Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - SEE 810 G100

Sustainability and Sustainable Energy Technologies (3)

Class Number: 7474

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Oct 6, 2023: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Oct 11 – Dec 5, 2023: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    Open to SEE MASc students or permission of the Graduate Program Chair. Corequisite: SEE 896 (MASc) or SEE 897 (PhD).

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the core concepts of sustainability for graduate students in the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE). Principles of sustainability and the role of technology in addressing critical challenges relating to society’s use of energy are discussed. Specific topics will include technologies for low-impact/renewable electrical energy generation, distribution, and utilization in stationary and mobile applications. It is required for students in the SEE MASc program and is optional for students in the SEE PhD program.

COURSE DETAILS:

Topics Covered

  • Exploring complexity of sustainability concepts, including the UN SDGs
  • Global energy flows, environmental and societal impacts
  • Technologies for sustainable energy harvesting, storage and transmission
  • End uses of energy and strategies for energy conservation
  • Energy conversion technologies and service delivery

Course Organization

The course will be delivered as a lecture/tutorial style and will include group and self-directed learning components. For the course project, the students will work in small groups to explore the drivers and barriers to improving the sustainability of a specific technological application within a major energy system.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  1. Define different viewpoints on the meaning of sustainability and express these views in the context of energy systems;
  2. Explain the primary sources, carriers, and end-uses of energy in modern society;
  3. Identify and quantify the main energy losses/inefficiencies and environmental impacts of energy technologies; and
  4. Evaluate a specific energy technology from multiple viewpoints including economic, environmental, and societal implications.

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.