Competence Module in Sustainable Energy System and Society, 20–55 cr

The study module provides a multidisciplinary and multilevel overview of the energy system and the changes that take place in it in a societal context where the international and national operating environment is changing rapidly. The energy system is viewed from a technical, economic and political perspective, structuring changes in the energy system extending from the global macro level to the consumer-citizens.

The role of electrical energy is growing globally as societies are developing, the emissions are reduced and the energy efficiency is improved. The smart energy system in the future is an enabler of an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly energy market and a way to make full use of renewable energy. At the same time, the energy system is a critical infrastructure from the perspective of society as a whole, and its role in the current knowledge-intensive operating environment is pivotal.

The study module consists of a compulsory introductory course and 11 optional courses focusing on smart grids and renewable energy, electricity markets, energy technology and economics, the built surroundings, environmental governance, sustainable development, energy security, international and Finnish energy policies and consumer-citizens as participants in the electricity markets.

At least 10 ECTS credits of the study module must be completed in a faculty other than the student's own faculty.

After completing this multidisciplinary study module, the student is able to structure the energy system as a whole, which consists of energy production, storage, transmission, distribution and consumption. The student identifies the interdependencies between these components and the technical and economic boundary conditions that affect them. The student is also able to outline how energy solutions are formed under the cross-pressure of public, collective and market-based control and guidance. Completion of the study module develops the student's working life skills: they are able to address energy issues from broad perspectives of social sciences and engineering.

The aim of the study module is to create a broad understanding of the energy system as a whole and the societal and technological perspectives linking it in order to supplement the student's knowledge acquired in their major field of study.