FUNDAMENTALS OF ENERGY SYSTEMS

Energy, environmental and human aspects are very important for the present and future of the planet and human activities. After centuries of resource exploitation, a paradigm shift is needed in which human and natural ecosystems are able to co-exist and evolve together. In this perspective, the supply, use, exploitation of energy resources and the reduction of the environmental impact, resulting from their use, not only represent important issues of a political-economic nature, but they are a real technical pivotal challange. The energy transition already underway is the fundamental step towards this change.

Students will acquire a broad and fundamental knowledge of issues such as: energy systems, energy resources and sources, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) objectives, past-present-future energy scenarios and from the point of view of emissions, environmental impact, transition energy, mobility, challenges and limits posed by current technology. They will be able to understand the general functioning of systems for the production of electricity, recognizing their advantages, disadvantages, problems, historical evolution and future challenges. All of this, placed in a topical perspective of the topics covered, will allow the student to create his own reasoned and scientific idea on topics of great interest for this historical period, providing him with the necessary tools to understand what is happening in the world.

The are no specific pre-requirements. The course is meant for all those who have a propensity and interest in energy, environmental and human areas.

The main objective is to provide general knowledge on nowadays energy challenge.

In particular we propose to:
-provide knowledge on the production, distribution and use of energy in its various forms taking into consideration both renewable and non-renewable sources;
-assess the environmental and socio-economic implications of energy systems especially in regard of climate change and the effects on the environment and health of human beings.

During the course, the main topics covered will be the following.
- Climate objectives, Demographic trend in relation to energy consumption in the world, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investments, Emission scenarios, Equity in the distribution of resources and climate effects, Decarbonisation, focus on the European Union and Italy , Energy poverty and access to resources.
- Types of energy sources, Reserves and resources, Analysis of RES (Renewable Energy Sources) in the world, demand and consumption trend, Distribution networks and energy flexibility, Evolution of distribution networks, Smart grids and Information and Communication Technologies
- Forms of energy and their conversion
- Fossil fuels: definitions, historical trends, analysis of demand, consumption and production in the world, reserves and time of depletion, price trends and historical events, storage and trade, producers, exporters and importers, environmental and social impact
- Energy transition, objectives, Energy strategy of the European Commission, Integrated national plans for energy and climate, European Green Deal, Energy union
- RES: definition and potential, focus on the Italian scenario: the current situation, the advantages and future opportunities considering all aspects of the energy transition
- Sustainable mobility as a tool towards a complete transition
- Ecological footprint, carbon footprint and biocapacity
- Nuclear energy
- Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar PV and other uses of solar
- Hydrogen
- Biomass
- Technology challenges: Energy from the ocean

There are no reference texts.
The material will be provided by the teacher and will consist of course slides, additional in-depth documents, main sources used during the lessons such as reporting and analysis documents, and other material of interest that can stimulate the student's curiosity and knowledge even beyond the end of the course.

The exam to verify the students' learning of the course contents will be written with open questions on the topics covered during classes.

Frontal teaching with the support of slides and video projection.

Italian

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development