Sustainable Energy And Gas Resources For Developing Countries

This course examines many of the technical and non-technical issues related to the delivery of accessible, affordable and appropriate energy services and housing in developing countries. Energy is a critical input to economic growth and development, but per capita energy use in developing countries remains many times smaller than it is in developed countries, with between 1.2 and 1.5 billion people worldwide without access to modern energy services. Energy and housing serve basic needs and are critical aspects of rural service delivery needed to improve livelihoods and as an enabling factor of people’s engagement in productive activities. These are central to meeting ambitions such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Although energy poverty remains widespread, net energy use in many developing countries is rapidly increasing as a result of industrialisation, population growth and economic development. The course will also review basic thermodynamics, discuss different types of green energy resources. The course further recognizes that the increased use of energy has environmental and security of supply implications, at both local and global scales, particularly in relation to resource scarcity, climate change and import dependence.

COURSE JUSTIFICATION/RATIONALE
This course examines the production and consumption of energy from a systems perspective. Sustainability is examined by studying global and regional environmental impacts, economics and consumption patterns. The current energy system that encompasses resource extraction, conversion processes and end-users are covered.

Responses to current challenges such as declining fossil fuels and climate change are explored with an emphasis on emerging renewable energy technologies (e.g., biomass, wind, and photovoltaics), building technologies, alternative vehicle technologies, and end-use efficiency and conservation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

• Discuss the basic and fundamental technological, economic, and social factors related to use of various forms of renewable energy – solar, wind, biofuels, and other alternative and renewable energy resources, and their use in developing countries.
• Discuss the tradeoffs between use of energy to raise the standard of living and the impact resulting from use of energy to the environmental pollution
• Interprete how public policy can direct citizen’s efforts in wiser use of energy resources, energy conservation, and prevention of pollution to the environment.
  
• Apply a range of methodologies, frameworks and best practices for the design and implementation of sustainable building and energy projects, related programs, markets and institutions in developing countries.
• Recognize past experiences with energy and housing interventions in developing countries and lessons learnt.
  

LEARNING OUTCOMES
A student completing the course is expected to:

• Present different technologies used in harnessing renewable energy resources, and their use in developing countries.
• Discuss the tradeoffs between use of energy to raise the standard of living and the impact resulting from use of energy to the environmental pollution
• Apply public policies on the use of energy resources, energy conservation, and prevention of pollution to the environment.
• Apply a range of methodologies and best practices for the design of sustainable energy in developing countries.
• Recognize past experiences with energy and housing interventions in developing countries and lessons learnt.