The Political Economy of Renewable Energy

Given the challenges presented by climate change, environmental degradation, and resource scarcity, virtually everybody agrees that "business as usual" in energy production and consumption is no longer tenable. Global-scale innovation has become imperative, particularly in the area of renewable energy. Costs must come down, new solutions must be developed, and new opportunities for deployment must be opened up. But there is more than just technology involved. As this course will demonstrate, energy systems involve the intersection of technologies, markets, domestic political institutions, interest groups, commercial strategies, and international competition. Enrollment limited to 20 juniors and seniors concentrating in Political Science and International Relations, others by instructor permission.