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Fall 2020

Course Syllabus

China is planning provincial quotas for clean energy ...

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Semester & Location:

Fall 2020 - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines: Sustainability, Environmental Studies, International Relations
Faculty Members:

Carlos García-Robles - carlos.robles@dis.dk

Program Director:

Neringa Vendelbo - nb@dis.dk 

Time & Place:

Tuesday and Friday 8:30-10:00 AM

V23, 3rd floor

Classroom 301

 

Description of Course

Renewable Energy Systems with a planning perspective

This course is recommended for students interested on socio-technological interactions and how a renewable energy system can be planned integrating the technical, social, geopolitical, environmental, and economic perspectives. It is not necessary to have a technical background, as it is a planning course not an engineering course but the technical sections of the course could be challenging for some students.  

Current environmental issues, climate change, global social injustice, and the impacts of these on ecosystems and societies have led us to radically rethink our current energy systems. It is necessary for us to understand how humanity became so dependent upon fossil fuels, and it is even more important for us to understand what other alternative energies exist.

The current energy system based on fossil fuels is one on the most impacting human activity on the climate,  the urgency to change it to a renewable energy system is overdue.  A radical change in how we think about energy and energy planning is one of the steps needed towards designing an energy system for the 21st century..

This class will focus on the Danish and Northern European energy experience by exploring different renewable energy technologies (wind, solar, biofuel, etc.) and the strengths and weaknesses of different policy options, the role of governments, civil society participation and business.

This class will examine the technical, economic, and political aspects of renewable energy, and students will learn about the successes and failures of implementing alternative energies at the local, national, and regional levels. It will also examine the planning process of renewable energy, integrating systems thinking with an interdisciplinary approach, taking into consideration that fifty percent of this course will focus on the technology through a planning lens rather than a pure engineering or technical perspective.

 

Learning Objectives of the Course 

By the end of this course you will be able to

  • To understand and explain the basics of energy systems

  • To analyze the complexities of the technological shift towards renewable energy systems

  • To create a critical perspective towards the analysis of energy systems

  • To develop a basis for the comprehension and analysis of energy plans

  • To form a working understanding of the available renewable energy alternatives

  • To evaluate the complexities of the implementation of renewable energy systems

  • To conduct a discourse analysis of the different stakeholders involved in energy politics

  • To carry out a policy analysis of energy systems

Faculty

Carlos García-Robles, Cand.techn.soc. (Technological & Socio-Economic Planning, Roskilde University, 2009). B.A. (International Relations; International Environmental Regimes and National Security, National Autonomous University of Mexico, 2004). Represented Mexican NGOs during WSSD process, 2002. Member of the Energy and Climate Group, Project coordinator for Friends of the Earth Denmark for COP15 process. With DIS since 2011.

Readings

You have two books to be picked up in arrivals week (see below). The rest is on Canvas.

  • Boyle, Godfrey, Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future. Oxford.- to be picked up  during arrivals week

  • Lund, Henrik (2018 edition) Renewable Energy Systems: The Choice and Modeling of 100% Renewable Solutions. Elsevier.- to be picked up from the library during arrivals week

  • Scheer, Hermann. 2nd edition (2005). A Solar Manifesto. Routledge.

  • Sheer, Hermann. The Solar Economy (1 September 2002) Earthscan / James & James.

  • Shaffer, Brenda. Energy Politics. 10 February 2011Univ of Pennsylvania Pr.

  • International Energy Agency World Energy Outlook 2018/19.

Final project

You will find the final project instructions and rubric on the Assignments section.

Field Studies

  • Lynetten Wind Cooperative: We will climb a wind turbine and get to know the components and how it works in the field.

Approach to Teaching

The course is taught as a mixture of lectures and discussions. Also, guest speakers and field studies are important parts of the learning process. The course heavily emphasizes your own engagement and active participation. Much of the learning in this course is dependent on how much effort you put into your own explorations and research, not least in connection with the different types of assignments.

Power points are not shared by the instructor. 

Expectations of the Students

  • Active and voluntary participation in class discussions

  • Having prepared properly for every class, i.e. doing all the required reading and research

  • Being able to address the readings critically during class, thus displaying a good understanding of the subject matter

  • Being analytical and concise in oral interventions, i.e. backing up arguments by facts and references rather than “feeling this or that” – Please note that monopolizing the floor with fluffy, unstructured and redundant monologues will NOT be seen as a positive contribution.

 

Evaluation

 

Mind map test

 

25%

Final project

35%

Participation

 

25%

Hermann Sheer Essay

 

15%

 

 

Academic Regulations

Use of computers, iPhones, cell phones etc. in class: No laptops or smartphones are allowed in class. Use of devices will affect your participation grade negatively.

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

Schedule is subject to change if necessary with as much notice as possible.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due