The module provides an introduction to the key elements that shape which energy technologies are deployed, and how policy, economic and social factors can shape innovation and deployment of new energy technologies. The module introduces and explains basic elements such as how legislation is developed and used as a tool to shape policy, and then moves from there to explain UK and other renewable energy policy, the barriers to growth and the successes and failures of different policy instruments. Students should finish the module with both an understanding of what shapes policy the shape of current UK renewable energy policy.

There are no pre-requisites for this module and it is available to all students.

1) To provide candidates with the opportunity to develop sound understanding of basic economic principles and knowledge of how these apply in the energy sector;

2) To provide candidates with an understanding of the basic structure of the market for electricity delivery and an introduction to regulation pertinent to its operation;

3) To enable an understanding of the social, economic and other diverse barriers to deployment of renewable energy sources and the policy instruments that have been employed to overcome them;

4) To introduce candidates to other elements of sustainable energy practice and the policy relating to it, for example, energy efficiency, demand side management and smart grids.

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: 
 
To gain: 
 
1. An understanding of market forces affecting the energy sector and be able to put these into a renewable energy context; 
 
2. Understanding of the way that macro-economic and environmental issues affect the thinking of government worldwide and how this is converted into policy; 
 
3. An appreciation of the role that renewable energy and energy efficiency can have in national, regional and local economies, recognising the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the different technologies in the energy system; 
 
4. An understanding of the basis, origins and goals of energy policy and specifically of renewable energy policy; 
 
5. To comprehend and be able to explain the main issues within renewable energy policy in the UK and beyond; 
 
6. A basic understanding of the English legal system as it applies to the development of legislation, with a particular emphasis on energy; 
 
7. A basic understanding of the different pressures on energy supply, particularly on the conflicts between security of supply, environmental impact and attendant costs of applied energy policy.; 
 
8. An improved understanding of some of the need for systemic change in the energy system, the drivers for change, and the current and potential future changes to electricity and other energy supply. 
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: 
 
9. Develop an increased ability to communicate effectively in a manner appropriate to the discipline, specifically considering written submission of academic work. 
 
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge: 
 
10. An enhanced ability to develop research strategies, to select appropriate data from a range of sources, to assimilate information, to plan and prepare written essay/reports; 
 
11. Improved skills relating to producing documents to a professional standard.

Reading list for this module: