Sustainable Development and Environmental Management

Energy Management

Theoretical: theoretical exposition of various matters; Case-studies presentation.
Practical: Problem solving; Case-studies analysis
Students have weekly voluntary support through instructor’s office hours (6 hours availability, overall).

Learning objectives:
To provide deeper knowledge of sustainable development;
To understand the relationship between energy systems and sustainable development;
To learn of sustainable energy options;
To learn about technologies and systems for improving energy efficiency;
To understand the basic concepts of Environmental Management Systems (EMS);
To learn how to implement an EMS;
To understand the basic concepts of EMS auditing.
Generic learning outcomes and competences – At the end of this course unit the learner is expected to be able:
Have significant capacity to conceptualize energy activities and their link to development issues;
Promote energy efficiency and renewable energy sources;
Design and understand an EMS;
Develop the interpersonal skills and experience necessary for effective teamwork;
Apply safety concepts and develop the professional responsibility for the quality of engineering work performed.

Part I – Sustainable Development. The concept of sustainability and sustainable development. Principles of Sustainable Development: economic development, social development and environmental protection. International activities. The local context. Local Agenda 21. The use of indicators. Energy and Sustainable Development Principles of sustainable energy. Energy Efficiency: The role of energy efficiency in achieving sustainable development; End-use efficiency. Renewable energy: The role of technological development. Sustainable Urban Energy Planning.

Part II – Environmental Management. Introduction to Environmental Management Systems. Motivation to implement an Environmental Management System. The ISO 14001: 2015 standard and the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Design, development and implementation of Environmental Management Systems. The NP EN ISO 14001: 2015 standard. Environmental Certification Process. Brief reference to the Portuguese most relevant environmental legislation. Environmental Audits. The NP EN ISO 19011: 2019 standard.

PART I (10 values)

Theoretical questions - 2 values (Exam)

Practical work, with final presentation, to be carried out during theoretical-practical classes - 8 values

The assessment method for this part may be subject to adjustment for ERASMUS students.

PART II (10 values)

Students for the Environmental Management module must choose one of the two permitted assessment systems:

Traditional assessment: through a final exam, without consultation, in which students can sit for the normal exam and/or the appeal exam.

Periodic assessment: assessment through a test at the end of the academic period (50%, minimum grade of 7.5/20 values), performance and resolution and presentation of work in practical classes (50%).

In this regime, students have mandatory attendance (of theoretical and practical classes). At the time of appeal, the component obtained in class performance may be considered with a weight of 40% in the final grade, if it favors the student, maintaining the need to obtain a minimum grade of 7.5/20 in the exam.

For students under the "Student Worker Statute", and for components with mandatory attendance and distributed assessment, adjustments to the functioning of these components may be agreed with the student.

NAO