Energy issues have always been important in international relations, but in recent years may have become even more important than in the past due to the widespread awareness of existing limits to energy sources and negative climate impacts. The course discusses global trends in energy consumption and production, various available scenarios for potential developments in the coming decades, the availability of oil reserves and the evolution of the oil industry.
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It then discusses natural gas and highlights the differences between oil and gas. It will also discuss renewable energy sources, nuclear energy and EU energy policy.
The course aims at providing students whose main interest is in international relations a background on energy resources, technology and economic realities to allow them to correctly interpret the political impact of current developments. It also aims at providing students, who already have a technical background in energy science or engineering, with the broad global view of energy issues that will allow them to better understand the social, economic and political impact of their technical knowledge.
RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND :
The course requires no special scientific, mathematical or economic background; all key concepts are clearly and elementarily explained. It is expected that it will be of interest to undergraduate and graduate students in schools where an equivalent course is not offered (this being the case for the vast majority of schools).
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction to global energy trends and scenarios
This module presents the Introduction to global energy consumption, Energy scenarios, Energy transition and poverty
WEEK 2
Policies for decarbonisation
WEEK 3
Renewable energy sources
This module presents the Introduction to renewable energy, Types of renewable energy, Renewable energy integration, Energy efficiency
WEEK 4
Oil production, reserves and ressources
This module presents the Introduction to oil formation and exploration, Oil extraction methods, Environmental management in oil production
WEEK 5
The economics and geopolitics of natural gas
This module presents the Introduction to natural gas, The international gas market, New gas developments
WEEK 6
Nuclear Energy
This module presents the Introduction to Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Energy for electricity generation, Safety of Nuclear Energy
WEEK 7
Security of supply and demand
WEEK 8
Energy and development
