Energy Policy, Markets and Law - 2019 entry

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 introduced 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 you with the opportunity to develop sound understanding of micro and macro-economic principles and knowledge of how these apply in the electricity and fuel sectors.

2) To provide an introduction to the legal principles and instruments guiding project developments and their effects on the environment.

3) To provide you with an understanding of the basic structure of the market for electricity delivery and an introduction to regulation pertinent to its operation.

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

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

Day1

1) Introduction to Energy Policy and Markets
2) World and UK Energy Use: Past, Present and Future
3) Introduction to Sustainable Development
4) Introduction to some Basic Economic Principles
5) Introduction to the UK Legislative System
6) The Supply of Electricity: Delivery and Market Structure

Day 2

7) Renewable Energy: Why and why not? – Barriers to Renewable Energy
8) Stimulation of Renewable Energy Technology
9) Tariff Mechanisms

Day 3

10) Quota Mechanisms
11) The UK Renewables Obligation: The Aims and Success of Policy

Day 4

12) Contracts for Difference
13) A Comparison of Quota and Tariff Mechanisms
14) Renewable Energy Mechanisms: Some Key Points

Day 5

15) The Basis of Policy: Where does policy come from? Which factors and stakeholders influence policy creation? 16) Policy Application: how might lessons of renewable electricity policy impact on renewable heat policy? The module is taught over the course of a week, typically covering one of these topics in each session. Some however are shorter and these are covered consecutively in the same session.
 

1 piece of coursework 50% and examination 50%

Basic reading:

A purpose written glossary of relevant terms is provided to students

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Students are provided with a list of recommended reading for each lecture along with websites and data to find academic papers.

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module: