Renewable Electricity Production and Electric Transport (3.5 ECTS credits)

About the course

The course aims to give students a solid grounding in the Swedish electricity system and the latest developments within it, including wind, solar, hydro, nuclear and wave power. It also covers recent advances in electric transport, focusing on both theoretical knowledge and practical aspects such as operating and charging electric vehicles. Students will gain an understanding of how different energy sources and emerging technologies integrate and interact within the electricity grid.

Learning objectives

On completing the course, the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Analyse and explain the reasons behind the transition to renewable energy and the electrification of transport.
• Compare and evaluate the characteristics and efficiency of different renewable energy sources and electric vehicles.

Skills and abilities

• Analyse issues relating to renewable energy production and to electric vehicles.
• Perform calculations of energy production and vehicle energy consumption.
• Evaluate and select sustainable solutions for energy production and transport.
• Critically review and communicate key concepts in sustainable energy and transport, based on literature studies and presentations.

Judgement and professional integrity

• Analyse and assess the ethical, societal and scientific implications of technology in different contexts.
• Evaluate and justify the role of technology and human responsibility in its use, taking social, economic and environmental aspects into account.
• Develop independent learning and contribute to research and development.

Content

This course explores the growing global need for sustainable energy, with a focus on renewable electricity production from wind, solar, nuclear and hydro power. It also covers how electricity systems function, including batteries, and the interplay between energy sources and the grid. Students will carry out five compulsory projects: analysing Sweden’s electricity system using real production data, evaluating the performance and annual electricity output of wind turbines, designing rooftop solar installations and assessing their cost-effectiveness, examining the energy consumption and charging needs of electric vehicles, and studying hydropower production in relation to water flow and head. The projects combine Excel-based simulations with structured reporting to put theoretical concepts into practice.

The course comprises five compulsory project assignments, one compulsory oral presentation session for reporting on the projects, and a final reflection report. It also includes nine scheduled online lectures (1–1.5 hours each) that summarise and update key topics, with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss, as well as six scheduled online tutorials focused on project support. In addition, students have access to 20 lessons (45 minutes each) for independent study.

Examination, including compulsory elements

Grading: Fail or Pass

Compulsory elements:

• Attend at least 5 of the 9 summary lectures.
• Take part in an individual online session to present and review the five compulsory assignments.
• Submit a final reflection report for the course.

Language of instruction

The course is taught in Swedish.