Energy Systems Modelling and Analysis

ENCN423 or ENCN627 or ENME405 or ENME605 or ENGR404 or subject to approval of the Head of Department.

Timetable Note

This course includes a combination of lectures and interactive applications. Each weekly session meets for 2 hours. Below is the proposed course timetable.


1 What is energy systems analysis – overview and introduction into optimisation
2 Energy transitions planning – our first linear optimization toy model
3 Energy transitions planning – optimization for large systems
4 Energy transitions planning – modelling Power-to-X (power, heat and transport sectors)
5 Energy transitions planning – calculating a microgrid
6 From nature to electricity - modeling a renewable power plant
7 Energy markets – calculating marginal prices and carbon taxes
8 Smart transportation – modeling future energy demands of transportation (online)
9 Smart heating – modeling a building energy management system
10 Deciding beyond costs – multi-objective optimization
11 Planning for an uncertain future – robust and adaptive decisions
12 Project presentations

Note: This is a general guide for the course and is subject to change. Up-to date information will be available on Learn.
This course will use flipped/interactive classrooms as much as possible. This requires preparing each class by reading the corresponding material at home. Each class usually starts with a summary given by the lecturer, followed by an application of the content to a concrete example. The course material will be presented using slides, written notes, videos, and assigned readings. At the postgraduate level you are expected to put in considerable time outside lectures to refine your understanding through material revision, reading recommended papers, seeking additional material in the literature, and preparing your own models. Below is a rough guide for the time you are expected to spend on the various aspects of the course.

Contact Hours
Lectures - 24 Hours

Independent study
Literature review - 24 Hours
Assignments - 24 Hours
Project - 54 Hours
Individual learning - 24 Hours

Total 150

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Jannik Haas

Assessment

The assessment for this course has three major components: reading before class, calculation (sizing or applications) assignments, and a project and its corresponding presentation.

Assessment: Readings quizzes
Percentage: 10%
Date: Throughout the semester

Assessment: Calculation assignments
Percentage: 40%
Date: Throughout the semester

Assessment: Project and presentation
Percentage: 50%
Date: Last class

The readings, often journal publications or book chapters, will be available on Learn and quizzed (open book, no time limit) before class to enable flipped/interactive classrooms as much as possible. The assignments are quantitative applications of the material seen in class. A major assessment for this course is a research project and its associated presentation on modelling an energy system. You will receive the details of the research project during the first term of the course, and you are expected to integrate your learnings from the entire semester in your final report. In the final week, you will present your research to the class.

Textbooks / Resources

Electronic copies of required readings, video recordings, and course resources will be
provided through the course Learn page.

Notes

Entry to this course is subject to completing ENCN423 or via approval from the Director of Studies of the Renewable Energy Programme.

Indicative Fees

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 8 people apply to enrol.