LOG840 Sustainable Energy Systems Logistics (Spring 2027)

Nowadays, our planet needs to shift to a more renewable and sustainable energy matrix and, at the same time, ensure access to affordable and reliable energy for all. Defined by the 7th goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Additionally, global warming is pushing the energy industry to reduce its emissions, and urgent decarbonization strategies are needed.

The course first provides an outline of sustainable energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, wind, geothermal, solar, tidal, waves, and ocean thermal energy, citing examples of projects in Norway and in the rest of world. These technologies and project examples will be evaluated based on technological maturity, economic viability, and social and environmental impacts. Energy carriers such as hydrogen, ammonia, and synthetic fuels will be analyzed in the same way.

The course will also analyze energy supply chain decarbonization. Studying the carbon capture, the use of alternative fuels in logistics operations, and other emerging technologies. This analysis will be done based on technological risk / maturity, and economic, social and environmental impacts.

This course provides knowledge of real-world sustainable logistics assessment and planning problems. It aims to develop skills highly relevant to jobs in logistics departments across various companies involved in energy logistics value chains and to governmental energy planners.

Knowledge

• of historical development and trends in sustainable energy, goals related to emissions, and energy access.
• Upon completing the course, students will understand the developments and trends in hydro, nuclear, onshore wind, geothermal, solar, tidal, waves, and ocean thermal energy, including current advantages and disadvantages, examples of active projects, components and structures, key characteristics, logistical challenges, and the resources utilized for these energy sources.
• Additionally, students will be informed about projects, developments, and trends in clean energy carriers, their supply chains, and the associated logistical challenges and requirements.
• Students will be informed about projects, developments, and trends in energy supply chain decarbonization, and the challenges associated with them.

Skills

• After finishing the course, students will be able to:
• Evaluate the potential applications of hydro, nuclear, onshore wind, geothermal, solar, tidal, waves, and ocean thermal 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 sustainable 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.
• Evaluate the potential applications of decarbonization technologies in various contexts

General competencies

• Demonstrate a critical and interdisciplinary approach to studying sustainable energy sources and their societal and environmental impacts.
• Exhibit a critical and interdisciplinary perspective on energy carriers and their societal and environmental consequences.
• Communicate effectively and persuasively about sustainable energy sources, covering the political, economic, and technical dimensions of energy systems and their logistical challenges.
• Understand supply chain planning for energy carriers.
• Understand and communicate effectively about the decarbonization technologies and the challenges involved in them.

Three written assignments (case analysis), done in groups, and one individual oral exam based on the submitted assignments. Each assignment has weight 20%, and the oral exam 40%.

Grading scale: letter (A-F).