MEBn5012 Electricity Industry: Conventional Technologies

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Tomáš Vlček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Tomáš Vlček, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites
! ESS421 Energy Commodities I. && ! MEB412 Tech Ec Aspects of Energy II && ! ESSn5021 Energy Commodities I. && !NOWANY( ESS421 Energy Commodities I. , MEB412 Tech Ec Aspects of Energy II , ESSn5021 Energy Commodities I. )
Ability to read and speak English
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to cover the basic mechanics, designs and technologies of energy producing devices and plants. The main focus is on explaining the mechanisms and operations of energy production plants and some important features of the technology and the economy/economics for conducting energy-related research or evaluating energy policies. The course therefore focuses on the following main areas: the production chains, the use of energy commodities, the relationship between energy and the economy, and the marketing of energy commodities. The Energy Commodities I course includes topics on the principles of electricity production, transport and consumption, the coal industry, nuclear energy, renewable energy and modern technologies, trends in the technological and economic aspects of an energy sector, and other topics. Electrification of industry and consumption is a modern trend that increases the demand for production and quality of electricity. The course thus responds to modern trends in world energy policy.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to understand the basics of electricity production; understand the pros and cons of individual energy sources and explain their value chains in the whole production cycle; be able to make well-supported arguments on the topic of new energy sources; and be able to interpret basic academic energy-related texts of a technical nature.
Syllabus
  • 1) Introductory Session 2) Introduction to Electricity Industry I 3) Introduction to Electricity Industry II 4) Introduction to Electricity Industry III 5) Coal and Steam Power Plants 6) Nuclear Fuel Cycle 7) Environmental Aspects of Nuclear Energy 8) Nuclear Accidents and Disasters 9) Reading Week 10) Workshop 11) Renewable Energy Sources and Modern Technologies 12) Electricity Markets I 13) Electricity Markets II+III
Literature
    required literature
  • Barkatullah, N., & Ahmad, A. (2017): Current status and emerging trends in financing nuclear power projects. Energy strategy reviews, 18.
  • OECD/IEA (2018): Uranium 2018: Resources, Production and Demand. Paris: IEA Publications. https://www.oecd-nea.org/ndd/pubs/2018/7413- uranium-2018.pdf
  • Erkens, Jeff W. (2010). The Nuclear Imperative - A Critical Look at the Approaching Energy Crisis (More Physics for Presidents). Dordrecht/Heidelberg/London/New York: Springer.
  • SOVACOOL, Benjamin K. Contesting the future of nuclear power : a critical global assessment of atomic energy. Singapore: World Scientific, 2011, x, 296. ISBN 9789814322751. info
  • NERSESIAN, Roy L. Energy for the 21st century : a comprehensive guide to conventional and alternative sources. 2nd ed. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 2010, xiv, 401. ISBN 9780765624123. info
  • SMIL, Vaclav. Energy : a beginner's guide. Oxford: Oneworld publications, 2006, ix, 218. ISBN 9781851684526. info
  • BODANSKY, David. Nuclear energy : principles, practices, and prospects. 2nd ed. New York: Springer, 2004, xxii, 693. ISBN 0387207783. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, in-class discussions, reading of course-related literature
Assessment methods
Mid-term test, exam
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/MEBn5012