Energy, Environment Economy

MTLE 6961, MTLE 4962, MGMT 4962, MGMT 6966

Energy Domain Presentations

Energy Domain Topics--- Choose One

  1. Coal
  2. Oil
  3. Gas
  4. Nuclear fission
  5. Nuclear fusion
  6. Solar
  7. Wind
  8. Geothermal
  9. Energy Storage (chose one type of storage)
  10. Biomass
  11. Hydrogen and Hydrogen fuel cells
  12. Hydro power
  13. Water Waves (Marine)
  14. The smart grid

Objective: Become familiar with energy domains including their importance to the energy sector, and technological, social, economic and legal complexities surrounding their employment. Highlightareas of debate (e.g., environmental impact) or noteworthy points influencing different energy choices and their acceptance and/or use.

Presentation Structure

Give an overview of a particular domain energy domain.Presentations should be about 20 minutes long. The topics are huge. So in addition to brief introduction, choose interesting points, or present an interesting case, perhaps not widely known (e.g., transporting of oil by rail from North Dakota via Canada to the Port of Albany).Do not shy away from thought-provoking statements.

Energy Domain Presentations should cover the following:

  1. An example of an R&D program/technology development that could be important for the development or sustainability of this domain. For example if the domain was solar or wind energy 3D printed solar energy trees and their potential impact on solar or wind energy use, or if the focus was on coal,new carbon capture technologies and the use of fossil fuels.
  2. Sources and resources. For example for a focus on oil, the advantages/ disadvantages of extracting oil from tar sands, fracking (oil shale) or deep water ocean drilling.
  3. Transformation(Production). For example if the choice is oil or gas how do regulatory regimes affect production? What new technologies or practices have led to increased US production?
  4. Delivery and optimal uses.For example if the choice is electricity with a focus on the transportation sector should charging stations be in the home, adapted to our existing gas delivery infrastructure or incorporated into a new type of infrastructure? Should the focus be on public (e.g. bus) or private (car) transportation? If the choice is gas what are the debates surrounding long distance pipeline delivery. If the choice is biomass, should the focus of consumption be on heating, electricity or transportation?
  5. Technological challenges. For example scaling the fusion process to commercial proportionsrequires1) advanced materials that can extract heat effectively while surviving neutron-induced weakening for extended periods of time as well 2) better superconducting magnets for use in containment of the fusion process and 3) advanced vacuum systems. What is a realistic timeframe for meeting such requirements?
  6. Social, legal, economic ethical challenges. For example the role of subsidies in stimulating the use of new energy technologies or supporting infant industries such as geothermal. If the choice is hydroelectric what are best practices regarding disrupting ecosystem balance, displacement of people, financing?

Cover each topic, but focus more in depth on thought-provoking points orareas related to your topic. After a quick overview narrowing the topic down is certainly acceptable.

Each session should end byposing a question to the class about a solution to one of the challenges identified for this domain.