LOG777 Business Cases in Energy Logistics (Spring 2023)

About the course

The course consists of three cases presented by companies, public organizations, or research institutions working in close collaborations with the former two. The cases will focus managing various operations in both energy sector and other businesses concerned with the efficiency of energy use, environmental impact, and various energy-related logistical challenges. Some examples of the topics that the cases may cover are the use of renewables in various sectors; integrated energy networks for a particular geographical, business, and social contexts; design of facilities and infrastructures related to energy production; energy transmission infrastructure and its analysis from the social economy perspective; energy-efficiency and environmental impact of supply chain operations; analysis of businesses of various nature with respect to their energy use, and so on.

For each case, the students are to prepare a written report analyzing, discussing and proposing a solution to the logistical problems presented to them. 

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Logistics
• Exchange programme - Master's level

Required prerequisite knowledge

• LOG775 Energy Analytics and Sustainable Technologies

• LOG745 Industrial Organization and Competition Policy

• LOG708 Applied statistics

- or equivalents to these courses.

The course is available for master students in Sustainable Energy Logistics only.

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

This course is primarily skill-oriented, and therefore, the delivery of new theories and concepts will be quite limited. Instead, the focus of the course is on development of skills of applying the knowledge of theories and methods studied in the first semester and the ongoing semester of the MSc in Sustainable Energy Logistics to solve practical challenges presented by the industry.

Knowledge

Upon completing this course, the candidate:

• will have in-depth knowledge of logistical problems and complexity of real-life logistical challenges that faced by the invited companies with respect to the energy-related problems.

Skills 

Upon completing this course, the candidate:

• will be able to apply the knowledge of the theory on energy value chains, technology, logistics, sustainability, and modern-day research trends and methods to solve real-life problems in energy logistics

• will be able to identify the specifics of the business processes and activities presented in the form of a company case

• will be able to identify and solve the logistical challenges the companies are facing 

• will be able to come up with comprehensive and meaningful suggestions on resolving these practical challenges presented in the form of company cases

• will be able to critically analyze the scientific literature relevant to the presented problems, figure out how well-discussed the problems at hand are, and which methodologies the existing literature suggests in order to address certain aspects of the real-life company cases

• will be able to communicate the solution proposal and the results in a form of a report which follows the rules of academic writing.

General competence:

• can apply the knowledge and skills to identify, analyze, and solve industrial challenges with respect to the area of energy production and use

• can communicate the results of the conducted analysis and conclusions both to the specialists and general public

• can contribute to critical thinking regarding the discourse on modern-day solutions and approaches to sustainability, logistics and energy efficiency, as well as the environment.

Forms of teaching and learning

The presentation of each case is arranged as a one-day seminar. One week after this seminar, the students attend a question-and-answer (Q&A) session for the presented case, where they may discuss the case with the teacher or the company representative. The purpose of these Q&A sessions is to clarify certain details of the problem context presented by the company, as well as discuss the application of relevant theoretical frameworks to complex practical problems of both energy sector and energy use in supply chains with the course instructor. The attendance of all these activities is mandatory.

Within approximately one month from the case presentation, the candidates are to submit the report proposing a solution to the problem presented to them.

The students may be asked to work individually on some cases, while for other cases group work of up to two students may be allowed (The group work will require more detailed and comprehensive solutions to be developed compared to individual submissions). 

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

• Presence: Attendance of the company presentations and the Q&A sessions is mandatory.

• Comment: All students are expected to sign a confidentiality agreement in the start of the semester, within a given deadline. If a candidate fails to submit the signed confidentiality agreement within the specified deadline, that candidate will no longer be a course participant.

Examination

• Vurderingsform: Portfolio assessment

• Andel: 100%

• Varighet: 1 semester

• Gruppering: Individuell / Gruppe

• Comment: The portfolio consists of different cases that the students are going to solve. In the beginning of the semester the course instructor will decide if the cases can be solved in groups. If they can, the student’s can decide if the want to solve the cases individually or in groups. On different cases, the students can form different groups. At the end of the semester each portfolio is assessed individually.

• Karakterskala: Bokstavkarakter (A - F)

• Hjelpemidler: Alle trykte og skrevne hjelpemiddel

• Comment: The portofolio assessment consists of four parts, which all must be submitted within given deadlines. Feedback will be provided by the course instructor on each part of the portfolio. All fours parts must be submitted in order to receive a final grade.