Multidimensional Approaches for Technology Assessment
Multidimensionale Ansätze für Technikfolgenabschätzung
6 CPSummerEN
Contents
Course coverage: • Relevance and development of technology assessment; • Common methodological approaches and their usefulness/weakness; • Data and approaches for assessment (e.g., primary vs. secondary; qualitative vs. quantitative); • Methodologies for socio-political evaluations, techno-economic evaluations and ecological evaluations; • Application on a case study to assess multidimensional opportunities and challenges associated with the transformation of a specific sector and derive implications along the STEEP dimensions based on assessment results.
Learning outcomes
Students know about a range of technology assessment approaches, methodologies and tools to facilitate the evaluation of decarbonization & sustainability transformation options along socio-technological-economical-ecological-political (STEEP) dimensions. On completion of the module, students are able to: • Demonstrate a deep understanding of the multidimensional aspects and systemic interactions in the transformation of energy- and carbon-intensive industries; • Gain familiarity with a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in conducting technology assessment; • Design and conduct studies to analyze the opportunities and challenges which will be associated with the transformation of energy- and carbon-intensive industries along multiple dimensions; • Identify, assess and evaluate appropriate sources of information and critically reflect on the methodologies commonly implemented for technology assessment and their usefulness/weaknesses.
Assessment
• Individual component (E-assessment), 60-90 min - 50% • Group Project - Part 1: Create a scientific poster (Analysis of e.g., a scientific article, industry report, case study, ...) - 25% • Group Project - Part 2: Presentation, 15min - 25%
Literature (6)
- Lee, R.P., Meyer, B., Huang, Q.L, Voss, R. 2020. Sustainable waste management for zero waste cities in China: potential, challenges and opportunities. Clean Energy, 4(3): 169 – 201.
- Lee, R.P. 2019. Alternative carbon feedstock for the chemical industry? – Assessing the challenges posed by the human dimension in the carbon transition, Journal of Cleaner Production, 219: 786-796.
- Lee, R. P., Tschoepe, M., Voss, R. 2021. Perception of chemical recycling and its role in the transition towards a circular carbon economy: A case study in Germany. Waste Management, 125: 280-292.
- Voss, R., Lee, R.P., Seidl, L., Keller, F., Fröhling, M. 2021. Global warming potential and economic performance of gasification-based chemical recycling and incineration pathways for residual municipal solid waste treatment in Germany. Waste Management, 134: 206 – 219.
- Keller, F., Lee, R.P., Meyer, B. 2020. Life cycle assessment of global warming potential, resource depletion and acidification potential of fossil, renewable and secondary feedstock for olefin production in Germany. Journal of Cleaner Production, 250: 119484.
- Lee, R.P., Scheibe, A. 2020. The politics of a carbon transition: An analysis of political indicators for a transformation in the German chemical industry, Journal of Cleaner Production, 244: 118629.
Source: BTU's module description · retrieved 29 Sep 2026Original