KOUT 2070 - Introduction to Energy Modelling Fundamentals

The course provides an overview of the energy systems and the ways they are represented in major energy policy models.

The course is well-suited for students with a good understanding of key concepts in Energy Economics and a strong familiarity with Excel.

It is strongly recommended that students who apply for this course have covered these bases in order to be able to fully benefit from the course. It details the main factors influencing energy demand and supply and outlines the fundamentals of major sectors. Several examples and calculations are proposed and requested throughout the course – to be done mainly in Excel. The course presents also the scenarios approach and the link between climate and energy models.

Beyond the energy representations, the course aims to highlight the purposes for which energy models are used, how they work and what their limitations are. This will give students a deep understanding of energy models and therefore, of the strengths and weaknesses of forward looking studies.

Learning Outcomes and skills:

• Understand key drivers behind energy modelling
• Understand how to represent energy policies in energy modelling, to estimate their effects
• Understand the complexity of energy system modelling, including effectiveness and limitations

Professional Skills:

• Use Excel tools and calculations related to energy modelling
• Develop the ability to critically interpret model results.

Good understanding and familiarity with the use of Excel is mandatory.

Course of Energy Economics.

A self-assessment test will be organized for students interested in this course.

-Lecture and tutorials

• Excel exercises
• Guest presentation from sectoral experts (buildings and transport)
• Students presentations
• Quizzes

Feedback is provided through personal emails for both mid-term and final exams.

Feedback is provided also for the home exercises and solutions are discussed in session when needed.

The course will have two assessments: one mid-term and one final exam.

Both assessments will have a question part and an Excel exercise part.

The assessments will account respectively for 30% and 50% of the final grade.

The remaining 20% will be attributed during the semester following group work and individual Excel exercises.

• Attendance: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 26 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 30 hours a semester
• Preparing Home exercises and other excel: 20 hours a semester