Course syllabus

Course-PM

DAT461 Renewable electricity production and electric transportation LP2 HT25 (3,5 hp)

The course is given by the department of Electrical Engineering (E2)

Contact information

Examiner: Xiangdong Xu (xiangdong.xu@chalmers.se) , 031-772 1641

Lecturer: Experts in each course parts and Xiangdong Xu.

Tutorial: Bowen Jiang (bowen.jiang@chalmers.se), 031-772 3013

    Maciej Brzycki, (brzycki@chalmers.se), 031-772 2631

The Course

Welcome to the course Renewable Electricity Production and Electric Transportation. This course introduces key principles behind modern electricity generation and emerging electric loads in power systems, with a particular focus on Sweden's energy system.

You will explore the fundamentals of electricity production from wind, solar, nuclear, and hydropower, and gain insight into how these renewable sources are integrated into the Swedish power grid. The course also covers the principle of different electric transportations, emphasizing how they interact with and impact power systems.

As global electricity demand rises, sustainable and environmentally responsible energy practices are essential. This course highlights the importance of green electricity generation and clean transportation technologies, contributing to a more sustainable future.

By the end of the course, you will:

• Gain a solid understanding of Sweden's power system and its renewable sources.
• Analyze the behavior and impact of electric transportation and other emerging loads.
• Understand the challenges and solutions related to the integration of renewables in the power grid.

Examination

To complete the course, you need to:

1. Attendat least 5 out of 9 summary lecture sessions.
2. Participate in one online one-to-one discussions (week 50) to present and review the five compusulary assignments.
3. Submit a final course report by January 19, 2026, 12:00.

Schedule

1.     Lecture Summary Sessions (9 sessions)

To support your learning, live summary and Q&A sessions are held in English on Mondays and Wednesdays, 13:00–14:00. These sessions provide an opportunity to discuss key topics, ask questions, and clarify important points covered in the lectures.

The core lecture content is pre-recorded and available on Canvas, allowing you to study at your own pace before attending the summary sessions.

2.     Tutorial Sessions (5 sessions)

Weekly tutorials focused on assignments are conducted every Thursday, 19:00–20:00, via Zoom (in English). To participate, simply sign in by writing your name in the Zoom chat. The Zoom link is available under the Zoom section on Canvas.

For additional support outside these sessions, you may email:

• jiang@chalmers.se
• brzycki@chalmers.se

3.     Assignment Presentation

After completing each assignment, summarize your results in a PowerPoint presentation, including relevant plots and brief discussion points. Once all assignments are done, you will present your results in a one-on-one oral session (week 50).

• Presentation duration: 40 minutes + 20 minutes of discussion
• Sign-upfor a time slot via the Canvas Calendar (registration opens after the fourth tutorial on  2025-12-01, with a reminder sent via Canvas)

4.     Final Course Report

To pass the course, you must submit a written course report by 19 January 2026, 12:00.

The report must include:

• A summary of key results and discussions from the assignments
• Reflections on the feedback received during your oral presentation
• Your personal conclusions and reflections on the course

Planned lectures, tutorial and subjects:

Date&Time	Topics	Lecturer	Assignment
3 Nov. 13:00-14:30	Introduction, and Electric power system in Sweden	XX	Electrical system
5 Nov. 13:00-14:00	Electricity market	Ahn Tuan Le
6 Nov. 19:00-20:00	Tutorial 1	BJ,MB
10 Nov. 13:00-14:00	Wind power basics	Ola Carlson	Wind power
12 Nov. 13:00-14:00	Wind power planning and environmental aspect	Sara Fogelström
13 Nov. 19:00-20:00	Tutorial 2	BJ,MB
17 Nov. 13:00-14:30	Electric Transportation + assignment help	XX	Electric Transportation
19 Nov. 13:00-14:00	Battery technology	Evelina Wikner
20 Nov. 19:00-20:00	Tutorial 3	BJ,MB
24 Nov. 13:00-14:00	Solar Power + assignment help	XX	Solar and Nuclear Power
26 Nov. 13:00-14:00	Nuclear power + assignment help	XX
27 Nov. 19:00-20:00	Tutorial 4	BJ,MB
1 Dec. 13:00-14:00	Hydro Power + assignment help	XX	Hydropower
3 Dec. 13:00-14:00	Assignment help for all	XX
4 Dec. 19:00-20:00	Tutorial 5	BJ,MB
Week 50, 2025	One-to-one oral presentation	XX	Examination
19 Jan. 2026 12:00	Final Course Report	XX

Course literature

All course materials are available on the course homepage, organized under each module.

In addition, several compendiums and supplementary resources are provided. You are not required to read all of them—please select the materials that are most relevant and interesting to you, particularly those that support your work on the assignments.

Course structure

This course provides you with technical descriptions of renewable electricity production from wind, solar, nuclear, and hydro power. By studying these power generation techniques, you will develop a basic understanding of their principles and applications. Additionally, we will explore the unique characteristics of emerging loads, with a specific focus on battery electric vehicles. Understanding the structure of the Swedish power system and addressing grid integration challenges for renewable power sources and emerging loads will also be key components of this course.

Lectures (summary and Q&A): contains the summary of the predefined topics (30 minutes) followed with discussion and Q&A section (30 minutes).

Assignment tasks:

This course includes five mandatory assignments, each addressing a key topic in renewable energy and electric transport. All assignments require simulation and analysis using Microsoft Excel, with support available through weekly sessions and email.

You are expected to present your results in an online oral presentation and submit a final written report to complete the course.

Electric power system project: Design a future electric power system based on current production structures. Analyze 2024 data (available from Svenska kraftnät) using Excel to visualize future energy mixes and assess their implications. Estimated time: ~8 hours.

Wind power project: Simulate annual wind energy production for a typical wind power plant at a chosen location. Create a wind-power curve and analyze turbine operation phases, focusing on optimal performance. Estimated time: ~12 hours

Solar Power Planning project: Use map tools to select a residential roof, estimate area and panel count, and calculate peak power capacity. Choose suitable inverter and battery storage, and determine payback time based on assumed electricity use and pricing. Estimated time: ~12 hours

Electric vehicle project: Evaluate EV energy use and motor efficiency using Excel-based vehicle dynamics and motor loss models. Simulate road loads, acceleration, and power demands over the NEDC drive cycle, with and without regenerative braking. Analyze motor losses and estimate battery performance under different load conditions. Estimated time: ~8–10 hours

Hydropower project: Explore how electricity production varies with water flow and drop height. Examine hydropower operation in relation to demand and variable production from wind and solar power. Estimated time: ~5 hours

Changes since the last course session

• Added a nuclear power section to expand coverage of generation topics.
• Updated the EV assignment to focus on AC motors and pure EVs, replacing earlier DC motor and hybrid use cases.
• Wind power content reduced to improve focus and balance.
• Attendance requirement: students must attend at least 5 out of 9 lecture summary sessions.
• Oral presentation format updated: now one extended 1-hour session instead of two shorter 30-minute sessions.

Learning objectives

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

1. Explain the driving forces and motivations behind the increasing emphasis on renewable electricity production and the electrification of the transport sector.
2. Describe the technical characteristics, performance, and environmental consequences associated with wind, solar, wave, and hydroelectric power generation.
3. Describe the technical characteristics and performance of components within electric and electric hybrid vehicle powertrains.

Ability and Skill:

1. Identify, analyze, and formulate relationships related to electric power production and the operation of electric vehicles.
2. Plan and perform basic calculations of electric power production and energy consumption for electric vehicles.
3. Select and justify different solutions for renewable electricity production.
4. Select and justify sustainable transportation options for both individuals and goods.
5. Engage in national and international discussions on various aspects of renewable electricity production and sustainable transportation through reading, writing, presenting, and discussing reports and articles.

Assessment Formulation and Professional Attitude:

1. Formulate assessments that include reflections on scientific, social, and ethical aspects, demonstrating an awareness of the ethical dimensions of research and development.
2. Gain insight and understanding of the possibilities and limitations of technology, its role in society, and the ethical responsibilities associated with its use, considering social, economic, environmental, and health impacts.
3. Demonstrate the ability to continue independent study and contribute to the advancement of society.