| CODE | IES5038 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Sources and Sinks: Energy, Water and Air 2: Modelling and Monitoring | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Institute of Earth Systems | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit forms part of a set of two study-units that will be offered sequentially. These will address the use of energy, water and air resources, focusing on pressures and impacts exerted through their use and related remediation tools. This second study-unit in the series focuses on four main aspects. First, it will build on students’ understanding of energy concepts and technologies to explore additional non-renewable (oil and gas), renewable (solar thermal, solar photovoltaics and wave) sources and energy storage (batteries, compressed air, hydraulic, hydrogen, etc.). The relevance of building design to energy conservation will also be explored, as will market transformations to sustainable energy. Second, the study-unit will explore air pollution monitoring and modelling techniques, with a particular focus on the impacts of the energy and transportation industry on atmospheric systems. Third, the study-unit will explore groundwater management and related aspects of potable water production and supply, as well as technologies for water pollution detection and remediation. Alternative water sources will be introduced, with a specific focus on desalination technologies and wastewater treatment. Finally, students will critically explore linkages between the various aspects discussed in the two study-unit through a review of relevant frameworks and approaches including the food-energy-water-waste nexus and circular economy principles. Relevant policy aspects will also be introduced, with a focus on trends and developments within Europe. The study-unit will also consider climate change as a cross-cutting theme. Study-Unit Aims: - Advance students’ understanding of impacts on the hydrosphere and atmosphere resulting from anthropogenic activities; - Develop students’ capacities to measure and evaluate such impacts, using a range of tools; - Introduce students to relevant remediation technologies; - Build students’ capacity to critically evaluate the relative advantages and disadvantages of different energy generation and efficiency tools in different geographical contexts; - Develop students’ ability to critically relate pressures, impacts and tools from across the water, energy, and air sectors, with reference to relevant analytical frameworks and management principles. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Understand the relationship and dependency of energy portfolios on different energy sources, demand profiles and energy accessibility; - Differentiate between different renewable energy technologies (solar thermal, solar photovoltaics) and energy storage options; - Identify different energy efficiency options suitable for application in buildings; - Identify and evaluate tools for potable water management, including use of alternative water sources. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Differentiate between different energy and renewable energy sources and technologies and evaluate their impact on greenhouse gases emissions or mitigation; - Identify appropriate energy efficiency measures for different building categories; - Apply techniques for analysis and modelling of air quality; - Relate air, water and energy-sector related issues through the use of appropriate analytical frameworks; - Appraise opportunities offered within these sectors to advance climate change adaptation and mitigation agendas. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Vasel-Be-Hagh, A. and Ting, D.S.K. (2020) Environmental Management of Air, Water, Agriculture and Energy. Routledge. + additional readings to be provided by faculty. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Co-requisite Study-units: IES5037 | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Fieldwork and Lab Sessions | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Marija Cauchi Robert N. Farrugia Julian Mamo Mark Scerri (Co-ord.) Charles Emile I. Yousif |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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