MITIGATING CLIMATE
CHANGE
Röding, Josefine
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON [Company address]
,Contents
Module.............................................................................................................................................. 1
Module aims ........................................................................................................................... 2
Module objectives ................................................................................................................. 3
Learning outcomes............................................................................................................... 4
Lecture 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 5
What is mitigation? Mitigation budgets, costs, ethics. What is the energy system? ........................... 5
What is climate change mitigation? .............................................................................................. 5
How do we justify climate change mitigation ................................................................................ 5
Climate change mitigation is justified if the benefits outweigh the costs .................................. 5
Equitable mitigation? ................................................................................................................ 8
Breakdown of Greenhouse Gas emissions ..................................................................................... 9
Drivers of emissions ................................................................................................................ 10
High level introduction to the options for mitigating CO2 ........................................................11
Overview of the energy system ............................................................................................... 12
Lecture 2: supply side (Part I) .......................................................................................................... 12
Key mitigation technologies in supply sector ...........................................................................13
Key mitigation technologies in Demand sector ....................................................................... 29
Lecture 2: suppy side (Part II) .......................................................................................................... 29
Lecture 3: supply side (Part III) ........................................................................................................ 44
Lecture 4: Case study seminars (Arup, Imperial College Estates) .................................................... 58
Lecture 5: Demand side (Part I) ....................................................................................................... 58
Lecture 6: Demand side (Part II) ...................................................................................................... 63
Lecture 7: Decarbonisation pathways ............................................................................................. 87
Review ............................................................................................................................................ 90
Module
Three different motivations for energy discussions. 1. Fossil fuels are a finite resource, and cheap
fuels might run out in our lifetime, therefore we look for alternative resources. Secondly, we are
concerned about security of energy supply. It seems like fossil fuels have peaked, and we therefore
do not want to rely too much upon them. Closing power stations from nuclear and coal are
examples of this. Third, there is a linkage to climate change and fossil fuel usage. Because so much
of our emission stems from energy, climate change problem is mostly an energy problem. We can
balance the energy budget either by reducing demand or by increasing supply or of course doing
both. Demand for power can be reduced in three ways: 1. Reducing population 2. Changing lifestyle
,3. Reducing energy intensity by efficiency and technologies. Supply can be increased in three ways:
1. Clean coal technologies. 2. Nuclear 3. Renewables bought, begged or stolen from other countries
*(UK standpoint).
Basic pre knowledge
Energy balance sheet: we consume energy through transport, heating and cooling, lightning,
information systems, food and manufacturing. Sustainable production methods include wind, solar
(photovoltaics, thermal, biomass), hydroelectric, tide, wave, geothermal and maybe nuclear.
Energy is often discussed in terms of KWh, while power (rate at which we use/produce energy, or
power is the consumption and production of energy) usually is Kwh/d or just kW. (40W is 1 kWh, 1
KW= 1000 W = 24 kWh/d )
Volume = flow x time
Efficiency calculations
Energy in (Qin) into a power plant create energy out (Qout)
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 =
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡
𝑊
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 (𝜂𝑝 ) =
𝑄𝑖𝑛
𝜂𝑝 = 𝜂𝑏 × 𝜂𝑡 × 𝜂𝑔 × 𝜂𝑡ℎ
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑄𝑖𝑛 = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 (𝑀𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 ) × 𝐿𝐻𝑉𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙
Module aims
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the topic of climate change
mitigation.
Students will come away with an awareness of the high-level challenges of mitigation
and level of action required to limit global temperature change. The module will cover
the key technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in both the supply and
demand sectors. The basics of energy systems modelling and decarbonisation
pathways will also be introduced. A key element of this course will also be the practical
aspects of implementing mitigation technologies and actions. In conjunction with
the more theoretical lectures, students will also hear from organisations about the
challenges of making a change in the real world. Students will be expected to apply what
, they have learnt in this module in a project where they will have to make a business
case for a new mitigation project in a company. The module will provide the knowledge
and tools to become agents for change at a global, national and local scale.
Module objectives
Knowledge Objectives
This is an introductory module. Students are expected to develop a basic knowledge of:
• What mitigation is, the justifications for mitigation action and the challenges of
mitigation
o Justification
o Challenges
▪ The window for 2 degrees Celsius is closing as we rapidly use up the
remaining cumulative carbon budget. Approximate remaining budget =
1000 GtCO2
▪ This is primarily an energy problem à the majority of emissions come from
burning fossil fuels for energy
▪ GDP and population growth are the main drivers of CO2 emissions
▪ There is no single technology which can solve all our problems – we need
action in all sectors through a wide range of technologies
• The contribution of different sectors (both supply- and demand-side) to GHG
emissions
• An overview of energy system as a whole, the main components and how they
interact
• The key mitigation technologies in both the supply and demand sectors
• Energy systems modelling approaches and their role in informing global and regional
mitigation action
• The main barriers and drivers of mitigation technologies
• The main policy tools for incentivising investments in mitigation technologies
Skills Objectives
The module will facilitate the student development of:
• Communication skills in relation to articulating the challenges of mitigation and long-
term decarbonisation pathways
• Communication and influencing skills in relation to presenting a convincing business
case for implementing energy efficiency technologies
• Financial and economic costing skills in relation to calculating the cost of mitigation
technologies
CHANGE
Röding, Josefine
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON [Company address]
,Contents
Module.............................................................................................................................................. 1
Module aims ........................................................................................................................... 2
Module objectives ................................................................................................................. 3
Learning outcomes............................................................................................................... 4
Lecture 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 5
What is mitigation? Mitigation budgets, costs, ethics. What is the energy system? ........................... 5
What is climate change mitigation? .............................................................................................. 5
How do we justify climate change mitigation ................................................................................ 5
Climate change mitigation is justified if the benefits outweigh the costs .................................. 5
Equitable mitigation? ................................................................................................................ 8
Breakdown of Greenhouse Gas emissions ..................................................................................... 9
Drivers of emissions ................................................................................................................ 10
High level introduction to the options for mitigating CO2 ........................................................11
Overview of the energy system ............................................................................................... 12
Lecture 2: supply side (Part I) .......................................................................................................... 12
Key mitigation technologies in supply sector ...........................................................................13
Key mitigation technologies in Demand sector ....................................................................... 29
Lecture 2: suppy side (Part II) .......................................................................................................... 29
Lecture 3: supply side (Part III) ........................................................................................................ 44
Lecture 4: Case study seminars (Arup, Imperial College Estates) .................................................... 58
Lecture 5: Demand side (Part I) ....................................................................................................... 58
Lecture 6: Demand side (Part II) ...................................................................................................... 63
Lecture 7: Decarbonisation pathways ............................................................................................. 87
Review ............................................................................................................................................ 90
Module
Three different motivations for energy discussions. 1. Fossil fuels are a finite resource, and cheap
fuels might run out in our lifetime, therefore we look for alternative resources. Secondly, we are
concerned about security of energy supply. It seems like fossil fuels have peaked, and we therefore
do not want to rely too much upon them. Closing power stations from nuclear and coal are
examples of this. Third, there is a linkage to climate change and fossil fuel usage. Because so much
of our emission stems from energy, climate change problem is mostly an energy problem. We can
balance the energy budget either by reducing demand or by increasing supply or of course doing
both. Demand for power can be reduced in three ways: 1. Reducing population 2. Changing lifestyle
,3. Reducing energy intensity by efficiency and technologies. Supply can be increased in three ways:
1. Clean coal technologies. 2. Nuclear 3. Renewables bought, begged or stolen from other countries
*(UK standpoint).
Basic pre knowledge
Energy balance sheet: we consume energy through transport, heating and cooling, lightning,
information systems, food and manufacturing. Sustainable production methods include wind, solar
(photovoltaics, thermal, biomass), hydroelectric, tide, wave, geothermal and maybe nuclear.
Energy is often discussed in terms of KWh, while power (rate at which we use/produce energy, or
power is the consumption and production of energy) usually is Kwh/d or just kW. (40W is 1 kWh, 1
KW= 1000 W = 24 kWh/d )
Volume = flow x time
Efficiency calculations
Energy in (Qin) into a power plant create energy out (Qout)
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 =
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡
𝑊
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 (𝜂𝑝 ) =
𝑄𝑖𝑛
𝜂𝑝 = 𝜂𝑏 × 𝜂𝑡 × 𝜂𝑔 × 𝜂𝑡ℎ
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑄𝑖𝑛 = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 (𝑀𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 ) × 𝐿𝐻𝑉𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙
Module aims
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the topic of climate change
mitigation.
Students will come away with an awareness of the high-level challenges of mitigation
and level of action required to limit global temperature change. The module will cover
the key technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in both the supply and
demand sectors. The basics of energy systems modelling and decarbonisation
pathways will also be introduced. A key element of this course will also be the practical
aspects of implementing mitigation technologies and actions. In conjunction with
the more theoretical lectures, students will also hear from organisations about the
challenges of making a change in the real world. Students will be expected to apply what
, they have learnt in this module in a project where they will have to make a business
case for a new mitigation project in a company. The module will provide the knowledge
and tools to become agents for change at a global, national and local scale.
Module objectives
Knowledge Objectives
This is an introductory module. Students are expected to develop a basic knowledge of:
• What mitigation is, the justifications for mitigation action and the challenges of
mitigation
o Justification
o Challenges
▪ The window for 2 degrees Celsius is closing as we rapidly use up the
remaining cumulative carbon budget. Approximate remaining budget =
1000 GtCO2
▪ This is primarily an energy problem à the majority of emissions come from
burning fossil fuels for energy
▪ GDP and population growth are the main drivers of CO2 emissions
▪ There is no single technology which can solve all our problems – we need
action in all sectors through a wide range of technologies
• The contribution of different sectors (both supply- and demand-side) to GHG
emissions
• An overview of energy system as a whole, the main components and how they
interact
• The key mitigation technologies in both the supply and demand sectors
• Energy systems modelling approaches and their role in informing global and regional
mitigation action
• The main barriers and drivers of mitigation technologies
• The main policy tools for incentivising investments in mitigation technologies
Skills Objectives
The module will facilitate the student development of:
• Communication skills in relation to articulating the challenges of mitigation and long-
term decarbonisation pathways
• Communication and influencing skills in relation to presenting a convincing business
case for implementing energy efficiency technologies
• Financial and economic costing skills in relation to calculating the cost of mitigation
technologies
