Conventional global energy systems
Question 1. Critically discuss the evolution of the current primary energy mix and demonstrate the principals of resource extraction and refining for conventional energy sources (fossil fuels and nuclear).
Question 2. Investigate how conventional energy sources are integrated into our global energy system (heat/transport/electricity).
Question 3. Critically analyse the current global energy situation; its impact on climate change, the social costs of our energy system, and the need for a decarbonised energy system.
Question 4. Evaluate future advances for fossil fuel and nuclear technologies (e.g., Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), grey hydrogen, hydraulic fracturing, shale/tar sands, nuclear fusion and small modular nuclear reactors).
Task and Mark distribution:
Task: To produce a Briefing Paper that fully utilises the allowable word-count, to demonstrate your evaluation of the future prospects for one of the following technologies:
- Carbon Capture & Storage
- Hydrogen
- Fracking (Hydraulic fracturing)
- Tar sands
- Nuclear Fusion
- Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
Your Briefing Paper should resemble a professional document with the following guidance:
A Briefing Paper can be written in an essay style or as an Article with sub-headings. There should be NO Report type structure, however.
There should be a simple title page showing Module Code, your name, ID number and date.
Inclusion of an Abstract, Executive Summary, or a Table of Contents, none of which are required, will result in a mark penalty.
The start point for your Briefing Paper should be the current year (2023), and the future timeline should be no more than 10 years. Do not waste word-count on a review of the historical evolution of your chosen technology.
You can choose to either make the briefing country-specific or a global overview, but not a mixture of both.
Page numbers are compulsory.
Avoid the use of numbered or bulleted lists, which are not commensurate with good academic writing at postgraduate level.
Ensure robust proof-reading before submission, and that spell checking has been performed using "English (UK)" settings.