Course content

The course addresses global warming, the human health and ecological effects of toxic emissions, acidification and eutrophication. The course provides a introduction to methods for the assessment of environmental effects of technical systems and products: risk analysis, life-cycle assessment and external costs. The focus is on emissions from energy systems and technologies used in the energy sector. The course discusses the use, assumptions, strengths and limitations of these methods. Options and measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases are reviewed in terms of their effectiveness and side-effects. Through these methods will the students be able to understand the relation between technology and environmental problems in order to identify option for more sustainable technical systems.

Learning outcome

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the environmental consequences of energy systems, of quantitative impact assessment methods, and skills for building simple models for the purpose of environmental impact assessment.

Learning methods and activities

The lectures focus on knowledge of different types of environmental probelms and of methods to assess environmental impacts. Exercises aim at enabling the student to set up simple models to describe different processes ocurring in nature. The models consist of sets of equations and are solved on paper or with the use of Excel or Matlab. The reading contributes to an understanding of the connections in the material and a more in-depth treatment. There is a requirement for a minimum number of problem sets to be handed. The course is thaught in English. A missed exam (continuation exam) can be given as an oral exam.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

A course in university-level chemistry, differential equations and linear algebra.

Course materials

Course reader.

Credit reductions