Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing humankind. As a response to it, profound changes to the way energy is produced and utilised are rapidly taking place. Energy Change encompasses the development of new energy technologies together with economic, social and policy measures needed for their widespread deployment. This course focuses on renewable energies and energy efficiency. It aims to help students identify the major ‘big picture’ questions in the area of energy resources and energy technologies and then develop technically sound ways of answering them.

The course commences with a brief description of the scientific evidence for climate change, followed by an overview of the main source of carbon emissions, energy production. A look into the main indicators of energy supply and consumption in the world sets the scene for discussing different scenarios for an energy mix that could limit the predicted increase in the world’s average temperature. Such energy mix relies heavily on the deployment of renewable energy technologies: biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, tidal, wave and wind. The scientific and technical foundations of these technologies are examined in order to assess their ultimate potential as well as their practical limitations. Because of the rapid pace of change in this field the course focuses on developing students’ skills in framing questions and finding answers, as well as being able to critically evaluate those answers and support them with scientific evidence.

Upon completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to-

1. Identify and use reliable sources of information on energy, and develop their own knowledge and understanding using recently published information.
2. Describe and quantify the major factors affecting the potential contribution to the world's needs of the various sources of energy, such as available resource, status of technical development, and economic aspects.
3. Explain the scientific basis of the energy technologies studied, and use that understanding in calculating the contribution an energy source can make in given circumstances.
4. Explain the potential interaction between 1) different energy sources 2) energy sources and the grid structure and operation, 3) energy sources and present/future demand patterns, 4) energy efficiency and demand.
5. Use the levelized cost of electricity and experience curves to predict energy costs, and understand the limitations of each method.
6. Develop a personal well-argued and quantified view of a possible energy future.

Major project (40% total); On-line discussion forum (10%); Assignments and quizzes (30%); Opinion piece (20%).

An undergraduate degree