Study information

Life Cycle Analysis - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLELife Cycle Analysis CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENE3004 MODULE CONVENERProf Xiaoyu Yan (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 25
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
This module introduces you to the concept, methodologies and available tools and databases of life cycle analysis (LCA) and its applications in the energy industry, covering different energy generation and consumption technologies.   
 
The module is suitable for all students that have completed the first 2 years on the undergraduate BSc and MEng Renewable Energy degree programmes and is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways involving similar studies.
AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to give you a holistic view of the sustainability of different energy technologies, covering technical, environmental, economic and social aspects, as well as practical skills to conduct life cycle analysis.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1.have a good understanding of the sustainability of different energy technologies (M7).
2.use the analytical technique life cycle assessment (LCA) and readily available LCA software tools and databases for holistic environmental impact assessment of products, technologies and solutions (M3) 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge
3.identify and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to reach conclusions in terms of the environmental performance of products, technologies and solutions with awareness of the uncertainties (M4) 
4.identify and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to collect good quality data needed for environmental impact assessment using LCA (M4) 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge
5.develop interdisciplinary and holistic thinking with regard to sustainability (M7)
6.draw appropriate conclusions under different circumstances and/or with limited information while being aware of limitations of the methodology  
7.produce high-quality technical reports 

 

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
  • Introduction to the concept, methodologies and common tools and databases of LCA and its scientific, policy and industrial/commercial context
  • LCA of electricity generation from conventional and unconventional fossil fuels, hydro and nuclear power plants, solar energy technologies including PV and concentrated solar power, onshore and offshore wind turbines, and wave and tidal devices
  • LCA of bioenergy systems, primarily liquid biofuels
  • LCA of transport technologies and fuels, covering combustion engines and conventional and alternative fuels and various electric vehicles including hybrid, plugin hybrid, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
  • Use of LCA software such GaBi or OpenLCA
  • Comparing different energy technologies using LCA and understanding its limitations
  • Writing LCA reports
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 30.00 Guided Independent Study 120.00 Placement / Study Abroad 0.00
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 30 Lectures, tutorials and workshops
Guided Independent Study 120 Private Study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Coursework 1 30 2000 words equivalent written words 1, 3, 5, 6 Written
Coursework 2 70 4000 words equivalent written words 1-7 Written

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Coursework 1 Coursework (2000 words) 30% 1, 3, 5, 6 Referral/Deferral Period
Coursework 2 Coursework (4000 words) 70% 1-7 Referral/Deferral Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
 
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

ISO 14040:2006 Environmental management -- Life cycle assessment -- Principles and framework     

ISO 14044:2006 Environmental management -- Life cycle assessment -- Requirements and guidelines
 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

ELE

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN Search
Set Curran, Mary Ann Life Cycle Assessment Handbook: A Guide for Environmentally Sustainable Products Wiley 2012 978-1-118-09972-8 [Library]
Set Sorensen, Bent Life-Cycle Analysis of Energy Systems: From Methodology to Applications Royal Society of Chemistry 2011 978-1-84973-145-4 [Library]
Set Singh, Anoop; Pant, Deepak; Olsen, Stig Irving (Eds.) Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources Springer 2013 978-1-4471-5363-4 [Library]
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Saturday 09 March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Sunday 17 March 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH Life cycle analysis, sustainability, energy, environment, emission, impact

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.