KTH and supervised student theses. Previously, served as a senior environmental specialist in the private sector. 

With DIS since 2021.

Readings

Textbook:

Fundamentals and Applications of Renewable Energy (2020). McGraw-Hill. By Mehmet Kanoglu, Yunus Cengel, John Cimbala.

• Chapters 1-12

We will have two course-integrated field studies to learn about how renewable energy systems are designed, built, optimized or utilized. Field studies may include (these are examples):

• A visit to the KTH Live-in Lab. The Live-in Lab is a human built-environment lab with a great number of sensors recording all types of energy and indoor climate data. This digitalized platform provides opportunities for researchers to investigate sustainability innovations.
• A visit to the Ropsten sea-water heat pump facility, one of the largest in the world.
• A visit to a district heating plant in Stockholm

Guest Lectures

Guest lecturers (experts in specific aspects of energy systems) will be invited to talk about topics of particular interest to students.

Approach to Teaching

We use various teaching methods, including interactive lectures, flipped classroom, class discussions, critical analysis of reading material, field studies, and group work. We analyze state-of-the-art published research in the form of journal club. The pace and specific activities planned for certain days may change, depending on your interests.

We place a strong trust in your willingness to learn and your active participation in the course. You are the main actor and main responsible of your learning journey.

Here are some tips to boost your learning and knowledge retention: How to Study Effectively for School or College [Top 6 Science-Based Study Skills] - YouTube

Expectations of the Students

• Active participation and a willingness to learn are essential components of the course. You play the central role in your own learning journey. As such you are expected to:
  
  • Participate actively during lectures, discussions, group work, and exercises.
  • Read the material prior to class session. This is important for your learning, as a considerable part of the class depends on class discussions.
• You need to be present and participating to receive full credit. Your final grade will be affected by any unexcused absences and a lack of active participation. Remember to be in class on time!
• Classroom etiquette includes being respectful of other opinions, listening to others and entering a dialogue in a constructive manner.
• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• Students shall honestly disclose used sources/references as well as any help received in assignments.
• In an oral assignment/exam, every student must be able to present and answer questions about the whole assignment and corresponding solution(s).
• Laptops may be used for note‐taking, fact‐checking, or assignments in the classroom, but only when indicated by the instructor. At all other times, laptops and electronic devices should be put away during class meetings.

Use of AI

This course follows a limited use policy for AI tools. AI can support your learning by helping you explore new topics, identify relevant literature and consider different perspectives. However, the core intellectual work of your assignments should reflect your own knowledge, ideas, and understanding. As with any tool, especially AI, be thoughtful about how it affects your learning. Learning often depends on the productive difficulty of exploring unfamiliar ideas, working through challenges, and developing your own understanding. Over-reliance on AI can bypass the cognitive work through which learning happens. If you are unsure about what is permitted for a particular assignment, or how AI may be used, ask before using it.

Evaluation

Participation:

• Class attendance, preparation for lectures and other sessions, active participation in learning activities and class discussions. 
• Graded assignments related to lectures.

Exam:

• Open book exam to evaluate: 1) your understanding of the material covered in class and in the textbook, 2) problem-solving capability regarding renewable energy systems/sources and 3) your ability to think critically about renewable energy systems/sources and their design.

Journal club: 

• Critically review and present the methods and key findings of a research paper on renewable energy systems.

Final project: 

• Students conduct a research project where they analyze engineering principles, structure, affordances and limitations of an energy system currently established or under development. As part of the project, students also propose modifications or future developments for the analyzed system, with focus on societal needs, economy and sustainability. Students will prepare an oral presentation of their project, and submit a written report.

Grading