Course memo Autumn 2023
Course presentation
Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version Autumn 2022
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
The overall objective of the course is to explore basic energy system economic concepts related to energy infrastructure investments, energy-environment economics and the role of indicators for sustainable development.
The participants will gain practical experience in the use of a range of economic tools and models. These include basic linear programming techniques, the economic interpretation of energy models and economic indicators relating to policy and technology scenarios.
In a group project, they will use an energy system model to map key economic indicators to sustainable development goals, and further develop their critical skills in modelling and results interpretation.
Intended learning outcomes
After the course, the students should be able to:
- Explain key concepts in energy economics.
- Evaluate economic tools and apply them to examine energy investments and operation.
- Describe the economic drivers of long term energy transitions and critique how these are modelled.
- Develop and apply a techno-economic model to policies, technologies and other interventions using scenario analysis.
- Analyze key outputs of techno-economic models, including system costs and shadow prices, in combination with off-model data and interpret in terms of their social, economic and environmental dimensions and sustainable development.
- Communicate concepts of energy economics using written, spoken and visual media.
Learning activities
To those of you who have joined KTH on an exchange year and do not have experience of the Swedish education system, the level of self-led learning and responsibility placed upon you as a learner during this course may come as a surprise. MJ2383 is run using a “flipped-classroom” approach. This means that the majority of lecture-type material is delivered through self-led activities, including reading, videos, writing short essays and exercises; while classroom activities are devoted to discussion, interactive exercises and student-led question and answer. In other words, you are responsible for the aspects of learning relating to memorising and understanding fundamental concepts. In the classroom you get the opportunity to clarify, and apply the concepts in different settings. Assessment work encourages you to reflect upon and critique the same concepts in different settings.
One challenge with this approach is that you cannot coast passively through the course. If you do not do the preparatory work, you cannot participate effectively in class. If you cannot participate in class effectively, then you will not progress. We encourage you to approach the course in an active and enthusiastic way!
One other difference is that this course is examined continuously and that there is no final examination in January. However, this means that you will have weekly written or exercise assignment.
Self-led Activities
In this course, it is essential to complete the self-led activities before class. Ensure that you plan in at least three-hours every week of own work ideally a few days before the lecture to give time for the material to “sink in”. If you’re given a journal article to read, you may need even more time to get a good understanding of the content. If you’re doing a complex exercise and are a bit out of practice with Excel, again, you may need a bit more time.
Reading
You will be given preparatory readings before most lectures and labs to complete. Reading materials include peer-reviewed journal articles, and articles from popular science publications and the mainstream press. Take notes when reading, use tools such as concept diagrams to situate the concepts introduced in a broader context. You’ll be applying the concepts introduced in the readings in the classroom. In some cases you’ll be summarising the content of the reading for your peers.
Exercises
Some practical exercises are provided for you to practice calculating techno-economic indicators such as levelized cost of electricity and net-present value. Sometimes these are given in a Excel Workbook for you to complete. Sometimes a Jupyter notebook is provided.
Short Essays
You are asked to write reflective essays on the activities from the classroom or lab. These should be written by you, and describe your own opinions about went well and what did not go well. Use this opportunity to practice your writing skills. Do not use any AI authoring tools to write responses – these will not provide information on your beliefs or perspective – while ChatGPT has its place in a learning environment, in this case it will waste the teaching staff’s’ time providing feedback on the output of an algorithm!
All writing should be spell-checked. You are welcome to use a Grammar checker, such as Grammarly. If English is second (or third) language, you are encouraged to use Grammarly or a similar tool.
Classroom Activities
Class time during the course often involves discussion, working together in groups and presenting ideas and concepts to one another. As mentioned above, preparation is key. Ensure that you complete the readings or exercises before the class. Likewise, if after the reading you are stuck, prepare any questions you have so you can ask clearly.
Jigsaw
During the class, we make use of one active peer-learning method called Jigsaw. Prior to class you will be spit into groups or four to six and assigned a reading on your “expert” topic. In class you first meet in your expert group to discuss and summarise the expert topic. The aim is to reach a consensus on the key aspects of the topic. Next, you will join a “mixed” group where you will “teach” your subject to your peers.
Group Discussions
Discussion in small groups, in pairs, or groups of three to six, forms a common part of classroom activities. Please remember the following guidelines:
- Be respectful. We come from different cultures, different disciplines and use different languages.
- Remember we are all here to learn. We have different levels of knowledge of the subject being taught. If you’re already fluent in the concepts we’re learning, then practice communicating those concepts to others.
- Avoid confrontation. Direct confrontation is not appropriate for a supportive and safe learning environment. If you disagree with someone, feel free to state this, but do not engage in destructive behaviour.
In short, be nice, be active, enjoy yourself and support each other in your learning experience.
Computer Labs
We schedule four mandatory “computer labs” during the first half of the course. It is mandatory to attend these (0.5 hp) and attendance is collected during the lab. Normally two teaching staff will be present. The activities differ in nature.
Python & Jupyter Notebooks
In labs 1 and 3 you will be using Python and Jupyter Notebooks. No prior knowledge of Python is assumed, so don’t worry if you’ve never used Python before – an introduction to Python is given in the first self-led part of the lab. The material is available under an open license on Github, so you can explore and use the notebooks after the course.
Market Game
In Lab 2 we play an “energy market game” in groups in which you experience a simulation of electricity trading. It is worth preparing for the lab, particularly if you take on the role of “system operator”, by familiarising yourself with the Excel Workbook used to collate the bids. It is quite tight to finish the rounds of bidding and results within the time we have during lab so as to leave enough time for discussion and reflection.
Role Play
In lab 4 we explore multi-criteria analysis. Again, in groups each participants plays a role based on a case-study in the Balkans. Again, it is good to prepare for the lab by familiarising yourself with your “role” and thinking through the priorities and perspectives of that role. For example, a company may prioritise employment, profit, and a benign regulatory environment over biodiversity and diversity. You will need to argue for these types of issues and perspectives, during the lab so as to make your case and “win” the exercise…
Group Work and the Project
The group project is worth 3 hp plus 0.5 hp for the seminar, more than half of the whole course's credits, so the tasks play a significant role in determining the final grade received. Students are graded individually, based on the quality of the group work, the individual peer-review and the information included in individual reflections.
This project is an opportunity to work together with your peers to conduct a comprehensive analysis in which you can combine efforts and skills to create something bigger than you might be able to do alone. Students have some freedom to pursue the interests of the group as the problem provided is open-ended. However, this does mean that students need to work harder to define a research question and then answer that question.
In previous years, students have found this aspect of the course both challenging and rewarding. Here’s some advice paraphrased from the teaching staff and students from previous years:
- Start the project early. There is little time to waste and it is essential to get a rough idea together sooner rather than later.
- Use the allocated project time effectively. Some time is scheduled during the course for you to use for project work.
- Work out how to schedule your time as a group as soon as possible. Many courses have project work and it can be overwhelming to manage all the group meetings.
- Working in groups can be challenging. One of the main reasons for group work not working is unrealistic expectations of self or others. Establish early and discuss what you want to achieve in the group project and how much time you wish to put in. Note that many students made use of the material and country-specific knowledge they gained during the project for their Masters thesis.
While each project is led by the student groups, student work supported by the teaching staff through tutorials and the seminar.
Tutorials
These are “open door” sessions available for each group to meet the teaching staff for one-to-one direction on the project work. These can be handled remotely or in person. Groups can ask clarifying questions on scope or direction of the work, or ask for technical advice.
Peer Review
Each student will need to produce an individual peer review of another groups project report draft. The individual peer review is graded (not the draft report). The peer reviews provide invaluable feedback to each group report and is a way of sharing ideas across the groups. The peer review is entered using a Rubric provided on Canvas, and reviewers need to fill in the online form on Canvas. Reviewers can also comment directly upon the submitted draft report.
Seminar and Group Presentation
Around the same time as individual peer reviews, groups prepare a presentation on their group project, together with a summary of the peer review comments they’ve received and a plan for the final weeks of the report work. The seminar is held several weeks prior to the end of the term, which allows plenty of time for the groups to finish the project report and include the feedback from the peer-reviewers.
Detailed plan
Date |
Room |
Title |
Content |
Preparations |
23/09/05 10-12 |
M33 |
Lecture 1 |
Introduction to the course and (energy) economic concepts |
Read sections 2.1 to 2.3 of the book Fundamentals of Power System Economics by Kirschen et al. (pages 13 to 33) Complete the "Test Yourself" quiz
|
|
- |
KONA: Assignment 1 |
Reflective Essay |
- |
23/09/12 10-12 |
Glader, Prosit |
Lab 1 |
Compute LCOE. Answer quiz. |
Watch videos on LCOE and other concepts |
|
|
KONA: Assignment 2 |
Exercise with Excel Workbook and Jupyter Notebook |
Attend Lab 1. |
23/09/19 08-10 |
M33 |
Lecture 2 |
Jigsaw. Submit factsheet. |
Read one article/report based on assigned topic |
|
|
KONA: Assignment 3 |
Write a critical reflection of the article you read and presented during Lecture 2 |
|
23/09/26 10-12 |
Prosit, Trötter |
Lab 2 |
Play the electricity market game |
Read Chapter 3 on the structure of electricity markets from Kirschen 2018. Read the General Instructions and familiarised with the Excel Workbook. |
|
|
KONB: Assignment 4 |
Develop an extension to the energy market game |
|
23/10/03 10-12 |
V22 |
Lecture 3 |
Economic tools to plan national and global energy systems. |
Read (individually) the article allocated to your group about one specific methodology. Each group is assigned a different methodology and specific readings for it, shown below. The readings present reviews or discussions and often present opposing or differing views on the methodology. Based on the reading, prepare your own notes to bring to class, summarising key aspects of the methodology, namely: 1. What types of uses and questions is it good for, 2. What are its features, 3. What are its main strengths and weaknesses according to literature? Use the template to prepare a presentation on the key points to bring to class. |
23/10/05 08-10 |
Kloker, Toker |
Lab 3 |
Supply cost curves and marginal cost curves in OSeMOSYS |
Read the original OSeMOSYS paper |
|
- |
KONB: Assignment 5 |
Exercise & Reflection |
Lecture 3 and Lab 3 |
23/10/10 10-12 |
V32 |
Lecture 4 |
|
Read A review of MCDA methods https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.11.003 |
23/10/12 |
Kloker, Toker |
Lab 4 |
MCA Role Play Exercise using AHP |
read Chapter 1 on Models, Methods, Concepts & Applications of the Analytic Hierarchy Process from Thomas L. Saaty, Luis G. Vargas, 2012. Prepare you role for the lab role-play |
|
- |
KONB: Assignment 6 |
Exercise incorporating AHP, LCOE and DCF. |
Lecture1, Lab 1, Lecture 4 and Lab 4 |
23/10/31 10-12 |
L52 |
Project Kick-off |
Form groups, define question, begin work. |
|
23/11/02 08-12 |
- |
Project Work |
|
|
|
- |
PROJ: Plan |
Project Plan and Code of Conduct |
|
23/11/07 08-12 |
- |
Project Work |
|
|
23/11/09 08-10 |
Zoom |
Tutorial |
|
Book a timeslot (see Canvas instructions) |
23/11/16 08-12 |
- |
Project Work |
|
|
|
- |
PROJ |
Draft Report |
|
23/11/21 08-12 |
- |
Project Work |
|
|
23/11/21 15-17 |
Zoom |
Tutorial |
|
Book a timeslot (see Canvas instructions) |
23/11/23 08-12 |
L51 |
Seminar |
|
|
23/11/29 08-12 |
- |
Project Work |
|
|
23/12/06 08-12 |
- |
Project Work |
|
|
23/12/07 08-10 |
Zoom |
Tutorial |
|
Book a timeslot (see Canvas instructions) |
23/12/14 08-12 |
- |
Project Work |
|
|
|
|
PROJ |
Final Report |
|
|
|
PROJ |
Individual Reflection |
|
Preparations before course start
Literature
The primary textbook referenced in this course is Fundamentals of Power System Economics by Kirschen et al.
Students should not purchase the text book as it is available in digital form from the KTH library. Excerpts are provided via Canvas where it is set as reading material.
Software
Students will need Microsoft Excel to complete some of the assignments.
We use Python and Jupyter notebook in computer labs, but these are accessed via the browser and do not need to be installed.
Support for students with disabilities
Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:
Examination and completion
Grading scale
A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Examination
- KONA - Partial exam, 1.0 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- KONB - Partial exam, 1.0 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- LABA - Labb, 0.5 credits, Grading scale: P, F
- PROA - Project, 3.0 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- SEMA - Seminars, 0.5 credits, Grading scale: P, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
Grading criteria/assessment criteria
ILO |
|
P/E |
C |
A |
1 |
Explain key economic concepts and the costs of energy infrastructure investments |
Describe core energy economic concepts and use the terminology correctly |
Apply economic concepts to a problem, explaining the interactions between the core concepts, such as discount rate, lifetime, etc. |
Reflect critically on the shortcomings of the various economic concepts |
2 |
Evaluate a range of economic tools and apply them to examine energy investments and operation |
Use simple economic accounting methods to compare technologies |
Demonstrate knowledge of alternative economic tools and their advantages and disadvantages |
Discuss selection of appropriate tools based on context and required insights and apply the tools effectively. |
3 |
Describe the economic drivers of long-term energy transitions and critique how these are modelled |
Describe the key drivers of energy-environment-economic (3E) models
|
Apply knowledge of key model drivers to an energy planning problem |
Critically reflect upon the assumptions that underpin the drivers of 3E models and discuss their influence upon model results |
4 |
Develop and apply a techno-economic model to policies, technologies and other interventions using scenario analysis |
Build a model of a simple energy system, representing the key components (technologies and fuels) and explain the relationships between the them |
Create quantitative scenarios representing different policy options and implement these in the model by changing model parameters. Document the scenario assumptions, compare model results and explain the differences |
Critically reflect upon scenario results, relating the insights to a policy, economic and environmental context |
5 |
Interpret key outputs of techno-economic models, including system costs and shadow prices, in combination with off-model data, across social, economic and environmental dimensions |
Report the direct outputs of the model and relate them to the economic context |
Explain the economic interpretation of the model outputs |
Develop economic metrics by post-processing model outputs and discuss the implications in the economic context |
6 |
Accurately communicate concepts of energy economics using written, spoken and visual media |
Explain and justify the choice of indicators based on the modelling results
|
Explain and justify the choice of indicators across social, economic and/or environmental dimensions |
Discuss and critically reflect upon the choice of indicators, their interactions across social, economic and environmental dimensions, and their sensitivity to model assumptions |
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
No information inserted
Contacts
Round Facts
Start date
28 Aug 2023
Course offering
- Autumn 2023-50610
Language Of Instruction
English