This is the main page for CMAS 801 Topics in Applied Sustainability (Winter 2011), the core Queen's University, The Stephen J.R. Smith Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Queen’s University course for the Masters in Applied Sustainability. Please leave comments using the discussion tab.

Instructors

• Dr. Pearce -225 Nicol

Co-Instructors

• Dr. Mabee
• Dr. Anderson
• Professor Vic Pakalnis - 325B Goodwin

Description

Applied sustainability is the application of science and innovation to meet human needs while indefinitely preserving the life support systems of the planet. This course provides an overview of the field with particular focus on implementation of engineering solutions. The course will be divided into three sections in which the technical and policy-related issues will be explored: 1) Sustainable Energy Technologies, 2) Sustainability and Fresh Water Systems and 3) Sustainable Resource Management.

In the first section, the engineering necessary to transition from a nuclear and fossil fuel-based energy system to one utilizing a portfolio of sustainable energy technologies will be detailed. The use of thermodynamics, energy, and dynamic life cycle analyses will be used to provide the basis for comparison between technologies.

In the second section, energy policy in Canada will be discussed, and students will have the opportunity to apply sustainability principles in designing a new energy strategy for Canada.

In the third section, society's unsustainable use of water will be examined and changes utilizing ecological principles and biomimicry necessary to meet the goal of long-term strategic and sustainable fresh water systems will be analyzed.

In the final section, the historically challenging problem of resource management will be studied to provide safe, environmentally friendly and socially benign methods of resource extraction and waste disposal.

In each section, emphasis will be given to the policy relevance of topics covered, including our ability to measure sustainability, develop lower-risk strategic plans and integrate technical concepts into planning and design.

Course Materials

No required materials -- readings will be made available online, in class or via loans.

Course Organization

The course will be broken up into four main components taught by an expert in the sub-field of Applied Sustainability (energy, policy, water, and resources). Lectures will concentrate on the presentation of theory with some simple examples. There will be a project for each of the sub-fields.

Course website: https://www.appropedia.org/CMAS801

Schedule (by week)

1. Energy 1 (Introduction)
   1. Introduction to course, What is applied sustainability? What is green washing?
   2. The standard model vs. Open Source Energy Development by the DOE
   3. CMAS801 Sustainable Energy Project Assigned
2. Energy 2 (The Problem)
   1. Energy Basics and The Sustainable Energy Challenge
   2. Climate change^[1][2] and Energy cannibalism^[3][4]
   3. Can we buy our way out? Use of Life Cycle Economics to drive energy sustainability.^[5][6]
3. Energy 3 (The Solutions)
   1. Energy Conservation, Cradle to cradle design, passive solar, industrial symbiosis and CHP
   2. Renewable Energy: Hydropower, Wind power, Photovoltaics,
   3. Biomass, Geothermal
4. Policy 1 (Canada's energy sector)
   1. What does Canada's energy sector look like, and why is it important? CMAS801 Sustainable Energy Project due
   2. CMAS 801 Energy Policy Project Assigned
   3. Class reading: Cuddihy et al. 2005 Energy use in Canada
5. Policy 2 (Canadian energy policy)
   1. A review of the National Energy Program
   2. The current situation
   3. Role of the provinces and international trade
   4. Class readings: (1) Issa et al 2008 The turning black tide: energy prices and the Canadian dollar (2) James 1993 Energy politics in Canada, 1980-1981
6. Policy 3 (Developing a Canadian energy strategy)
   1. In-class presentations on CMAS 801 Energy Policy Project
   2. Team analysis and strategy synthesis (2 teams of 3-4)
   3. Strategy presentation (2 teams) and discussion
7. Water 1- Global water issues: struggles to secure water sources, and conflicts arising from limitations in resources and use/misuse of water; Canadian water resources perspectives; sustainable approaches to water resource uses and source water protection
8. Water 2 - Urbanization and water resource impacts: stormwater management present and future (low impact development)
9. Water 3 - Sanitation and water quality: urban approaches vs. unserviced/on site approaches to protect water resources
10. Resources 1: Mining Industry – national and global perspectives - mining cycle - impact on Aboriginal Communities
11. Resources 2: Rehabilitation and Tailings Disposal – Field Trip
12. Resources 3: National and international standards for sustainable development in mining practice

References

Additional Resources

Pages in category "CMAS801"

SMW:off

CMAS801 Energy Policy Project

CMAS801 Sustainable Energy Project

CMAS801 Sustainable Resource Project

CMAS801 Sustainable Water Project

Hybrid fuel cell

Solar air heater

Trombe walls

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