Brief Introduction
A quantitative introduction to the energy system and its environmental impacts.Course Summary
This course explores the challenges and opportunities of providing sustainable and reliable energy in the context of environmental constraints.Key Learning Points
- Learn about the environmental challenges faced by the energy sector
- Understand the policies and technologies used to address these challenges
- Explore case studies of successful sustainable energy projects
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the challenges of providing sustainable energy in the context of environmental constraints
- Learn about the policies and technologies used to address these challenges
- Identify successful sustainable energy projects and their key features
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic understanding of energy systems
- Familiarity with environmental policy
- Interest in sustainable energy solutions
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
Similar Courses
- Sustainable Energy and Climate Solutions
- Energy and Environment
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Bill Gates
- Greta Thunberg
Related Books
Description
Course description
Humanity faces an immense challenge: providing abundant energy to everyone without wrecking the planet. If we want a high-energy future while protecting the natural world for our children, we must consider the environmental consequences of energy production and use. But money matters too: energy solutions that ignore economic costs are not realistic, particularly in a world where billions of people currently can’t afford access to basic energy services. How can we proceed?
Energy Within Environmental Constraints won’t give you the answer. Instead, we will teach you how to ask the right questions and estimate the consequences of different choices.
This course is rich in details of real devices and light on theory. You won’t find any electrodynamics here, but you will find enough about modern commercial solar panels to estimate if they would be profitable to install in a given location. We emphasize costs: the cascade of capital and operating costs from energy extraction all the way through end uses. We also emphasize quantitative comparisons and tradeoffs: how much more expensive is electricity from solar panels than from coal plants, and how much pollution does it prevent? Is solar power as cost-effective an environmental investment as nuclear power or energy efficiency? And how do we include considerations other than cost?
This course is intended for a diverse audience. Whether you are a student, an activist, a policymaker, a business owner, or a concerned citizen, this course will help you start to think carefully about our current energy system and how we can improve its environmental performance.
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Photo credits:
Solar Farm CC-BY Michael Mees on flickr
Smokestack CC-BY Patrick on flickr
Knowledge
- What you'll learn
- The basic engineering, environmental science, and economics of our energy system.
- A working understanding of energy technologies.
- Environmental impacts of the energy system, focusing on air pollution, climate change, and land use.
- Techniques for estimating monetary costs and carbon impacts.
Outline
- Introduction
- Energy Overview
- Estimating Costs
- Environmental Impacts
- Fossil Fuels
- The Electric Grid
- Solar Power
- Nuclear Power
- Demand Reduction and Efficiency
Summary of User Reviews
This Harvard online course on energy explores the challenges of balancing the world's energy needs with environmental concerns. Users have praised the course for its engaging content and knowledgeable instructors.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
Engaging contentPros from User Reviews
- Instructors are knowledgeable and engaging
- Course materials are well-organized and easy to follow
- The course covers a wide range of topics related to energy and the environment
Cons from User Reviews
- The course can be challenging for beginners
- Some users have reported technical issues with the online platform
- The workload can be heavy at times
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