Foundations of Energy Production

The course aims to provide an overview of energy problems with regard to the availability and potential of primary energy sources divided into fossil fuels, renewable sources and nuclear energy. The energy needs relating to the last decades and the prospect of short- and medium-term increases are then analyzed. The global energy system is then analyzed both for environmental and economic aspects.
In the last part of the course the Italian energy situation is analyzed, highlighting its specificity.

The student will be able to:
read and understand scientific articles and books that deepen the covered topics;
to deal critically with problems relating to the production and use of energy in various forms, with the related environmental impacts;
dimension a source to satisfy a specific energy demand also evaluating its emissions;
deepen a specific energy topic and communicate the results: for this purpose, the presentation and discussion of a paper on a topic chosen by the student is required in the examination phase.