Energy, Society & Market Design in the Digital Era

A modular course that connects physics, digital infrastructure, and democratic governance to design fair, resilient, and sustainable systems.

1. What is covered

This course explores how energy systems, economics, governance, and digitalisation interact. Learners move from the physical basis of energy and carbon, through networks and data, to the social contract that underpins democratic market design. By the end, you will understand both the physics and the political of energy transition.

2. Module structure

Lectures

Core theory across physics, economics, and institutions.

Virtual field trips

Interactive visuals of grids, trading, and real policy decisions.

Interviews

Short conversations with businesses, households, and policymakers.

Workshops

Design-lab exercises using real market and system data.

Lecture Series

A sequence of foundational lectures linking physics, economics, systems engineering, digital governance, circular economy thinking, and fairness-based market design.

Lecture #1: Intro to the Economy, Energy Economics, Fairness, Systems Engineering and Shapley Theory

Lecture #2: How does the electricity system and the electricity market actually work?

Lecture #3: Markets

Traditional markets, bartering, negotiation
Economic properties: IR, IC, efficiency, budget balance
Utility, value, prices, costs
Game theory (cooperative & non-cooperative)
Digital vs physical products
Digital markets, contracts, algorithmic trading
Decentralised markets, intermediaries, banks
Market makers & automatic market makers
Stocks, shares, bonds (briefly), FX trading
Accountancy, control theory, means of exchange

Future lectures to cover:

Energy, Physics, Electronics, Transistors, Quantum, Sustainability, The Carbon Cycle and Climate Change
Development of Fairness Theory as it relates to Energy
Flexibility — Theory, Valuation, Market Access
Holarchies and Networks — Coordination in Complex Energy Systems
Asynchronous Event-Driven Market Design in the Digital Era
PhD Thesis Run-Through and Results
The Circular Economy and Taxation Policy

3. Learning outcomes

Explain how energy, carbon, and climate processes are linked to everyday economic activity.
Evaluate designs using concepts of fairness, democracy, and system resilience.
Apply systems-thinking to map interactions between physics, digital networks, and social outcomes.
Critically assess UK and global policy frameworks and propose reforms consistent with liberal-democratic values.
Communicate complex energy issues to non-technical audiences through visual or narrative formats.

4. Modules & sub-modules

Module 1 – Energy, Carbon & Climate

Foundations

Theory of relativity; Electromagnetic spectrum; Carbon cycle; Climate change

Energy markets & the economy

Energy as an input good and its link to GDP
Historical evolution of the energy system
Energy costs, business resilience, and democracy
Economic schools of thought (neoclassical, Keynesian, etc.)
Regulation & governance of the energy system
Inequality, taxation, risk-taking culture; bureaucracy, welfare, and poverty

Energy & carbon policy

The Energy Trilemma
Limits of carbon certificates and offset schemes
Why low-cost electricity is fundamental to climate stability
Gas markets and electricity pricing: common misconceptions

Energy security & democracy

Price volatility risks and democratic vulnerability
Reform paths for liberalised energy markets
Role of the tech sector

Module 2 – Electronics, Networks & Communications

To be developed. Core ideas: IoT devices, smart-meter infrastructure, grid communication protocols, cybersecurity; virtual lab tracing a data packet from sensor to market-clearing engine.

Module 3 – Society, Democracy & The Economy

Western liberal democracy and citizen needs
Capitalism and communism as delivery mechanisms for public goods
Role of markets; mental health benefits of autonomy
Government oversight, security, and taxation; debt as moral responsibility
Bureaucracy and public service ethos; quangos and accountability
Science-based policy; honesty in public office; competence and manifesto integrity
Tech-enabled transparency and citizen oversight

Module 4 – Designing an energy market fit for today

Fairness in energy

Meaning and measurement of fairness; Shapley theory
Market design impacts on democracy and growth
Net Zero vs true climate mitigation; interconnection and resilience
Legislative and institutional reforms; ensuring grid stability

Systems thinking, grid resilience & current challenges

Physics-first design; renewables, storage, and constraints
Principles-based regulation; infrastructure finance & AI data-centre demand
Flexibility: definition, valuation, and efficient access
Digital marketplace concepts: retail, wholesale, balancing
Supplier business models vs liberalised market ideals; smart grid incentives

Module 5 – Materials, Sustainability & Circular Economy

To be developed. Resource flows (metals, minerals, semiconductors), life-cycle analysis, EROI, and links between material supply chains and geopolitical stability.

5. Assessment (optional)

Component	Weight	Description
Portfolio of Reflections	40%	Short essays connecting theory to lived experience — e.g., how energy, carbon, and democratic principles intersect in everyday decisions.
Community Design Project	30%	Develop a proposal for a local or community sustainability initiative that applies course principles. Examples: neighbourhood energy-sharing, resource-reuse networks, circular-economy ventures, or civic-tech tools that promote fairness and transparency. Define stakeholders, map energy/material flows, propose metrics for social, environmental, and democratic value, and outline a feasible delivery plan.
Presentation / Viva	20%	Present and defend the project to a simulated town-hall or local-council panel, demonstrating clarity of design, feasibility, and alignment with democratic values.
Participation & Field Notes	10%	Attendance, engagement, and reflections from lectures, interviews, and virtual field trips.