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EC59C8: ISSUES IN ENERGY TRANSITION (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

In the face of climate change the energy system is undergoing a structural transition from fossil fuels to more sustainable methods of energy.  This is an unprecedented challenge what is required in terms of cooperation between countries, changes in technologies, and consumer behaviours. 

Learn about the international challenges as the energy system moves from fossil fuels to more sustainable methods of energy sources.  Expand your ability to analyse the key issues important in understanding how the world might make this transition.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Takahiko Kiso

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course will in depth at a number of topics associated with the energy transition

Environmental sustainability

  • The interdependence of the environment and the economic activity
  • What are the drivers of Environmental Impact?
  • How Economic Growth affects the environment?

International environmental agreements

  • Is environmental degradation a global challenge?
  • Overview of international environmental agreements
  • Participate of freeride? What drives countries decision to participate in an environmental agreement
  • Trade and the environment

Electricity markets

  • What is the role and economic nature of different elements of the electricity system (supply, transmission, distribution)
  • What is the electricity mix?
  • How do wholesale electricity markets work?
  • Understand the missing money problem in revenue only wholesale markets and how the integration of renewables affects this?
  • How can capacity markets help?

Energy efficiency issues from demand-side perspectives

  • What are the factors that affect households’ and firms’ adoption decisions of energy-efficient or low-carbon technologies?
  • Are there market or behavioural failures in these decisions?
  • How can government policies effectively assist the diffusion of these technologies?

Renewable Energy and Policy

  • What policy instruments are used to support the development of renewables and how do they work?
  • What is emissions trading and carbon offsetting and is it effective?
  • How do the dynamics of renewables costs develop using learning curves?

Oil and Gas Depletion Policy

  • How should governments manage oil and gas resources in in the energy transition?

At the end of this course you will be able to

  • Understand the nature of the economic and political challenges around the energy transition
  • Analyse different economic policy options to incentivize the energy transition

Evaluate different government policies and understand the policy trade-offs involved.


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Take Home Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 75
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

One exam style open book assessment consisting of up to five compulsory questions with a maximum of 3000 words for the entire assessment.  There is a one-week window to complete the examination.  

Overall feedback given on examinations via online webinar as required.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse economic policy options to incentivize the energy transition across the different topic areas.
ConceptualAnalyseAble to analyse when governments may not cooperate internationally.
ConceptualEvaluateAble to evaluate government policies and how they influence the energy transition process.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the trade-offs for between different economic goals associated policies used to support with the energy transition.
FactualUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature of the economic and political challenges around the energy transition.
FactualUnderstandUnderstand the role of individual behaviour of consumers and firms in determining the outcomes of the economic transition.

Class Test

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Distinct from those used for formative assessment, up to two online quizzes during the semester restricted to a single attempt and with time limit.  Feedback is given with correct answers after marking. Feedback is also given in webinars.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse economic policy options to incentivize the energy transition across the different topic areas.
ConceptualAnalyseAble to analyse when governments may not cooperate internationally.
ConceptualEvaluateAble to evaluate government policies and how they influence the energy transition process.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the trade-offs for between different economic goals associated policies used to support with the energy transition.
FactualUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature of the economic and political challenges around the energy transition.
FactualUnderstandUnderstand the role of individual behaviour of consumers and firms in determining the outcomes of the economic transition.

Tutorial/Seminar Participation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 5
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

For participation in online discussion and community.  Expectations set that students will contribute by posting at least once per week to online discussion forums either by posing a question or by responding and interacting with fellow students. Count of contributions across semester be tallied to allocate mark. Token submissions will not be counted.  A C6 will be given to the student if at the end of the module a student has failed to make any submissions to the online discussion forums across the semester. Feedback provided via webinars.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse economic policy options to incentivize the energy transition across the different topic areas.
ConceptualAnalyseAble to analyse when governments may not cooperate internationally.
ConceptualEvaluateAble to evaluate government policies and how they influence the energy transition process.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the trade-offs for between different economic goals associated policies used to support with the energy transition.
FactualUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature of the economic and political challenges around the energy transition.
FactualUnderstandUnderstand the role of individual behaviour of consumers and firms in determining the outcomes of the economic transition.

Formative Assessment

Progression and self-assessment tests

Assessment Type Formative Weighting 0
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Up to 5 progression tests consisting of up to ten questions each where detailed feedback is given for correct and incorrect answers. A progression test must be successfully completed before moving on to the next section.  

Up to 10 self-assessments ranging between 3 and 10 questions each, depending upon the content within the relevant topic. Detailed feedback is given for correct and incorrect answers.   

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse economic policy options to incentivize the energy transition across the different topic areas.
ConceptualAnalyseAble to analyse when governments may not cooperate internationally.
ConceptualEvaluateAble to evaluate government policies and how they influence the energy transition process.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the trade-offs for between different economic goals associated policies used to support with the energy transition.
FactualUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature of the economic and political challenges around the energy transition.
FactualUnderstandUnderstand the role of individual behaviour of consumers and firms in determining the outcomes of the economic transition.

Resit Assessments

Take Home Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

One exam style open book assessment consisting of up to five compulsory questions with a maximum of 3000 words for the entire assessment.  There is a one-week window to complete the examination. Overal feedback given on examination with online webinar as required.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature of the economic and political challenges around the energy transition.
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse economic policy options to incentivize the energy transition across the different topic areas.
ConceptualEvaluateAble to evaluate government policies and how they influence the energy transition process.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the trade-offs for between different economic goals associated policies used to support with the energy transition.
FactualUnderstandUnderstand the role of individual behaviour of consumers and firms in determining the outcomes of the economic transition.
ConceptualAnalyseAble to analyse when governments may not cooperate internationally.

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