Module manager: Charlotte Botter
Email: c.d.botter@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 Jul to 31 Aug View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
GPA of 2.5 (US) or equivalent and enrolled at a university
This module is not approved as a discovery module
To reach both UK and global net zero targets, we need to investigate alternative sources of clean, sustainable energy. During this module, we will primarily focus on Geothermal, which offers the potential not only for sustainable energy but for also cooling and long-term heat storage. Geothermal energy is a growing industry expected to develop at a fast rate over the coming decade to support the essential global transition to clean, place-based energy both in the UK and internationally. The course will start by exploring where geothermal energy comes from, why we need it and how the heat is used and regulated. We will demonstrate a holistic approach combining earth sciences, engineering and social sciences through examples from across a range of geothermal settings. These include urban environments, such as the University of Leeds Geothermal Living Lab on campus, high temperature volcanics, such as Krafla in Iceland, and large basin and range systems such as those in the USA. We will then expand this knowledge to settings and policies suitable for the exploration of other clean energy that needs the use of the subsurface, such as wind farms, or to the storage of waste produced by nuclear energy. Learners will be able to explore how geothermal energy is an important part for our clean energy future, and a growing part of the world’s net-zero target. They will be able to explore relevant datasets and consider how to communicate information and outcomes to a diverse audience. A key aspect of the course will be to offer a flavour of the wide impact sustainable energy could have on our society. Through a series of case studies, learners will see how the geothermal energy can provide a clean, local source of heat and cooling, alongside the possibility to store energy from other available sources.
This module aims to:
Develop student’s interest into geothermal energy, where it comes from and how we can use it
Help student acquire knowledge on the complexity and implementation of geothermal systems for society
Develop students’ scientific communication and critical thinking skills
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated achievement of the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Describe what geothermal and other sustainable energies are, where it comes from and how we find it
2. Compare the different ways we can access, use and manage geothermal and sustainable energy
3. Identify the extent that geothermal can be used for heating, cooling and storage of energy
4. Experiment the complexities of developing a sustainable geothermal system and the need for collaboration across expertise
5. Develop an insight into bringing different perspectives to find a solution for the future
6. Communicate effectively to the various parties involved in a geothermal project.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Effective communication, receive and convey oral and written information and outcomes clearly, accurately, and appropriately for different audiences (work ready, enterprise)
2. Collaboration, build constructive, supportive and co-operative relationships with others, according to their specialty towards the achievement of shared goals and outcomes (work ready, sustainability)
3. Active learning, learn through practice, reading and discussion and adopting effective learning strategies for various source of information (work ready)
4. Systems thinking: Recognises and understands how parts of a system work together: analyses complex systems (environmental, economic and social systems and interdependencies across these); considers how systems are embedded within different domains and scales; deals with uncertainty; uses analytical thinking (sustainability)
Critical thinking, gather information from a range of sources, analyses, and interpret data to aid understanding, anticipate problems and, evidence-based decision-making. Uses reasoning and judgement to identify needs, solve problems, and respond with actions (work ready, sustainability, academic)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldwork | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Fieldwork | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Seminar | 8 | 3 | 24 |
| Private study hours | 58 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 42 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Each session will be an opportunity to work on the case study and get formative feedback from exercise and group discussion. There will be opportunity for formative feedback when working on the case studies.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Individual report on a geothermal case study | 50 |
| Coursework | Team debate on a geothermal case study | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 1/24/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team