Module Identifier GG30620  
Module Title ENERGY RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Aled P Rowlands  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Mutually Exclusive DA30620  
Course delivery Lecture   22 Hours. 11 x 2 hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   4 Hours. 4 x 1 hour  
  Practical   7 Hours. 7 x 1 hour  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours Written examination.50%
Semester Assessment Presentation: Presentation of project work to the class.20%
Semester Assessment Project Work: 3000 word project.30%
Supplementary Assessment 2 hour written examination (50%). Resubmit failed in-course assessment. 

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students will have knowledge of


Aims

The principle aim is to introduce the topic of Energy Resources and their Exploitation to both Physical and Human Geographers with emphasis on the environmental consequences of meeting our energy demands. A fundamental aim is to inform students of what is meant by "Energy", how it is used, how these needs have changed and how energy demands are met. Students are expected to acquire a clear understanding of the contemporary issues in energy resources through the study of fossil fuel, nuclear and renewable resources, developing an appreciation of the relative advantages and disadvantages of each. Central to this will be an understanding of the sensitivity of energy resource development to society and the environment. Energy resources in Wales will be extensively used to demonstrate these themes.

Content

The module addresses the subject of Energy Resources and their Exploitation and places significant emphasis on the environmental consequences of meeting our energy demands. We will discuss what is meant by "Energy", how it is used, how these needs have changed and how energy demands are met. A spectrum of different energy resources (fossil fuel, nuclear and renewable) will be considered in order to develop an appreciation of the relative advantages and disadvantages of each. Central to this will be an understanding of the sensitivity of energy resource development to society and the environment. Case studies of energy resources in Wales will be extensively used to illustrate these themes.

The use of fossil fuels will be discussed with the aim of understanding their distribution, the history of the industry and current themes. Consideration will be given to the nuclear industry, the issues relating to the subject in the UK and the problem of storage. The final section will focus on renewable energy, including solar, wind, wave and biomass. As part of this section a brief introduction will be given to earth's energy balance and the impact of energy use on global climate change.

Reading Lists

Books
Boyle, G. ed. (1996) Renewable energy : power for a sustainable future Oxford University Press
Brown, G.C. and Skipsey, E. (1986) Energy resources : geology, supply and demand Open University Press
Gore, A. (1992) Earth in the Balance Earthscan Publications Ltd.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6