58吃瓜

PH1013 The Physics of Sustainable Energy

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

13:00

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr L Krishnan Jagadamma

Dr L Krishnan Jagadamma
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Lethy Krishnan Jagadamma, Dr Jean-Charles Ribierre

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module begins with an overview of the development of major energy converters and fuel types over the past few centuries. It then introduces the foundations of sustainable energy systems, including key concepts in energy science such as energy units, forms, and basic 鈥渆nergy arithmetic,鈥� as well as the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The course also explores Earth鈥檚 energy budget, the natural and anthropogenic greenhouse effect, and key decarbonisation pathways for achieving net鈥憐ero emissions by 2050, along with the major technologies that underpin these transitions. Building on this foundation, the module examines the physics (presented without advanced mathematics) and technological principles of a range of clean energy technologies, including solar photovoltaics, wind energy, tidal and ocean energy, and electric vehicles. Additional topics covered in depth include nuclear energy, waste-to-energy processes, energy storage, smart and energy鈥慹fficient buildings, sustainable transportation, and environmental assessments of different energy systems. The course also provides a brief introduction to energy economics, covering energy demand and supply, and cost鈥揵enefit analysis of low鈥慶arbon technologies.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

(HIGHER MATHEMATICS GRADE B) AND (HIGHER PHYSICS GRADE B OR HIGHER CHEMISTRY GRADE B), OR EQUIVALENTS

Assessment pattern

Coursework - 40%, Written exam - 60%

Re-assessment

Coursework - 40%, Written exam - 60%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 or 3 lectures (x11 weeks), 1 tutorial (x 5 weeks), 1 workshop (x 11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

44

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

156

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Apply principles of physics to evaluate the efficiency limits of several low-carbon technologies and identify what what kinds of renewable energy and storage is good for homes in developed vs developing countries.
  • Explain the fundamental physics behind several low-carbon technologies.
  • Compare and contrast the merits and drawbacks of renewables over fossil fuels.
  • Demonstrate transferrable research and presentation skills in the context of the physics of sustainability