Are fossil fuels running out? Can nuclear power, carbon capture or renewable energy solve global warming? How can we provide clean, safe, sustainable energy supplies despite increasing population levels and affluence? In this module, you’ll examine the principles underlying the design and efficient use of energy and energy supply systems and learn to use the appropriate scientific and mathematical techniques and apply them to energy-related issues.
What you will study
Each of us is inextricably linked to energy use, and we have different perspectives on sustainability. Whatever your energy background and perspectives, this module explores the issues related to energy and sustainability.
Energy Systems and Sustainability – Power for a Sustainable Future is the core teaching text for this module. You are guided through this book by weekly, online study guides, which include online mathematical and other activities to test your energy-related skills and understanding. There are also informative videos which explain all you need to know about energy.
The online study guides and book cover the following topics:
Primary energy – where you’ll explore the presentation and interpretation of data and gain an overview of the world’s primary energy situation, its recent history and its problems.
What do we use energy for? A tour of all the different ways of using energy and how these have changed over the centuries.
Different forms of energy – you’ll investigate some basic ideas around this subject.
Coal – a concise ‘biography’ of this critical fuel in the past and the future.
Heat to motive power – a detailed look at this most important energy conversion process that underlies much of the energy services we enjoy, from transport to electricity
Oil and gas – a look at these close cousins from their formation to the prospect of their ultimate depletion
Oil and gas engines – a review of three types of internal combustion engine designs that have influenced the twentieth century.
Transport and sustainability – an overview of this fast-changing topic from a technological and behavioural perspective.
Electricity – exploring this most critical ‘secondary fuel’ – its history and future as part of a sustainable energy system.
Energy in buildings – an introduction to this topic focusing on improving insulation standards and heating efficiency in the housing stock.
Nuclear power – a review of the present situation, background science and the types of reactor designs currently in use.
The future of nuclear power – an exploration of various issues concerning its immediate and long-term future.
Renewable energy – an overview of key renewable energy technologies.
Costing energy – learn basic techniques, including discounted cash flow.
Penalties – a detailed look at the various techniques for assessing the impacts of energy use – from local air pollution to climate change.
Remedies for a sustainable energy system – a critical look at how to make fossil fuel use more sustainable.
You will also have access to an electronic version of the companion volume, Renewable Energy, and other study materials from our website.
Entry requirements
You need a scientific and mathematical background obtained through OU level 1 study or equivalent.
We recommend one of the following:
Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)
Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)
Questions in science (S111)
Science: concepts and practice (S112)
Our Maths For Energy site has more resources to help you decide if you’re ready.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA)
Examination
We regularly review the assessments in our modules, so we may update the examination method used for this module to an in-person exam or an online invigilated exam. When we are making such a change, we will make it clear on this page. If we need to make a change after you have registered, we will notify you as soon as possible. If you have additional requirements, we will support you to complete your assessments.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
course-specific module materials
audio and video content
assessment details and submission section
online tutorial access
access to student forums.
We also provide physical:
textbook, Everett, B., Peake, S. and Warren, J. (2021) Energy Systems and Sustainability, Power for a Sustainable Future (3rd edn).
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying T213 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Energy and sustainability (T213) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2029.