Energy plays an important role in everyday life, starting from the morning breakfast after a shower. We interact with different forms of energy during the day knowingly or unknowingly. Engineering categories of energy are mechanical, thermal, electrical, nuclear and chemical. The predominant forms of the energy are thermal and mechanical, or energy converted using a mechanical device. Energy conversion using mechanical devices has been explored since ancient times; one such example is the use of the kinetic energy of wind to sail a boat. Presently, a high emphasizes is being placed upon the environment and sustainability, where the energy storage and conversion are more important than a decade ago. Furthermore, consequences of climate change are clearly visible, where the source of energy, methods for energy generation, storage and conversion are key drivers to achieve the goals of the green transition globally.

Energy and Sustainability (TEP4111) course is designed and developed for the engineering students enrolled in different study programs. The aim of the course is to lay the foundation for advanced courses through fundamental understanding of renewable energy and sustainability. The course serves as an introduction to sustainability analysis in the context of energy conservation, utilization, storage, and transportation, providing opportunities to consider ethical aspects of the energy transition, and to make well-informed choices by calibrating the available facts, government policies and societal view.

Broad topics:

1. United Nation Sustainable Development Goals
2. Green transition and societal perspectives

3. Energy sources, classifications, and historical developments

4. Renewable energy (Wind, Solar, Hydro, Biomass, Hydrogen)

5. Energy conversion and storage (thermal storage and electricity)

6. Energy demand and focus on energy efficiency in the food- and process sector

7. Life cycle analysis, environmental impact, sustainability, carbon footprint

Learning methods and activities

Classroom learning

Attending classroom lectures are important because main learning instructions are provided in classroom. The classroom lectures are mix of normal presentation, small exercise, quiz, etc. Learning contents are divided broadly into four specific modules. The first module covers the topics related to energy. Second module covers the topics on hydrogen, biogas, lifecycle analysis, carbon footprint and environmental impact. Third module covers the topics thermodynamic process, LNG, ammonia, food storage and processing. Fourth module covers the broad topics on UN sustainable development goals, societal perspectives on green energy, energy transition, sustainable developments, government policies at national and international levels.

Exercise

Exercises are valuable learning material that incorporates critical thinking, collaboration and making well-informed choices of the real-life sustainability challenges. 

We organize one physical laboratory exercise in this course. The exercises is focused on hydropower, more specifically hydraulic turbine. This is mandatory exercise for all, where all students go to the laboratory and conduct experiments. We also organize laboratory tours, where you have possibility see state-of-the-art research and laboratory infrastructure. We generally organize tour for two-three laboratories of Energy and Process Engineering Department, and scheduled for one day, mainly exercise hours. This tour is not mandatory but essential to know state-of-the-art work in this area.

Project work

Students are expected to carry out the project work parallel to the regular classroom lectures and exercises. Students are free to select the project work within the scope of this course. Project work is mainly independent group work. Project work can on the topics related to the energy, sustainability, environment, life-cycle analysis. Both theoretical, filed or laboratory type project work are acceptable.

Field trip

We organize one field trip, which is aimed to show real-life cases of energy and sustainability. Generally, the tour is scheduled for one day, 08:00 - 16:00 hrs, and the date is published based on approval from the corresponding firm/company. Primarily, we visit the Norsk Kylling at Orkanger.

Attendance

Attendance is essential for this course, but not mandatory. Students usually note down the important points during the lecture in the classroom. Therefore, physical attendance is invaluable to understand contents presented in the classroom. Since, we do not have dedicated book that covers all topics, contents covered in the classroom are the key material for reading and understanding the fundamental concepts.

Workload

The work load is 12 - 16 hours per week and the calculation is for understanding of hours distribution in TEP4111. It does not guarantee anything and takes no responsibility. Each student has different learning and cognitive level. This calculation provides the overview of hours distribution for different elements while developing the course and fulfilling the expectations.

Main elements in this course are:

1. Classroom lectures
2. Assignments/exercises
3. Project work
4. Project work presentation
5. Self-study or homework or pre-lecture work
6. Examination

TEP4111 is the foundation course at level 1. Total course credits are 7.5 SP (equivalent to 7.5 ECTS, European credit system). 1 ECTS corresponds to 24 - 30 hours of work. TEP4111 assumes 30 hours per credit therefore total assumed work hours are 30 x 7.5 = 225 hrs. The students are expected to spend minimum of 225 hrs in this course.

The autumn semester in NTNU typically spans over 14 weeks of work or teaching. Weekly work time hours distribution is,

*The remaining 116 hours are flexible, where students are expected work on solving exercises, self-study, homework, pre-lecture work, conducting project work and preparing for the final examination.

Examination and grade

Assessment in this course is divided into two parts (1) Project work, 25% and (2) Final examination, 75%.

At the end of the project work, group presentation is scheduled; it may be either power point or poster presentation. All students must present their project work at the scheduled date and time. The presentations are scheduled on the last teaching week of the semester. After the successful group presentation, the project report must be delivered through the examination system before the deadline. Assessment of the project work will take place through project report.

Learning and reading materials

This course does not have specific book for reading and preparing examination however, the maximum emphasizes  are placed on the contents covered in the classroom. The learning and reading materials include,

1. Power point presentations delivered in the classroom.
2. Topics covered in the classroom blackboard.
3. Topics covered in the exercises.
4. Hand notes and other learning material provided through Blackboard.

Student day

One day during the semester, we usually celebrate the student day. On this day 2 - 3 students make presentation on the topic of energy and sustainability. Specific date and practical information will be published during the semester on 'student day' page.

The students in the reference group should

• have ongoing dialogue with their fellow students about education quality,
• represent all the students in the reference group meetings,
• sum up the feedback to the course coordinator in a reference group report, including proposed adjustments.

Requirement

• Around 5 - 7 members. Each will be given responsibility of certain students.
• Not only girls, not only boys. 50 - 50 is ideal combination.
• Members should represent the class.
• Collect feedback from the students time-to-time. We expect both positive and negative comments that help to improve the course.
• Meeting with teachers (2-3 times) during the semester. Preferable time is exercise hours.

Course teaching team

Chirag Trivedi is the course coordinator and is responsible for teaching topics related to energy systems, energy conversion, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and societal perspectives on sustainability.

Chirag Trivedi, Associate Professor and course coordinator
Email: chirag.trivedi@ntnu.no

Armin Hafner teaches the process engineering component of the course, with a particular focus on heating and cooling technologies, including refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

Armin Hafner, Professor
Email: armin.hafner@ntnu.no

Jacob Joseph Lamb covers topics related to batteries, hydrogen, biogas, carbon footprint, life cycle assessment (LCA), and environmental impacts.

Jacob Joseph Lamb. Associate Professor
Email: jacob.j.lamb@ntnu.no