Renewable Energy Systems

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

For more than 40 years, Denmark has embarked in its renewable energy transition journey and has become a role model for the rest of the world. Much more effort is still needed to move away from fossil fuels and have a 100 % renewable energy society by 2050. What are the drivers for this remarkable achievement? What lessons can be drawn? what are the bottlenecks for the development of renewable energy infrastructure? The course is designed to provide a better understanding of renewable energy systems and do not require a technical background. This course is recommended for students who have an interest in sustainability, climate action, economics, environmental impacts, business, policy, planning and general problem solving. It is not an engineering course, although some basic technical components will be addressed. More than half of the climate crisis can be attributed to the extensive use of fossil energy. Globally, in 2019, more than 80 % of our energy consumption was still based on fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal). A profound and urgent transition is required to move our current energy systems towards more sustainable energy production, if society wants to minimize the catastrophic consequences of our changing climate, largely induced by our increasing use of energy. This class will focus on many Danish and Northern European examples, by exploring the interdependence of electricity, heating and transport systems through concrete and innovative energy solutions (wind, solar, biofuel, electrification, etc.). Drivers and barriers for these solutions will be discussed in order to identify the critical paths towards energy transition acceleration. The mutually reinforcing roles in energy transition of policy makers, government, civil society and businesses will also be discussed in depth.