Course Syllabus

Energy Cloud: Engineering Localized, Digitized, Sustainable Networks

Semester & Location:	Spring 2024 - DIS Stockholm
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:	Engineering, Environmental Science
Prerequisite(s):	Two mathematics courses, four courses in basic science (biology, chemistry, physics), and one engineering course, at university level
Faculty Members:	Willem Mazzotti Pallard (current students please use the Canvas Inbox)
Program director:	Natalia Landázuri Sáenz, Ph.D.
Academic support:	academics@disstockholm.se
Time & Place:	Fridays, 11:40- 14:35, Classroom: 1D-410

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
• Energy storage
• Power systems
• Thermal systems

Module 2: Design of renewable energy projects 

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

Module 3: Local renewable energy grids

• Design of decentralised power grids
• Design of decentralised thermal grids
• Energy scenarios and business models

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

Willem Mazzotti Pallard

Readings

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

• Chapter 1:  Introduction to Renewable Energy, 1.1-1.2
• Chapter 2:  Review of Thermal Sciences, 2.1-2.7
• Chapter 3:  Fundamentals of Solar Energy, 3.1-3.4
• Chapter 4:  Solar Energy Applications, 4.1-4.7
• Chapter 5:  Wind Energy, 5.1-5.6
• Chapter 6:  Hydropower, 6.1-6.6
• Chapter 7:  Geothermal Energy, 7.1-7.7
• Chapter 8:  Biomass, 8.1-8.6
• Chapter 9:  Ocean Energy, 9.1-9.4
• Chapter 11:  Economics of Renewable Energy, 11.1-11.4
• Chapter 12: Energy and the Environment, 12.1 and 12.4

We will have two course-integrated field studies to learn about how renewable energy systems are designed, built, optimized or utilized. 

The first field study will consist of a visit to Bengt Dahlgren AB (Stockholm, Sweden), a consulting company in the energy and building sectors followed by a visit of the Hammarby heating plant, one of the largest wastewater heat pump facilities in the world. 

The second field study will be a visit to the KTH Live-in Lab. "KTH Live-In Lab is a platform for accelerated innovation in the real-estate sector, and for collaboration between academia and business. Most test beds in KTH Live-In Lab are operated in real environments for testing and researching new technologies and new methods. The purpose of KTH Live-In Lab is to reduce the lead times between test/research results and market introduction. In this way, KTH Live-In Lab aims to facilitate the advent of the sustainable and resource-effective buildings of the future." 

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.

Guest Lectures

Guest lecturers (experts in specific aspects of the energy cloud) 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 analyse 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

• As a teacher, I will place a strong trust in you: you are the main responsible for your learning and, as such you should:
  • 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
• 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
• 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).

Evaluation

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class, all of the assigned work must be completed.

You are expected to turn in all assignments on the due date. If an assignment is turned in after the due date, your assignment grade will be reduced by 10 points (over 100) for each day the submission is late.

Grading

Active participation: Includes attendance, preparation for lectures and other sessions, active participation in learning activities, and class discussions. 

Exams: Open book exams 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.

Assignments:  Assignments related to field studies, graded surveys in preparation for class, quizzes related to reading material, and quizzes related to journal club.

Journal club: Journal club consists of group work, presentations, and class discussions. These serve to develop our skills in critical thinking, critical reading, teamwork, structuring information for presentations, and developing presentations. You will work in groups to present a scientific article focused on the latest developments related to renewable energy systems, energy grids or management of energy supply and demand. Each group should clearly present the findings and conclusions of the article. The journal club presentation should follow a logical and clear structure. It should include the most relevant information on the background, methods, results and perspectives of the paper, along with a well-reasoned critique of methodologies and conclusions. The rest of the class should read the paper and prepare 1-2 questions each, for the presenting group.

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

Active participation	10%
Exams	30%
Assignments	15%
Journal club	10%
Final project	35%

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

 

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