LOG904-193 Planning of Renewable Energy Value Chain (Autumn 2026)

This seminar provides an overview of emerging renewable energy sources and the value chains of energy carriers. It covers various types of energy sources, including ocean energy (such as wave energy, tidal energy, ocean thermal energy conversion, and ocean currents) and floating solar energy. It also focuses on clean energy carriers like hydrogen, ammonia, and synthetic fuels.

The course begins by discussing the historical context and the necessity for decarbonization, along with clear definitions of renewable energy, low-emission energy sources, and energy carriers.

Participants will examine emerging renewable energy supply chains, highlighting typical offshore upstream logistics activities and the associated logistical resources, with examples from active projects. The seminar will address the logistical, economic, and technological challenges associated with these energy sources, discussing the main logistics problems at strategic, tactical, and operational levels.

Additionally, the seminar will analyze energy carriers such as hydrogen, ammonia, and synthetic fuels as key drivers for decarbonization and the utilization of offshore renewable energy. The challenges related to logistics, economics, and technology for these carriers will be thoroughly explored. There will also be discussions on the downstream applications including the connection to end users in electricity generation, transportation, and thermal energy use.

A detailed case study on hydrogen network design and planning will be presented, focusing on the integration of green hydrogen into the industrial and energy sectors. The study aims to demonstrate how green hydrogen can contribute to cost reduction and support industrial decarbonization efforts. The case explores the design of a Green Hydrogen Supply Chain (GHSC) superstructure, which incorporates multiple alternatives for feedstock sources, production methods, storage solutions, and transportation technologies. The analysis requires a comprehensive understanding of the system network, including the trade-offs between technological options and the constraints related to resource availability. The proposed GHSC framework is illustrated through its application in the context of a European Union country, providing practical insights into the planning and optimization of sustainable hydrogen infrastructures.

Knowledge:

Upon completing the course, students will understand the developments and trends in ocean and floating solar energy, including current advantages and disadvantages, examples of active projects, components and structures, key characteristics, logistical challenges, and the resources utilized for ocean and floating solar energy.

Additionally, students will be informed about projects, developments, and trends in clean energy carriers, their supply chains, and the associated logistical challenges and requirements.

Skills:

After finishing the course, students will be able to:

- Evaluate the potential applications of ocean and floating solar energy in various contexts.

- Assess the role of energy carriers by considering their advantages and disadvantages related to costs, emissions, safety, and logistics.

- Apply knowledge of ocean energy systems and carriers to real-world cases and conduct critical reviews.

- Identify types of logistics planning problems related to energy systems.

- Interpret models that can be utilized to plan the supply chain of energy carriers.

General competence:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

- Demonstrate a critical and interdisciplinary approach to studying ocean energy and its societal and environmental impacts.

- Exhibit a critical and interdisciplinary perspective on energy carriers and their societal and environmental consequences.

- Communicate effectively and persuasively about emerging energy sources, covering the political, economic, and technical dimensions of energy systems and their logistical challenges.

- Understand supply chain planning for energy carriers.

Lecturing in the mornings from Monday to Wednesday and afternoons on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Form of assessment: Home exam without presentation
• Proportion: 100 %
• Duration: 3.5 days (published on Tuesday 15:00, submission deadline Friday 23:59)
• Grouping: Individual
• Grading scale: Letter (A - F)
• Support material: Recommended course literature (books, peer-reviewed articles and internet sources)