Renewable Energy from Beginner to Expert Taught by Scientist from Udemy

This course is for everyone who wants to learn how renewable energy technologies work in detail.It is THE complete course containing all relevant topics like Solar energy (Photovoltaics), Wind energy, Hydro & Marine energy, Geothermal energy, Bio energy, Nuclear fusion energy, Heat pumps and Energy storages such as Hydrogen.

Since fossil fuels are limited on earth and their CO2 emission causes global warming and climate change, we need to transition towards a sustainable energy generation. You will learn about the corresponding science in this comprehensive 10-hour course. I have created it for everyone who is interested in a sustainable and green future. I am sure, you will learn a lot - no matter if you are completely new to the topic or if you are an advanced science student.

You are kindly invited to join this carefully prepared course in which we use the laws of physics, chemistry and biology to understand the following concepts in detail. I will present many examples and give you quizzes and exercises (incl. solutions) for all topics. Also you can download all my slides.

Introduction & Basics about energy (1.5 hours)

What is energy? What types of energy exist?
Renewable energy: Why do we need to change? Perspectives and challenges.

Renewable energy technologies used today (6 hours)

Solar energy: Photovoltaics
Wind, hydro and marine energy
Geothermal energy & Heat pumps
Bioenergy & Hydrogen

Future technologies (2.5 hours)

Nuclear fusion power
Energy storages

In the more than 100 lectures, exercises and quizzes we will answer important questions:

- Why do we only need to use 0.01% of the sun's energy that arrives at the earth?- How many wind turbines do we need to satisfy the global energy demand? - What size must a single solar park have to satisfy the global energy demand?- Why are solar cells made out of silicon and why is an efficiency of 33% considered 'excellent'?- How much energy can we harvest from inside our earth?- How can it be that a nuclear fusion of 1 gram hydrogen generates the same energy as burning several tons of coal?The list goes on.

Why me?

My name is Börge Göbel and I am a postdoc working as a scientist in theoretical physics. I have refined my advisor skills as a tutor of Bachelor, Master and PhD students in theoretical physics and have other successful courses here on Udemy.

In my research projects I simulate magnetic systems that may eventually lead to more efficient data storage devices which allow us to save energy - However, wouldn't it be even nicer if we had more than enough energy? Find out how. ;-)

I hope you are excited and I kindly welcome you to our course.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand how the different renewable energy technologies work
Solar energy (photovoltaics), wind, hydro and water power, geothermal energy, bioenergy & biofuels
Do calculations: how efficient are the different forms of renewable energy?
Outlook into the future: nuclear fusion energy & energy storage technologies
The basics: energy as a quantity in physics, chemistry and biology

For yourself: how can you use solar panels and heat pumps to save money and achieve a sustainable future
Global picture: determine what we need to satisfy our global energy demand
See the bigger picture: all our energy comes from nuclear fusion in the sun. we only need to use a tiny fraction - 0.01% that arrives at earth is sufficient
Understand carbon recycling and see that biofuels have effectively zero emissions

Understand how the different renewable energy technologies work
Solar energy (photovoltaics), wind, hydro and water power, geothermal energy, bioenergy & biofuels
Do calculations: how efficient are the different forms of renewable energy?
Outlook into the future: nuclear fusion energy & energy storage technologies
The basics: energy as a quantity in physics, chemistry and biology
For yourself: how can you use solar panels and heat pumps to save money and achieve a sustainable future
Global picture: determine what we need to satisfy our global energy demand
See the bigger picture: all our energy comes from nuclear fusion in the sun. we only need to use a tiny fraction - 0.01% that arrives at earth is sufficient
Understand carbon recycling and see that biofuels have effectively zero emissions

Syllabus

Introduction & Basics about energy

Overview of this course

What is energy? What is power?

Different forms of energy

Where does energy come from?

Let's see what you remember & Apply the new knowledge

Test your knowledge about energy!

[Optional Exercise] Basics about energy

[Solution] Basics about energy: Unit conversion

[Solution] Basics about energy: Cost efficiency - Gas versus electric heating

[Solution] Basics about energy: Energy conservation & The pendulum

Slides of this section

[Optional] Renewable energy: Review & Perspectives

Section intro

About this optional section

Energy consumption & Limited fossil resources

CO2 emissions, global warming & Climate change

History and rise of renewable energy technologies

Challenges of using renewable energy instead of fossil energy

Challenge: Rare materials

Challenge: Energy storage

Test your knowledge about renewable energy!

Section outro

Photovoltaics (PV) - Solar energy

Overview: Solar energy

What exactly is light?

Photoelectric effect

Test your knowledge about the physics of light!

[Exercise] Estimate the power of PV systems. Calculate the money saved.

[Solution] Estimate the power of PV systems. Calculate the money saved.

Band structure of semiconductors

Doping of a semiconductor & P-n junction

Solar cells

Test your knowledge about the physics of solar cells!

Band gap determining the figure of merit of a solar cell

Shockley-Queisser limit of solar cells' efficiency

Alternative geometries of solar cells

Test your knowledge about the efficiency of solar cells!

Wind, Hydro & Marine power

Overview: Wind power

Wind caused by heat gradients

Kinetic energy of wind

Test your knowledge about the physics of wind energy!

Transformation to electrical energy

Efficiency limit of a wind turbine (Betz's law)

Expected power output of wind turbines

Dealing with fluctuations in the wind power output

Test your knowledge about wind power!

Hydropower & Potential energy storage

Marine power: Wave, ocean thermal and tidal energy

Test your knowledge about hydro power!

[Exercise] Compare generated energy: Wind, tidal & hydroelectric power

[Solution] Compare generated energy: Wind, tidal & hydroelectric power

Geothermal energy & Heat pumps

Section intro: Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy stored in our earth

Origin of the geothermal energy

Why uranium and thorium? Binding energy and mass defect

Radioactive decay causing geothermal heat

Test your knowledge about radioactive decay causing geothermal heat!

[Exercise] Geothermal energy: Decay of thorium

[Solution] Geothermal energy: Decay of thorium

Geothermal power

Geothermal heat pump

Section intro: Heat pump

Electric heating

Laws of thermodynamics

Thermodynamic processes of an ideal gas

Thermodynamic cycles: Engine versus heat pump

Efficiency of a heat pump

[Exercise] Heat pump

[Solution] Heat pump

Test your knowledge about heat pumps!

From fossil fuels to regenerative resources: Bioenergy & Hydrogen

Section intro: Bioenergy

Photosynthesis

Fossil fuels: How were they generated? Why are they problematic for the climate?

Biogas

Traditional biomass: Woods and pellets

Biofuel

Test your knowledge about bio energy!

Section intro: Hydrogen

[Exercise] Hydrogen as fuel: Combustion

[Solution] Compare energy of hydrogen & methane

Hydrogen as fuel: Fuel cell

Hydrogen generation

Green hydrogen from electrolysis: Water splitting

Test your knowledge about hydrogen!

Outlook into the future: Nuclear fusion energy

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

A complete and comprehensive study of renewable energy sources

Taught by Dr. Börge Göbel, a postdoc working as a scientist in theoretical physics

Covers all relevant topics in renewable energy, including solar energy, wind energy, hydro & marine energy, geothermal energy, bio energy, nuclear fusion energy, heat pumps, and energy storages such as Hydrogen

Suitable for everyone who wants to learn how renewable energy technologies work

Includes quizzes and exercises (incl. solutions) for all topics

Students can download all slides

Career center

Learners who complete Renewable Energy from Beginner to Expert Taught by Scientist will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Wind Turbine Technician

As a Wind Turbine Technician, you would be responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of wind turbines. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the technology behind wind turbines and how to work on them safely and efficiently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wind Turbine Technician

Solar Panel Installer

As a Solar Panel Installer, you would work on the front lines of renewable energy. You would be involved in the planning, installation, and maintenance of solar panels, from small-scale residential systems to large-scale commercial projects. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the technology behind solar panels and how to install them safely and efficiently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solar Panel Installer

Environmental Engineer

As an Environmental Engineer, you would be responsible for developing strategies that protect the natural world from pollution, deforestation, and climate change. This course on renewable energy will introduce you to the subject and help you get the knowledge you need to protect the environment and use resources wisely.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Sustainability Manager

As a Sustainability Manager, you would be responsible for developing and implementing sustainability initiatives for your organization. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the environmental impact of different types of energy production and how to reduce your organization's carbon footprint.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Energy Consultant

As an Energy Consultant, you would help businesses and individuals reduce their energy consumption and costs. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the different types of renewable energy technologies and how to apply them to specific projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Consultant

Mechanical Engineer

As a Mechanical Engineer, you would be involved in the design, construction, and operation of mechanical systems, including those used in renewable energy technologies. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the basics of renewable energy and how to apply them to the design of mechanical systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Electrical Engineer

As an Electrical Engineer, you would be involved in the design, construction, and operation of electrical systems, including those used in renewable energy technologies. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the basics of renewable energy and how to apply them to the design of electrical systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Nuclear Engineer

As a Nuclear Engineer, you would be involved in the design, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the basics of nuclear energy and how to work on nuclear power plants safely and efficiently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nuclear Engineer

Chemical Engineer

As a Chemical Engineer, you would be involved in the design, construction, and operation of chemical processes, including those used in renewable energy technologies. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the basics of renewable energy and how to apply them to the design of chemical processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

Civil Engineer

As a Civil Engineer, you would be involved in the design, construction, and operation of civil infrastructure, including that used in renewable energy projects. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the basics of renewable energy and how to apply them to the design of civil infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Oceanographer

As an Oceanographer, you would be involved in the study of the oceans, including those related to marine energy. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the basics of marine energy and how to develop and manage marine energy resources.

See salaries and explore the career path for Oceanographer

Geologist

As a Geologist, you would be involved in the study of the Earth's materials and processes, including those related to geothermal energy. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the basics of geothermal energy and how to explore for and develop geothermal resources.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geologist

Hydrologist

As a Hydrologist, you would be involved in the study of water resources, including those related to hydropower. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the basics of hydropower and how to develop and manage hydropower resources.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hydrologist

Climatologist

As a Climatologist, you would be involved in the study of climate, including those related to renewable energy. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the basics of renewable energy and how it can be used to mitigate climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climatologist

Meteorologist

As a Meteorologist, you would be involved in the study of the weather, including those related to renewable energy. This course would give you the knowledge you need to understand the basics of renewable energy and how it can be used to predict and forecast weather patterns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Meteorologist