Postgraduate Diploma in Energy Policy

Purpose

The Qualification is aimed at technical professionals who want to pursue a career in the energy industry addressing policy and business practices. It also serves as a means for established and young professionals to acquire knowledge and skills which will allow them to function effectively in the field of Nuclear Energy Policy and Business Management Practice; nationally and internationally.

Rationale

The successful implementation of a country's Energy Programme hinges on three pillars

• Appropriate technology and supporting engineering skills.
• Appropriate business and financing model.
• Appropriate policy and regulatory framework.

The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for electricity is in line with South Africa's commitments to mitigating climate change as expressed at the Copenhagen climate change summit. The IRP aims to achieve a balance between an affordable electricity price to support a globally competitive economy, a more sustainable and efficient economy, the creation of local jobs, the demand for scarce resources and the need to meet nationally appropriate emission targets in line with global commitments. In pursuit of striking this balance, the IRP introduced, among other energy sources, the implementation of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) to contribute at least 9.6 Gigawatts (GW) by 2030.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Energy Policy is aimed at developing knowledge and skills in energy policy and business model design. It will enable learners to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of total systems solutions in a wide variety of engineering problems, and the integration of human, physical, energy, communications, management, and information requirements as needed, as well as the application of requisite analytical methods to specific situations. Additionally, this qualification is designed to empower policymakers and owners or operators of the NPPs with the requisite knowledge and skills to be informed purchasers thereof.

It is assumed that learners accessing this qualification are able to critically read, analyse and reflect on study material and relevant literature at NQF Level 7.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Admission to this qualification may be obtained through the Recognition of Prior Learning. Candidates who do not qualify for admission in terms of the minimum admission criteria may be considered for admission through a process of RPL in keeping with the institutional RPL policy and Faculty of Engineering rules.

Access to the Qualification

For admission to this qualification, learners should be in possession of one of the following

• Bachelor of Engineering at NQF Level 7/8.
• Bachelor of Technology NQF Level 7.
• Bachelor Science at NQF Level 7.
• Bachelor Science with Honours.

The qualification comprises four compulsory modules and one elective module at NQF Level 8, totalling 130 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Energy and the Environment, 16 Credits.
• Energy Regulatory and Policy Practices, 16 Credits.
• Energy Business and Finance, 16 Credits.
• Summative Integrated Assignment, 66 Credits.

Elective Modules (Learners are to choose 1 elective module)

• Technologies for Nuclear Power, 16 Credits.
• Introductory Physical Sciences for Nuclear Power, 16 Credits.
• Energy Governance Practices, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate comprehensive, systematic and integrated knowledge of Energy Policy and Business issues with an understanding of the theories and techniques relevant to the field.
2. Make sound theoretical judgements based on evidence from multiple sources of knowledge to critique current research and scholarly or professional literature on nuclear energy policy and business issues.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of a range of research methods, techniques and technologies and select appropriately for a particular research problem in an area of nuclear energy policy and business issues.
4. Identify, analyse and deal with complex and/or real world problems and issues using evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments in the field of nuclear energy policy and business issues.
5. Identify and address ethical and sustainability issues relevant to nuclear energy policies and business practices pertaining specifically to environmental issues and nuclear waste management, based on critical reflection on the different of ethical value systems.
6. Present and communicate academic professional work effectively, catering for a range of audiences by using a range of different genres appropriate to the context of nuclear energy policy and business practices.
7. Operate effectively within a system through demonstrating an understanding of the roles and relationships between the elements of the system.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

The Qualification develops all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes.

The following Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to determine competence in the Exit Level Outcomes

• The financial and environmental outlook for the Global energy market is analysed with a specific view to understanding the opportunities and challenges for the nuclear energy industry within this framework.
• The environmental issues of nuclear and other energy sources are analysed with a specific view to optimising the energy resource mix in their countries with respect to the protection of the environment.
• The sustainability and energy security issues for nuclear and alternative energy sources are analysed and understood with a specific view to optimising the energy resource mix in their countries.
• The present status, future opportunities and challenges of the global energy supply and demand are explained, analysed and interpreted with special reference to global energy source preferences, demand and supply, future energy profile; average energy ratios and carbon emissions for wind, solar, nuclear, coal, oil and natural gas.
• Alternative solutions to the environmental issues of nuclear and other energy sources are assessed, critiqued and proposed.
• The fundamentals of the global nuclear regulation framework are explained.
• The knowledge of specified regulations to produce a Safety Assessment Report (SAR), other regulatory documents, SAR chapters and related background reports are demonstrated.
• Alternative solutions to the South African Regulatory Regime and processes are assessed and critiqued to compile a project licensing strategy for a nuclear project.
• Alternative solutions for localisation of a new build programme are assessed, critiqued and recommended and a Localisation Plan for a South African Nuclear project is proposed and motivated .
• Alternative solutions for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for a nuclear project are assessed, critiqued and recommended.
• The drivers behind cost factors in the context of a nuclear power plant project are described.
• Alternative solutions such as compiling a Life Cycle Costing (LCC) framework for a nuclear project are compared to another power project.
• The linkages between localisation, sustainable job creation and economic growth are analysed, argued and quantified.
• The application to power generation by nuclear fission is described and interpreted in terms of simple mathematical treatment of nuclear physics.
• The nuclear fuel cycle and reprocessing are analysed with a view to aligning nuclear policy in their countries with probable future technology options.
• Alternative solutions for the application of commercially available nuclear reactors to a given power generation scenario are assessed, critiqued and proposed.
• The various physics terms and their application in the nuclear power industry are adequately described and defined.
• The various physics terms pertaining to ionising radiation and their application in the nuclear industry are described and defined, and the risks associated with radioactive nuclear waste and nuclear accidents are adequately assessed in an ethically justifiable perspective.
• The basics of radiation protection are described, defined, analysed and interpreted with a view to making informed inputs into radiation protection policies and to disseminating scientifically informed views about the risks associated with ionising radiation.
• The present status of social responsibility in the nuclear industry is compared to other energy industries.
• Best practices for communicating nuclear related information to the media are explained.
• The importance of proper communication and media management is controlled in the context of the nuclear industry.
• The concepts and principles of knowledge management in the nuclear industry are explained.
• One of an organisation's key knowledge management processes is designed, integrated and implemented.
• Research themes are appropriately identified and demarcated.
• Research themes including a comprehensive and critical review of current literature and investigations are analysed.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment

Learning and assessment are integrated. Continual formative assessment is required in order to provide learners with feedback on their progress in the achievement of the learning outcomes.

Summative assessment

The assessment methods include module assignments and a compulsory summative integrated assignment. Assessment will ensure engagement with both theory and practice.