Renewable energy and energy efficiency applications will key to addressing climate change today and in the future. This course looks the challenges of energy demand and climate change and the role of sustainable energy policy, technology and practices to address these challenges. Drawing on student identified interests and priorities, students will learn from successful cases in Freiburg, Germany and Europe as well as draw parallels to existing and future strategies in the US.
Studying the topic while being in one of the most sustainable cities in the EU – Freiburg, Germany - students are certain to be gain invaluable experience and be inspired for their future personal and professional paths.
Prerequisites:
Basic knowledge of and keen interest in climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course students will be able to:
Formulate and apply fundamental structures and driving forces of global developments (e.g. demographic and climate change) as well as their link with systems of power supply.
Research and analyze basic technological, economic and organisational aspects of using renewable energy sources.
Analyze systemic interrelations between technological, economic and political developments in this field.
Analyze and discuss the potential of renewable energies to cope with the consequences of oil depletion, climate change and declining resources.
Assess feedback mechanisms by policy measures in innovative technologies, in the dynamic of
the market and in the ecosphere.
Understand and analyze that global and national strategies need innovative regional concepts which are socially acceptable.
Analyze and compare the key characteristics of environmental and climate-related politics of the
EU and Germany as well as the role of international climate negotiations.
Method of presentation:
Lectures
Student simulations, scenarios, research and observation-based problem-solving
Video Clips
Student presentations, exchange and discussion
Study of current events related to session topics
Student Team Teaching
Workshop activities within class
Field study to learn from sustainable energy solutions in the Freiburg region
Required work and form of assessment:
Mid-term (15%)
Sustainable Energy Journal (10%)
Renewable Energy-Energy Efficiency Project Proposal or Business Plan (30%: 20% for project and 10% for presentation of work to classmates)
Class participation (20%)
Final exam (25%)
Class participation (20%)
Seminar discussions which are based upon the compulsory readings and teaching introductions to the subject given at each session by the instructor. All students are expected to come to class having completed required readings and join the seminar discussions. Participation is also based on active participation in class defined readings and research in for sessions 12 through 15.
Mid-term (15%)
The midterm exam consists of essay questions covering the material of the first nine sessions (lectures and readings) to ensure that the basic policy concepts to date have been understood.
Sustainable Energy Journal (10%)
During the first week of the course, you will prepare a sustainable energy journal to be handed in to the instructor daily. Your journal will outline observations of and reflections upon what you see in Freiburg as well as 5 ideas for your Project or Business Plan assignment.
Renewable Energy-Energy Efficiency Project Proposal or Business Plan (30%: 20% for project and 10% for presentation of work to classmates)
This assignment will help you to learn and demonstrate how you would put a sustainable energy project into place. You will prepare a project proposal or business plan (depending on the nature of what you wish to implement) (guidelines will be provided) and you will present your plan in class during sessions 16 and 17.
Final exam (25%)
Whereas the mid-term exam served to ensure that you had an understanding of the basic concepts and background of the material and concepts presented mid-way through the course, the final exam will test your overall knowledge and ability to analyze the concepts, policies and practices that you have learned during the entire term.
content:
I. Introduction
Session 1: A presentation of course content followed by a student-focussed workshop to discover and understand student interests in sustainable energy and climate change.
II – Energy in Today’s World: Context and Driving Forces
Session 2: Energy Outlooks: Declining resources in a growing world
The power needs of developed and developing nations are massive and will be met by a combination of traditional and renewable fuel sources. We will discuss economic and demographic growth in the context of world energy needs and compare differing views on world energy outlooks and global energy priorities.
Required Reading:
FOR SESSIONS 2 AND 3: Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 1. Sections 1.1-1.7
World Energy Outlook 2012 Executive Summary (On Moodle)
Session 3: Understanding Climate Change
Regardless of varying opinions on causes and impacts, climate change is a proven phenomenon. In this session we will seek to understand what is meant by climate change. We will have a look at the scientist reports, discuss why climate-neutrality must be a priority and as a group we will discuss and propose climate protection and what can and is being done to be climate neutral.
Required Reading:
FOR SESSIONS 2 AND 3: Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 1. Sections 1.1-1.7
Climate Change Indicators in the United States – EPA 2012 - Pages 1-15 (and beyond as recommended reading)
Recommended Reading:
IPPC Assessment Reports (summaries) at www. ipcc.ch
Session 4:Sustainable Energy: the winning combination to combat climate change
The terms “Renewable Energy” and “Sustainable Energy” are often used interchangeably, yet there they are not one and the same. Sustainable energy is much broader in both its definition and its impact on mitigating climate change. It includes renewable sources, as well as energy source for generations to come. We will examine how sustainable energy’s role in combatting climate change.
Required Reading:
IPCC: A Report of Working Group III of the IPCC. RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION: SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS(On Moodle)
III – Sustainable Energy Policy : Setting the stage for implementation
Session 5: International Policies and Strategies: past and future
Since nearly every country in the world became Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change a gamut of international agreements and negotiations have followed. We will look at the impact of these policies and strategies on climate change and in particular in the uptake of sustainable energies, as well as their limitations.
Recommended Reading:
Rough Guide: The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol (Moodle)
Session 6: German Energy and Climate Policy: Part 1 - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy
As a major energy user and emissions emitter Germany has been one of the leading countries on the globe to put forth climate policy, supported by many strategies including sustainable energy. We will look at the evolution of the Germany renewables market as well as some of the energy related policies that support Germany’s position as a world leader in the sector.
Required Reading:
FOR SESSIONS 6 AND 7: Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 11: all sections.
German Politics, Vol.19, No.2, June 2010, pp.148–163 CHRISTOPH H. STEFES. Bypassing Germany’s Reformstau: The Remarkable Rise of Renewable Energy (source: EBSCO)
Session 7: German Energy and Climate Policy: Part 2 – It’s not just about renewables: other successful climate strategies and policies in Germany
What other sectors are contributors to increased climate change beyond energy? We will look at some of the other climate change policies in Germany, which are not directly linked to sustainable energy policy and practices…or are they?
Required Reading:
FOR SESSIONS 6 AND 7: Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 11: all sections.
German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. March 2009.
Combating Climate Change the German adaptation Strategy – with a particular focus on chapter 3
German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Waste Management in Germany January 2011
Session 8: European Environmental, Energy and Climate Policy – Part 1
The EU is a leader in sustainable energy policy. We will look at the EU policy and how Member States have implemented it with different policy and market mechanisms.
Required Reading:
FOR SESSIONS 8 AND 9: Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 9: all sections.
The EU Renewable Energy Directive(Moodle)
Recommended Reading:
Renewables Make the Difference. EU. 2011 (Moodle)
Session 9: European Environmental, Energy and Climate Policy – Part 2
Climate Policy within the EU extends beyond Renewable Energy Policy. We’ll look at the greater overall climate strategy within Europe including goals and how they are implemented within strategies such as the EU ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme).
FOR SESSIONS 12 THROUGH 15, WE WILL DETERMINE CLASS DEFINED READINGS BASED UPON STUDENT IDENTIFIED QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH IN ADDITION TO Renewable Energy Facts ASSIGNED READING.
IV - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technologies: From R&D, to implementation, to impacting climate change
Session 11: Renewable Energy Implementation: Key success factors
As an introduction to sessions 12 through 15, we will examine the key elements to RE development, implementation and large scale deployment.
Required Research/Class defined reading:
Class identified research question
Required Reading:
Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 10: all sections.
Session 12: Large Scale Power Projects
We will look at the latest discussions surrounding implementation of large scale renewable power projects such as technology, grid connection, transmission, storage, financing and risk.
Required Research/Class defined reading:
Class identified research question
Required Reading:
Renewable Energy Facts: Sections 2.6 and 3.3 and Chapter 6: all sections.
Session 13: Community and Small Scale Projects
The particularities and importance of small scale, decentralized projects will be discussed.
Required Research/Class defined reading:
Class identified research question
Required Reading:
Renewable Energy Facts: Sections 2.1-2.4; 3.1-3.2; 5.5;8.1 and Chapter 4: all sections.
Session 14: Biomass and Biofuels: the good and the bad
Biofuels are part of many national strategies to reduce the use of non-renewable fossil fuels. There are however many discussions surrounding their sustainability. We will discuss the good and the bad sides of this “renewable” resource.
Required Research/Class defined reading:
Class identified research question
Required Reading:
Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 5: all sections.
Session 15: Energy Efficiency: the forgotten high climate impact technologies and processes
Why is efficiency such an important part of sustainable energy strategies? In this session we will discuss the role of efficiency in overall energy policy and strategies, in reducing carbon and impacting the bottom line for the private sector, governments and individuals.
Required Research/Class defined reading:
Class identified research question
Required Reading:
Renewable Energy Facts: Sections 1.8 – 1.9; 1.11
Session 16: Student Presentations Part 1: Sustainable Energy Project Proposals /Business Plan
Session 17: Student Presentations Part 2: Sustainable Energy Project Proposals /Business Plan
Session 18: Sustainable Energy Applications in Developing Country Contexts
Developing countries and emerging economies are important target areas for renewable energies. They tend to make up the majority of “vulnerability areas” for climate change, will continue to represent a large amount of new global growth and provide opportunities for the development of green economies by addressing development and environmental challenges at the same time.
Session 19: Final Exam
Session 20: Summary, Wrap-up and Student’s Personal/Professional Statements
Readings:
Dieter Seifried; and Walter Witzel. Renewable Energy - The Facts . London and Washington, D.C.: Earthscan, 2010.
Environmental Protection Agency. Climate Change Indicators in the United States. 2012.
German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. March 2009.
International Energy Agency: World Energy Outlook 2012 Executive Summary
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change : Assessment Reports. www. ipcc.ch
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A Report of Working Group III of the IPCC. RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION: SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
Rough Guide: The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. UNFCCC. 2011
Required readings:
Please see readings, specified for each lesson
Recommended readings:
Recommendations from professor during course
Brief Biography of Instructor:
Sandra Makinson has been working in the sustainability sector for near to 20 years and in over 10 countries globally. She has a vast range of experience varying from policy and project development, to managing projects for renewable energy applications in poverty-stricken areas, training bankers on investing in sustainable energy, and lecturing to graduate students on financing renewable energy. She has on the ground experience with the public, non-profit and private sectors and has developed and implemented multi-country EU projects. Ms. Makinson is fluent in several languages and has worked at the European, World and Latin American Secretariats of ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) and the Canopus Foundation in Freiburg. As a sustainability consultant, she now works with clients such as BASE (The Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy) and the United Nations Environmental Program in Paris. One of the most influential mentors at the start of her professional career was a former IES Abroad Student. Ms. Makinson graduated from the University of Ottawa (B.S.Sc.) and holds an advanced degree from the University of Waterloo (Masters in Applied Environmental Studies). She has been teaching policy-related courses at IES EU since Autumn 2011 and also teaches on the topic of renewable energy and climate for the IES Freiburg program.
Renewable energy and energy efficiency applications will key to addressing climate change today and in the future. This course looks the challenges of energy demand and climate change and the role of sustainable energy policy, technology and practices to address these challenges. Drawing on student identified interests and priorities, students will learn from successful cases in Freiburg, Germany and Europe as well as draw parallels to existing and future strategies in the US.
Studying the topic while being in one of the most sustainable cities in the EU – Freiburg, Germany - students are certain to be gain invaluable experience and be inspired for their future personal and professional paths.
Basic knowledge of and keen interest in climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
By the end of the course students will be able to:
Class participation (20%)
Seminar discussions which are based upon the compulsory readings and teaching introductions to the subject given at each session by the instructor. All students are expected to come to class having completed required readings and join the seminar discussions. Participation is also based on active participation in class defined readings and research in for sessions 12 through 15.
Mid-term (15%)
The midterm exam consists of essay questions covering the material of the first nine sessions (lectures and readings) to ensure that the basic policy concepts to date have been understood.
Sustainable Energy Journal (10%)
During the first week of the course, you will prepare a sustainable energy journal to be handed in to the instructor daily. Your journal will outline observations of and reflections upon what you see in Freiburg as well as 5 ideas for your Project or Business Plan assignment.
Renewable Energy-Energy Efficiency Project Proposal or Business Plan (30%: 20% for project and 10% for presentation of work to classmates)
This assignment will help you to learn and demonstrate how you would put a sustainable energy project into place. You will prepare a project proposal or business plan (depending on the nature of what you wish to implement) (guidelines will be provided) and you will present your plan in class during sessions 16 and 17.
Final exam (25%)
Whereas the mid-term exam served to ensure that you had an understanding of the basic concepts and background of the material and concepts presented mid-way through the course, the final exam will test your overall knowledge and ability to analyze the concepts, policies and practices that you have learned during the entire term.
I. Introduction
Session 1: A presentation of course content followed by a student-focussed workshop to discover and understand student interests in sustainable energy and climate change.
II – Energy in Today’s World: Context and Driving Forces
Session 2: Energy Outlooks: Declining resources in a growing world
The power needs of developed and developing nations are massive and will be met by a combination of traditional and renewable fuel sources. We will discuss economic and demographic growth in the context of world energy needs and compare differing views on world energy outlooks and global energy priorities.
Required Reading:
FOR SESSIONS 2 AND 3: Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 1. Sections 1.1-1.7
World Energy Outlook 2012 Executive Summary (On Moodle)
Session 3: Understanding Climate Change
Regardless of varying opinions on causes and impacts, climate change is a proven phenomenon. In this session we will seek to understand what is meant by climate change. We will have a look at the scientist reports, discuss why climate-neutrality must be a priority and as a group we will discuss and propose climate protection and what can and is being done to be climate neutral.
Required Reading:
FOR SESSIONS 2 AND 3: Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 1. Sections 1.1-1.7
Climate Change Indicators in the United States – EPA 2012 - Pages 1-15 (and beyond as recommended reading)
Recommended Reading:
IPPC Assessment Reports (summaries) at www. ipcc.ch
Session 4: Sustainable Energy: the winning combination to combat climate change
The terms “Renewable Energy” and “Sustainable Energy” are often used interchangeably, yet there they are not one and the same. Sustainable energy is much broader in both its definition and its impact on mitigating climate change. It includes renewable sources, as well as energy source for generations to come. We will examine how sustainable energy’s role in combatting climate change.
Required Reading:
IPCC: A Report of Working Group III of the IPCC. RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION: SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS (On Moodle)
III – Sustainable Energy Policy : Setting the stage for implementation
Session 5: International Policies and Strategies: past and future
Since nearly every country in the world became Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change a gamut of international agreements and negotiations have followed. We will look at the impact of these policies and strategies on climate change and in particular in the uptake of sustainable energies, as well as their limitations.
Required Reading:
World Meterological Organisation Overview of UNFCC and Kyoto - http://www.wmo.int/pages/themes/climate/international_unfccc.php
UNFCC Details on the COP - http://unfccc.int/bodies/body/6383.php
Recommended Reading:
Rough Guide: The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol (Moodle)
Session 6: German Energy and Climate Policy: Part 1 - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy
As a major energy user and emissions emitter Germany has been one of the leading countries on the globe to put forth climate policy, supported by many strategies including sustainable energy. We will look at the evolution of the Germany renewables market as well as some of the energy related policies that support Germany’s position as a world leader in the sector.
Required Reading:
FOR SESSIONS 6 AND 7: Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 11: all sections.
German Politics, Vol.19, No.2, June 2010, pp.148–163 CHRISTOPH H. STEFES. Bypassing Germany’s Reformstau: The Remarkable Rise of Renewable Energy (source: EBSCO)
Recommended Reading:
http://www.dena.de/en/
Session 7: German Energy and Climate Policy: Part 2 – It’s not just about renewables: other successful climate strategies and policies in Germany
What other sectors are contributors to increased climate change beyond energy? We will look at some of the other climate change policies in Germany, which are not directly linked to sustainable energy policy and practices…or are they?
Required Reading:
FOR SESSIONS 6 AND 7: Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 11: all sections.
German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. March 2009.
Combating Climate Change the German adaptation Strategy – with a particular focus on chapter 3
German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Waste Management in Germany January 2011
Session 8: European Environmental, Energy and Climate Policy – Part 1
The EU is a leader in sustainable energy policy. We will look at the EU policy and how Member States have implemented it with different policy and market mechanisms.
Required Reading:
FOR SESSIONS 8 AND 9: Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 9: all sections.
The EU Renewable Energy Directive (Moodle)
Recommended Reading:
Renewables Make the Difference. EU. 2011 (Moodle)
Session 9: European Environmental, Energy and Climate Policy – Part 2
Climate Policy within the EU extends beyond Renewable Energy Policy. We’ll look at the greater overall climate strategy within Europe including goals and how they are implemented within strategies such as the EU ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme).
Required Reading:
FOR SESSIONS 8 AND 9: Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 9: all sections.
DG Clima website: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/clima/mission/index_en.htm
Session 10: Mid-term Exam
FOR SESSIONS 12 THROUGH 15, WE WILL DETERMINE CLASS DEFINED READINGS BASED UPON STUDENT IDENTIFIED QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH IN ADDITION TO Renewable Energy Facts ASSIGNED READING.
IV - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technologies: From R&D, to implementation, to impacting climate change
Session 11: Renewable Energy Implementation: Key success factors
As an introduction to sessions 12 through 15, we will examine the key elements to RE development, implementation and large scale deployment.
Required Research/Class defined reading:
Class identified research question
Required Reading:
Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 10: all sections.
Session 12: Large Scale Power Projects
We will look at the latest discussions surrounding implementation of large scale renewable power projects such as technology, grid connection, transmission, storage, financing and risk.
Required Research/Class defined reading:
Class identified research question
Required Reading:
Renewable Energy Facts: Sections 2.6 and 3.3 and Chapter 6: all sections.
Session 13: Community and Small Scale Projects
The particularities and importance of small scale, decentralized projects will be discussed.
Required Research/Class defined reading:
Class identified research question
Required Reading:
Renewable Energy Facts: Sections 2.1-2.4; 3.1-3.2; 5.5;8.1 and Chapter 4: all sections.
Session 14: Biomass and Biofuels: the good and the bad
Biofuels are part of many national strategies to reduce the use of non-renewable fossil fuels. There are however many discussions surrounding their sustainability. We will discuss the good and the bad sides of this “renewable” resource.
Required Research/Class defined reading:
Class identified research question
Required Reading:
Renewable Energy Facts: Chapter 5: all sections.
Session 15: Energy Efficiency: the forgotten high climate impact technologies and processes
Why is efficiency such an important part of sustainable energy strategies? In this session we will discuss the role of efficiency in overall energy policy and strategies, in reducing carbon and impacting the bottom line for the private sector, governments and individuals.
Required Research/Class defined reading:
Class identified research question
Required Reading:
Renewable Energy Facts: Sections 1.8 – 1.9; 1.11
Session 16: Student Presentations Part 1: Sustainable Energy Project Proposals /Business Plan
Session 17: Student Presentations Part 2: Sustainable Energy Project Proposals /Business Plan
Session 18: Sustainable Energy Applications in Developing Country Contexts
Developing countries and emerging economies are important target areas for renewable energies. They tend to make up the majority of “vulnerability areas” for climate change, will continue to represent a large amount of new global growth and provide opportunities for the development of green economies by addressing development and environmental challenges at the same time.
Session 19: Final Exam
Session 20: Summary, Wrap-up and Student’s Personal/Professional Statements
Readings:
Dieter Seifried; and Walter Witzel. Renewable Energy - The Facts . London and Washington, D.C.: Earthscan, 2010.
Environmental Protection Agency. Climate Change Indicators in the United States. 2012.
German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. March 2009.
International Energy Agency: World Energy Outlook 2012 Executive Summary
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change : Assessment Reports. www. ipcc.ch
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A Report of Working Group III of the IPCC. RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION: SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
World Meterological Organisation Overview of UNFCC and Kyoto - http://www.wmo.int/pages/themes/climate/international_unfccc.php
Renewables Make the Difference. EU , 2011
Rough Guide: The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. UNFCCC. 2011
Please see readings, specified for each lesson
Recommendations from professor during course
Sandra Makinson has been working in the sustainability sector for near to 20 years and in over 10 countries globally. She has a vast range of experience varying from policy and project development, to managing projects for renewable energy applications in poverty-stricken areas, training bankers on investing in sustainable energy, and lecturing to graduate students on financing renewable energy. She has on the ground experience with the public, non-profit and private sectors and has developed and implemented multi-country EU projects. Ms. Makinson is fluent in several languages and has worked at the European, World and Latin American Secretariats of ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) and the Canopus Foundation in Freiburg. As a sustainability consultant, she now works with clients such as BASE (The Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy) and the United Nations Environmental Program in Paris. One of the most influential mentors at the start of her professional career was a former IES Abroad Student. Ms. Makinson graduated from the University of Ottawa (B.S.Sc.) and holds an advanced degree from the University of Waterloo (Masters in Applied Environmental Studies). She has been teaching policy-related courses at IES EU since Autumn 2011 and also teaches on the topic of renewable energy and climate for the IES Freiburg program.