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Richard Hoggett, Calum H-S, and Iain Soutar

Energy System Transformation: changes, challenges and governance Emerging Energy Systems People, Scale and Society Energy governance change for rapid decarbonisation Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for those with an existing knowledge or interest in energy systems and energy system change. This includes energy practitioners, policymakers, regulators, researchers and students in the field.

Topics Covered

Read more

Energy System Transformation: changes, challenges and governance Emerging Energy Systems People, Scale and Society Energy governance change for rapid decarbonisation Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for those with an existing knowledge or interest in energy systems and energy system change. This includes energy practitioners, policymakers, regulators, researchers and students in the field.

Topics Covered

  • What energy systems are for and how they work
  • Links between energy systems, climate change, air pollution and equity
  • Exploring energy system change through a 4D approach (decarbonisation, decentralisation, digitisation and democratisation)
  • The role of energy governance in system transformation
  • How are the characteristics and operation of energy systems changing
  • What does a smart and flexible future look like
  • Changing value flows and new business models within energy systems
  • What does the energy transformation mean for current institutions?
  • How is the role of people within energy systems changing?
  • What is meaningful consent and why is it so important?
  • What is local energy, why is it growing in importance and what are the implications of this?
  • How can we best coordinate change across multiple levels of the energy system?
  • How to co-ordinate the governance of electricity, heat and transport
  • The importance of a people-focused energy system, and how to get it
  • Examples of good energy governance from other countries
  • A fit-for purpose energy governance framework for energy system transformation

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Reviews summary

Governance in energy system transformation

According to students, this course offers a comprehensive and timely overview of how governance matters in energy system transformation. It is highlighted as particularly relevant for professionals and researchers, delving into topics like decarbonization, decentralization, digitalization, and democratisation. The content effectively bridges theoretical concepts with real-world implications for policy and practice. While providing a strong framework for understanding complex energy system changes, it is geared towards those with existing knowledge in the field, making it less suitable for absolute beginners. The course effectively explains new business models and institutional shifts, presenting a vital perspective on the future of energy.
Explores strategic and policy dimensions rather than technical details.
"I appreciate the strategic overview, though I was hoping for more technical depth."
"The course provides a strong conceptual foundation, less on practical implementation."
"If you're seeking a broad understanding of governance, this is excellent, but not for engineering specifics."
Best suited for learners with existing understanding of energy systems.
"Came into this with some background, and it felt perfectly pitched for my level."
"Newcomers might find some concepts challenging without prior energy sector exposure."
"It builds on existing understanding rather than starting from scratch, which was good for me."
Addresses contemporary issues like decarbonisation and new energy models.
"The discussions on local energy and new business models felt very current and relevant."
"It's great to see a course covering the cutting-edge of energy transformation."
"The content on digital innovation and value flows was particularly insightful and timely."
Highly relevant for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in energy.
"As an energy practitioner, I found the insights directly applicable to my work."
"This course is a must for anyone involved in energy policy and regulation."
"It broadened my perspective on the societal and institutional aspects of energy systems."
Provides a thorough understanding of energy governance in transformation.
"I found the 4D approach to be incredibly insightful for understanding system change."
"The course perfectly articulated why governance is central to successful energy transitions."
"It offered a comprehensive framework for analyzing the complexities of energy policy and change."

Career center

Learners who complete Transforming Energy Systems: Why Governance Matters will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Transforming Energy Systems: Why Governance Matters.
Is foundational for understanding systemic inequality in the United States, particularly within the criminal justice system. It argues that mass incarceration functions as a contemporary system of racial control, offering crucial historical and sociological context for discussions of equity. This book is widely cited and considered essential reading in social justice and equity studies.
This comprehensive and rigorous textbook covering atmospheric chemistry and physics, with a strong focus on air pollution and its link to climate change. It delves into advanced topics such as atmospheric chemistry, aerosols, and atmospheric modeling. is highly valuable for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers. It is considered a definitive reference in the field and is widely used in academic settings.
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Wilkerson examines the concept of caste systems and draws parallels between the caste system in India, the history of race in the United States, and the Nazi regime in Germany. offers a powerful reframing of American social hierarchy through the lens of caste, providing a deeper understanding of systemic inequality.
This report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides a comprehensive assessment of the scientific literature on climate change mitigation. It is an authoritative source for in-depth understanding of the state of knowledge on decarbonization pathways and strategies. It is particularly useful for researchers and advanced students.
Stevenson, a lawyer and social justice advocate, recounts his experiences defending marginalized clients facing the death penalty. The book highlights systemic injustices and the fight for equity within the legal system. It offers powerful real-world examples of the consequences of inequity.
This comprehensive collection outlines 100 tangible solutions for addressing climate change and achieving 'drawdown,' the point where greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere begin to decline. It's a valuable resource for understanding the breadth of potential actions and their potential impact, offering both a broad understanding and deeper insights into specific areas.
Kendi provides a personal and historical framework for understanding and actively opposing racism. The book distinguishes between not being racist and being antiracist, offering a dynamic approach to achieving equity. It highly popular and influential recent work in the field of antiracism and DEI.
Rothstein details how government policies at the federal, state, and local levels created and maintained racial segregation in housing. is essential for understanding the historical roots of contemporary wealth and opportunity gaps, directly relevant to achieving equity.
McGhee explores how racism has distorted American policy and economic outcomes, not just for people of color, but for everyone. offers a compelling economic argument for racial equity and solidarity, highlighting the costs of inequality to the entire society.
This foundational collection of essays that define Critical Race Theory (CRT), an academic framework examining how race and racism have shaped legal systems and societal structures. It is crucial for a deep understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of racial inequity.
This comprehensive book covers the chemistry of both the troposphere and the stratosphere. It provides a detailed treatment of atmospheric chemical processes, experimental techniques, and applications to air pollution issues like smog and acid rain. It valuable reference for researchers and graduate students in atmospheric chemistry and related fields.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the use of digital technologies for cultural heritage preservation, access, and education.
Argues that we need to rapidly transition to a low-carbon economy to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Offers a quantitative approach to understanding energy consumption and sustainable energy options. It's excellent for gaining a broad understanding by providing a data-driven perspective on the scale of energy challenges and potential solutions. It is considered a must-read in the field.
Offers a comprehensive overview of air quality, covering atmospheric chemistry, health and environmental effects, and regulatory practices. It well-regarded textbook suitable for both science and non-science majors, providing a strong foundation in the subject. The latest edition includes updated information on monitoring, legislation, and the effects of air pollution on climate change. It useful reference tool and is commonly used as a textbook in environmental science and engineering programs.
Explores the business and economic transformations required for deep decarbonization by 2050. It offers insights into the strategies and innovations needed across various sectors, making it highly relevant for business professionals and students interested in the economic aspects of decarbonization.
This practical guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to digitize collections, from planning and budgeting to selecting equipment and software to preserving and providing access to digital objects.
Anderson explores the history of policies and actions that have systematically suppressed African American advancement following periods of progress. provides crucial historical context for understanding the persistent resistance to racial equity.
Provides a practical guide to designing and implementing effective climate policies for decarbonization. It is highly relevant for policymakers, researchers, and students interested in the practical aspects of achieving a low-carbon energy system. It serves as a useful reference tool for policy design.
Takes a design-oriented approach to air pollution control, focusing on the engineering principles and calculations involved in designing control systems. It widely used textbook in environmental engineering programs and is essential for students and professionals working on designing and implementing air pollution control measures.
Focuses on the engineering aspects of air pollution control, covering the theory and practice of various control devices. It is accessible to students from different engineering disciplines with a basic chemistry background. It also includes discussions on atmospheric models and air pollution regulations, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the practical solutions to air pollution.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of various energy systems, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables, from an engineering perspective. It's highly relevant for deepening understanding and is often used as a textbook in academic settings. The latest edition includes updated technologies and data.
Delves into the organized efforts to obstruct climate action and spread disinformation. It is crucial for understanding the political and social challenges to decarbonization and provides contemporary context on the forces opposing progress. It offers a deeper understanding of the complexities beyond technological solutions.
This recent book explores the changing landscape of energy, the impact of climate change, and the geopolitical implications. It is highly relevant to contemporary topics in energy systems and provides a broad understanding of the forces shaping the energy future.
Piketty's extensive research on wealth and income inequality across centuries provides a monumental historical and economic analysis of how inequality is generated and perpetuated. This crucial, albeit challenging, read for understanding the economic dimensions of equity.
Explores the defensive reactions white people often have when discussing race and how these reactions perpetuate racial inequality. It is particularly useful for individuals seeking to understand their own potential biases and improve their engagement in conversations about equity and racism.
Focuses on renewable energy systems with a smart energy systems approach, crucial for understanding the integration of renewables into the grid. The third edition is recent and highly relevant to contemporary energy topics. It valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and graduate students.
Presents compelling data demonstrating the negative societal impacts of high levels of income inequality, arguing that more equal societies fare better on a range of social indicators. It provides a strong evidence-based argument for the importance of equity.
Dieter Helm offers a measured and rational analysis of the transition to a net-zero economy, examining why past efforts have fallen short and what is needed for future success. is valuable for gaining a deeper understanding of the economic and policy dimensions of decarbonization and is relevant for both academic and professional audiences.
Exposes the pervasive gender bias in data collection and how this leads to a world designed primarily for men, often disadvantaging women. It highlights a crucial, often overlooked, aspect of inequality and the need for equity in data and design.
Specifically addresses energy storage within the context of power systems, covering various storage technologies and their applications in the grid. It's a good resource for deepening understanding of this critical area of energy systems.
Brown offers a framework and practical guidance for leaders seeking to create more inclusive workplaces. The book emphasizes the importance of belonging as a key component of successful diversity and inclusion initiatives, directly contributing to a more equitable environment.
Offers a critical historical perspective on the relationship between fossil fuels, political power, and the development of democracy. It provides a deeper, more critical understanding of the political and economic structures that underpin our current energy system and the challenges to decarbonization. It is particularly relevant for graduate-level study and researchers.
A follow-up to 'The Prize,' this book provides a broad understanding of the modern energy landscape, encompassing security, climate change, and the transition to new energy sources. It offers valuable context on the geopolitical and economic aspects of energy systems.
Offers an introduction to the operationalization, integration, and management of smart grids. It covers design, technologies, and operations, making it a good resource for early career researchers and those seeking to understand this contemporary area of energy systems.
A Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, this book provides a deep historical dive into the oil industry and its impact on global politics and economics. While focused on fossil fuels, it offers crucial historical context for understanding the evolution of global energy systems and must-read classic.
Focuses on the communication and intelligence aspects of smart grids. It's valuable for understanding the technological backbone enabling the modernization of energy systems and is highly relevant to contemporary discussions on grid technology.
Presents a venture capitalist's perspective on the technologies and investments needed to rapidly decarbonize the global economy. It offers a contemporary view on the innovation and scaling required for effective climate action, particularly relevant for those interested in the role of technology and business.
Focuses on the practical aspects of designing and constructing net-zero energy buildings. It is highly relevant for understanding the application of decarbonization principles in the built environment and valuable resource for architects, engineers, builders, and homeowners.
This handbook serves as a comprehensive reference for air pollution prevention and control technologies and strategies. It covers a wide range of topics, including pollution sources, control methods for various industries, and regulatory frameworks. It practical guide for engineers, environmental consultants, and professionals involved in air quality management.
Provides a detailed treatment of atmospheric chemistry, covering the chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere. It foundational text for students and researchers in atmospheric chemistry and provides the necessary chemical background for understanding the formation and fate of air pollutants.
Harts provides practical advice and insights for women of color navigating the workplace, addressing issues of race, gender, and equity in professional settings. is particularly relevant for understanding and addressing inequities in the corporate world.
Focuses on the technical challenges and solutions for integrating renewable energy sources into existing power grids. It is highly relevant to contemporary issues in energy systems and is valuable for those looking to deepen their technical understanding of grid integration.
Delves into the concept of implicit bias and how unconscious attitudes can affect our understanding and interactions with others. Recognizing and addressing hidden biases key component of fostering equitable environments.

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