RESE421 (2024) - Energy Economic Analyses

Prescription

This course introduces principles of economics, and how they relate to energy systems, specifically reflecting on the energy-economic nexus. It explores practical techniques to analyse the micro- and macro-economic implications of transitions in the energy system, along with relevant business and financial analysis techniques. It applies the principles and techniques to analyse a real-world topic to inform decision- or policy-making with appropriate conclusions and recommendations.

Course learning objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Explain the economic principles of the energy-economic nexus.
2. Analyse the macro-economic implications of renewable energy systems.
3. Analyse the micro-economic implications of renewable energy systems.
4. Analyse the finances and business case of renewable energy projects.

Course content

We’ve designed this course for in-person study, and to get the most of out it we strongly recommend you attend lectures on campus. Most assessment items, as well as tutorials/seminars/labs/workshops will only be available in person. Any exceptions for in-person attendance for assessment will be looked at on a case-by-case basis in exceptional circumstances, e.g., through disability services or by approval by the course coordinator.
 
If you started your programme of study remotely and can only study remotely, please contact the School so we can help and confirm what courses are available.

Withdrawal from Course

Withdrawal dates and process:
https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/study/course-additions-withdrawals

Lecturers

Teaching Format

Weekly lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, and individual assignments. Project work will entail the economic analyses of renewable energy systems.

Dates (trimester, teaching & break dates)

• Teaching: 26 February 2024 - 31 May 2024
• Break: 01 April 2024 - 14 April 2024
• Study period: 03 June 2024 - 06 June 2024
• Exam period: 07 June 2024 - 22 June 2024

Other Classes

Additional resources, to support lectures, will be provided on Nuku. There are weekly tutorials with associated discussions at 10h00 on Thursdays in AM407.

Set Texts and Recommended Readings

Required

Compulsory reading material is provided via Nuku.

Mandatory Course Requirements

In addition to achieving an overall pass mark of at least 50%, students must:

• Achieve 40% for the third assignment.

If you believe that exceptional circumstances may prevent you from meeting the mandatory course requirements, contact the Course Coordinator for advice as soon as possible.

Assessment

The assessment comprises of three modelling projects/assignments, which will be discussed on commencement of the course.

Assessment Item	Due Date or Test Date	CLO(s)	Percentage
Macro-economic modelling project, with a report (2000 words)		CLO: 1,2	30%
Micro-economic modelling project, with a report (2000 words)		CLO: 1,3	30%
Finances modelling project, with a report (2000 words)		CLO: 4	40%

Penalties

Work submitted late will be subject to a penalty of 10% of the total mark per day.

Extensions

Individual extensions will only be granted in exceptional personal circumstances, and should be negotiated with the course coordinator before the deadline whenever possible. Documentation (eg, medical certificate) may be requested.

Submission & Return

All work must be submitted through the Nuku submission system. Marks and comments will also be returned through the Nuku marking system.

Workload

Although the workload varies from week to week, students should expect to spend approximately 10 hours per week on the course, to give a total of 150 hours study time. A plausible and approximate breakdown for these hours would be: lectures (2 hours); tutorials (2 hours); reading, review and online discussions (3 hours); and modelling and written assignments (3 hours).

Teaching Plan

A detailed teaching plan is provided on commencement of the course via Nuku.

Communication of Additional Information

All online material for this course will be made available via Nuku, which will also be used to facilitate discussions every week.

Links to General Course Information

• Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/study/exams/academic-integrity
• Academic Progress: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/study/progress/academic-progess (including restrictions and non-engagement)
• Dates and deadlines: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/study/dates
• Grades: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/study/progress/grades
• Special passes: Refer to the Assessment Handbook, at https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/documents/policy/staff-policy/assessment-handbook.pdf
• Statutes and policies, e.g. Student Conduct Statute: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/about/governance/strategy
• Student support: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/support
• Students with disabilities: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/st_services/disability/
• Student Charter: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/learning-teaching/learning-partnerships/student-charter
• Student Feedback on University courses may be found at: http://www.cad.vuw.ac.nz/feedback/feedback_display.php
• Terms and Conditions: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/study/apply-enrol/terms-conditions/student-contract
• Turnitin: http://www.cad.vuw.ac.nz/wiki/index.php/Turnitin
• University structure: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/about/governance/structure
• The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy:
  Victoria University values te reo Māori. Students who wish to submit any of their assessments in te reo Māori must refer to The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy
  He mea nui te reo Māori ki te Whare Wānanga o te Ūpoko o te Ika. Ki te pīrangi koe ki te tuhituhi i ō aro matawai i roto i te reo Māori, tēnā me mātua whakapā atu ki te kaupapa here, The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy
• VUWSA: http://www.vuwsa.org.nz

Offering CRN: 35093

Points: 15
Corequisites: (one of RESE 423, 431, 412)
Restrictions: RESE 311
Duration: 26 February 2024 - 23 June 2024
Starts: Trimester 1
Campus: Kelburn