SPG8025 : Subsurface Energy Systems: Exploration, Evaluation and Sustainable Management
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Cees van der Land
- Lecturer: Dr Sanem Acikalin Cartigny, Dr Catherine Gandy, Dr Mark Ireland
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aim of this module is to enable students studying Renewable Energy, Enterprise and Management to understand the role of the subsurface in the energy system. To understand how the post-industrial revolution energy supply has been met largely by the exploitation of fossil fuel energy from the Earth (coal, oil, gas). To explore the potential of renewable energy sources derived from the Earth's subsurface. To understand and evaluate energy storage methods in the subsurface for sustainable energy utilization. To examine the principles and applications of carbon capture in the subsurface for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Outline Of Syllabus
Key geological concepts:
Geological time
The origin of the Earth, Earth structure and plate tectonics
Distribution of geological resources
Sedimentary basin evolution
Formation of coal, oil and gas.
Principle methods of exploration and exploitation
Lessons learned for future resource exploitation
Impact of Fossil Fuels on Global Emissions:
Fundamentals of climate change
Greenhouse gases and greenhouse effect
Future consumption scenarios – controls, options and consequences
Example IPCC emissions scenarios
Deep and shallow geothermal energy:
Geothermal electricity production
Geothermal heating (direct use)
Ground source heat pumps
Nuclear energy:
Nuclear fission
Nuclear fusion
Fundamentals of geological disposal of nuclear waste
The role of the subsurface in future energy systems:
Energy storage and hydrogen storage
Carbon Capture and Storage
Critical minerals to achieve net-zero
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Preparing group report |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Guided learning of online content. |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Group researching a topic on subsurface energy systems |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | In-class group work on formative and summative assessments |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Just prior to the course students will have access to a summary of the topics which this module covers, directions to reading on each topic, copies of lecture notes that will be presented in the module and a specification for the assessed research and presentation exercise. Students can then familiarize themselves with the module curriculum through reading and reflection on these materials. Lectures will be delivered during the formal teaching period which will reinforce students’ independent learning and allow opportunities for areas of uncertainty to be clarified in follow up tutorials.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 100 | Group report. Prepare a (mock) grant funding application for a pilot or demonstrator low carbon energy based on one of the topics covered in the module. Alongside the group submission each student will submit a reflective statement (approx. 4000 words). |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research proposal | 1 | M | At the end of the lecture and workshop series each team will share the title of their proposed application topic to discuss with academics and peers. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessments allow students to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills in format that is applicable in their potential future career paths. The reflective component is added to ensure teams work efficiently.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SPG8025's Timetable