Master of Science with Distinction in Environmental System Engineering, University College London, 2006/07

This interdisciplinary Masters programme presents environmental issues and technologies within a framework of systems engineering. Graduates will understand interactions between the natural environment, people, processes and technologies and be able to develop sustainable solutions to satisfy industry and community demands.

Dissertation: Individual Environmental Systems Project

Title: Bioethanol, an opportunity for London's waste

This study evaluates the potential for producing bioethanol from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) within London. Opportunities for bioethanol production within London's waste management system are evaluated and the quantity and quality of the available waste feedstocks are estimated. The design and performance of valid biochemical conversion processes are evaluated to determine the best near term and medium term options, estimating the bioethanol production capacity. Lifecycle considerations for biofuel chains and waste management options are discussed. Domestic waste biomass resources in the UK could make a significant contribution to the EU Biofuel Directive, providing an estimated 11% of road transportation energy, mitigating Climate Change, and reducing dependence on declining oil reserves. MSW presents a unique opportunity, providing a low-cost biomass which is available in significant quantities. 57% of London's waste is estimated to consist of biodegradable lignocellulosic biomass and under London's waste management strategy an estimated 1.6 million tonnes may be available for new recovery technologies after recycling and composting targets have been met. Bioethanol production may only be successful if it is part of a well integrated waste management system, where the best practical environmental options are considered for each waste resource. Feedstock theoretical yields are estimated at 363-584 ltr/dry tonne. Concentrated acid hydrolysis is expected to outperform other biochemical conversion processes in the near term (2005-2010) with an estimated conversion efficiency of 70%. SSCF enzymatic hydrolysis is anticipated to become competitive by 2020 with an estimated conversion efficiency of 90%. If all biodegradable MSW available for new recovery options was used for bioethanol production an estimated 346 million liters of ethanol could be produced by 2020, providing 14.6% of London's 2004 petrol car consumption. Energy balances, greenhouse gas balances and production price are key criteria for a sustainable lifecycle, and MSW-bioethanol shows promising performance.

Grade: 89%

Collaborative Environmental Systems Project

Tribewanted Sustainability Plan

Tribewanted is a new ecotourism resort being developed on an small Fijian island in partnership with the local Fijian community and an online global community. This project assessed the current isling community practices, identified key sustainable issues, evaluated options for meeting present and future needs and made recommendations for their long term development using best sustainable practices.

Module aims: 1) Apply systems engineering principles to complex environmental problems 2) Synthesise recommendations regarding complex environmental problems. Further module information.

Grade: 76%

Environmental Systems

1) Knowledge of scientific principles which describe elements of environmental systems 2) Understand the interactions between physical, biological and human environments 3) Understand holistic and integrated nature of environmental systems 4) Analyse environmental problems using systems principles

Energy in the natural and built environments. Water in the natural and built environments. Materials and waste in the natural and built environments. Nutrient, energy and water cycles in ecosystems and society. Principles of ecological systems.

Grade: 65%

Systems Engineering Management

To understand, in basic terms, the procedures used in managing the Systems Engineering lifecycle, the role of systems engineering management and how to manage the lifecycle in a concurrent engineering context.

Roles in Systems Engineering Management. Processes Metrics and CMM. Configuration Control. Managing Change. Problem Solving. Decision Analysis. Managing Risk and Opportunity. Managing the Supply Chain. Systems Procurement. Customer/Contractor Interface. Soft Systems Methodologies. Team Roles and Structures. Systems Engineering Management plan. Systems Thinking. Systems Engineering Lifecycle.

An introduction to UCL's MSc in Systems Engineering Management

Grade: 74%

Systems, Society and Sustainability

1) Knowledge of major criticisms and limitations of systems thinking 2) Understand the application of systems thinking to sustainable development 3) Critically evaluate systems engineering in resolving environmental problems.

Definition and principles of sustainable development. Historical development of systems thinking in ecology, the military, computer science and other disciplines. Soft systems methodology. Systems thinking in sociology, geography, cultural studies and other disciplines. Systems approaches to sustainable development, including industrial ecology.

Grade: 76%

Electrical Power Systems and Alternative Power Systems

To be aware of the basic principles of electrical power distribution and possible system designs, methods of analysis applicable to power distribution, possible faults and measurement of quality. To be able to assess the feasibility of alternative and renewable sources of energy by the application of basic engineering principles. To be aware of the key challenges in the application and integration of alternative and renewable sources of energy. To develop communication skills.

PART 1 ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS The Single Line Diagram: construction, components and case studies. Load Flow Analysis: impedance/admittance diagrams and matrices. System faults: types of faults, Fortesque's diagram. Transmission: theory and practise of transmission systems, natural frequency, integration. Power Quality: issues and measurement, harmonics, distortion.

PART 2 ALTERNATIVE POWER SYSTEMS Hydrogen as a fuel: production, storage, distribution, combustion characteristics, safety issues. Fuel cells: thermodynamic principles, types, operating characteristics. Renewable energy sources: hydroelectric, wind, wave, tidal, ocean current, OTEC, geothermal and solar. Energy storage systems: electro-chemical batteries - high and low temperature types, flywheel storage systems, regenerative fuel cells, superconducting capacitors and inductors.

Grade: 63%

Energy Management and the Control of Noise

The first part of this module considers the theory and practice of managing facilities to minimise the use of energy while maintaining an appropriate internal environment. The second part considers the fundamentalsof sound and room acoustics and the basic methods of the control of unwanted noise.

Grade: 71%

Asset Management, Project Planning and Maintenance

Those attending this course will receive detailed theoretical information together with practical, hands-on, experience of the cosiderations needed and design requirements necessary for the constuction of major infrastructure projects. In addition, they will have direct experience of working with industry practitioners.

Introduction to asset management, Asset condition assessment Cocept of whole-life costing, asset management systems Site appraisal project-valuation of assets, asset catalogue and retrieval Asset location plans, Maintenance road rail structures Work schedules, work load packaging, intro. to CAD Project planning, intro. to primavera Seminar.

Grade: 58%