Designing Climate-Neutral Industry and Electricity Generation from edX

This course is designed for the next generation of policy-makers, sustainability consultants or professionals and students from various fields who want an overview of climate change mitigation strategies in industry and electricity generation and apply them to their own projects.

This course covers a wide variety of topics in the industry and electricity generation domains, from the current situation to the challenging mission of becoming climate-neutral. Specifically:

Industry - You will learn about types and sources of industrial emissions. You will also learn about the existing technological options, methodologies and tools to mitigate emissions (mainly GHG) inside and outside the boundaries of the industrial plant.
Electricity generation - you will learn what the options are for climate-neutral electricity and review the strategies for dealing with the variability of renewable energy, as well as how energy system modeling is used to devise plans and policies for the energy transition.

The course includes videos, examples, interviews with experts, exercises and quizzes so that you can master and practice what you have learnt and explore mitigation strategies through real life examples. Enriched by relevant readings and discussion forums, this course will let you dive deeper into specific areas of interest you might have and further facilitate your learning experience.

Course material and exercises will be complemented by relevant content about policy, through which you will also discover current measures taken by governments world-wide.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Review the industrial sources of emissions and existing technological options to mitigate them.
Identify available methods and tools used to evaluate and deploy specific measures to mitigate emissions in the industrial sector beyond the boundaries of a single company.

Describe how the electricity system works and assess the resource potential, costs, and variability of different renewable generation options.
Explain the three main ways to deal with renewable generation variability and interpret energy system modelling results in order to quantify their trade-offs.

Review the industrial sources of emissions and existing technological options to mitigate them.
Identify available methods and tools used to evaluate and deploy specific measures to mitigate emissions in the industrial sector beyond the boundaries of a single company.
Describe how the electricity system works and assess the resource potential, costs, and variability of different renewable generation options.
Explain the three main ways to deal with renewable generation variability and interpret energy system modelling results in order to quantify their trade-offs.

Syllabus

The course is organized across four units:

1. Industrial sector contribution to GHG emissions and mitigation measures

In the first week of the course, you will examine the role of industry as source of emissions. You will discuss the metrics and indicators that can be used to monitor GHG emissions, and will come to understand the role of different mitigation options inside the boundaries of the industrial plant.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches how to assess the resource potential, costs, and variability of different renewable generation options

Develops skills in identifying and deploying specific measures to mitigate emissions in the industrial sector

Develops skills in evaluating and deploying specific measures to mitigate emissions in the industrial sector

Taught by Mar Pérez-Fortes, Stefan Pfenninger, Paola Ibarra-Gonzalez, Brendon De Raad, Gijsbert Korevaar, Jannis Langer, Francesco Lombardi, and Samantha Eleanor Tanzer, who are recognized for their work in climate change mitigation and energy transition

Examines the role of energy system models in quantifying the trade-offs between different options and guiding policy and planning

Reviews summary

Comprehensive guide to climate-neutral systems

According to learners, this course is a comprehensive and highly relevant guide to designing climate-neutral industry and electricity generation. Students particularly praise the well-structured content that effectively balances technical aspects with policy implications. The inclusion of expert interviews and diverse learning materials, including readings and exercises, is consistently highlighted as positive. While it offers a broad overview of mitigation strategies and provides practical tools for application, some learners suggest that certain advanced topics could benefit from more in-depth coverage, making it an excellent foundation for a wide audience.

Teaches methodologies and tools directly applicable to real-world projects.

"The methodologies and tools for emissions mitigation were practical and directly applicable to a project I'm working on."

"I gained a solid understanding of how energy system modeling is used to devise plans and policies, which is directly relevant to my career."

"This course provided me with concrete strategies and frameworks that I could immediately apply in my professional work."

Features valuable interviews with experts and diverse learning materials.

"The interviews with experts were a definite highlight, bringing real-world perspectives to the theoretical concepts presented in the course."

"Lectures were clear and structured, and the videos were well-produced, making complex topics easier to grasp."

"The readings provided excellent opportunities to dive deeper into areas of interest, greatly enriching my learning experience."

Explores a wide array of topics in climate-neutral design.

"This course offers an incredibly comprehensive look at climate-neutrality across industry and electricity, covering essential ground."

"I appreciate the breadth of topics, from industrial emissions to renewable variability. It ties together many critical concepts for the energy transition."

"The course material is highly relevant to current climate challenges, providing a great overview for anyone serious about this field."

Benefits learners with some prior understanding of scientific or engineering concepts.

"As someone new to energy systems, I found some concepts challenging initially, requiring extra effort to fully grasp."

"Prior knowledge in engineering or science would certainly help to navigate some of the more technical modules effortlessly."

"With my policy background, certain technical parts felt dense at times, though the course did provide a good foundation."

Covers many topics, providing breadth rather than deep specialization.

"It's a fantastic introduction to the field, but I felt some sections were too introductory and wished for more in-depth technical analysis."

"The course covers a lot of ground, which is great for a general overview, but don't expect to become an expert in any single technology."

"While comprehensive, I found it served more as a broad survey rather than a deep dive into specific climate-neutral solutions."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Designing Climate-Neutral Industry and Electricity Generation with these activities:

Review: 'Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Engineering'

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of industrial ecology principles and their application in sustainable engineering practices.

View Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Engineering on Amazon

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Read chapters 1-5 of the book.
Summarize the key concepts of industrial ecology.

Renewable Energy Variability Discussion

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Engage with peers to discuss the challenges and solutions related to the variability of renewable energy sources.

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Prepare by reading the course materials on renewable energy variability.
Join a peer discussion group and share insights on different strategies for managing variability.

Life Cycle Assessment Presentation

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Deepen understanding of life cycle assessment methodology by creating a presentation that evaluates the environmental impacts of a specific industrial process.

Browse courses on Life Cycle Assessment

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Select an industrial process to analyze.
Collect data on the process's inputs, outputs, and environmental impacts.
Use LCA software to model the process and calculate its environmental footprint.
Develop a presentation to communicate the results of the LCA.

Three other activities

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Energy Efficiency Audit Assistance

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Gain practical experience in assessing energy efficiency measures by volunteering with an organization that conducts energy audits.

Browse courses on Energy Efficiency

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Identify a local organization that offers energy audit assistance.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Participate in energy audits and assist with data collection and analysis.

Energy System Modeling Tutorial

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Develop proficiency in using energy system models to analyze trade-offs between different climate mitigation options.

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Identify an open-source energy system modeling platform.
Follow a tutorial on the platform's modeling capabilities.
Apply the model to a specific case study and analyze the results.

Climate Mitigation Strategy Proposal

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Apply knowledge of climate mitigation strategies to develop a comprehensive proposal for reducing emissions in a specific industry.

Browse courses on Climate Mitigation

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Identify a target industry for the climate mitigation strategy.
Research and evaluate existing climate mitigation technologies and practices.
Develop a detailed implementation plan for the proposed strategy.
Create a proposal document outlining the strategy, its benefits, and its costs.

Career center

Learners who complete Designing Climate-Neutral Industry and Electricity Generation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Industrial Ecologist

This course will introduce you to the field of industrial ecology, which is the study of the environmental impact of industrial systems. This course will help you develop strategies to reduce the environmental impact of industrial activities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Ecologist

Climate Change Policy Analyst

This course provides an overview of climate change mitigation strategies in industry and electricity generation. This course will help you understand the complex issues surrounding climate change and develop and implement policies to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Policy Analyst

Energy Analyst

This course will teach you the fundamentals of energy analysis, which is the study of how energy is produced, distributed, and used. This course will provide you with the skills to analyze energy systems and develop plans to improve their efficiency and sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Analyst

Sustainability Manager

This course will provide you with the skills to develop and implement sustainability programs for businesses and organizations. This course will cover topics such as climate change mitigation, energy efficiency, and waste reduction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Environmental Consultant

This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues and regulations. This course will help you assess and mitigate environmental impacts of industrial and energy projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Sustainability Consultant

This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles and practices. This course will help you develop and implement sustainability strategies for businesses and organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Renewable Energy Engineer

This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, and hydro power. This course will help you design and implement renewable energy systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Engineer

Utility Engineer

This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the electric power industry. This course will help you operate and maintain electric power systems and develop plans to meet future energy needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Utility Engineer

Carbon Capture and Sequestration Specialist

This course is a great introduction to the field of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), which is a process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial and power plant emissions and storing it underground to prevent it from entering the atmosphere. This course will significantly reduce CO2 emissions from industrial plants by gaining knowledge of CCS technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Carbon Capture and Sequestration Specialist

Energy Efficiency Consultant

This course will teach you the principles of energy efficiency, which is the practice of using less energy to perform the same task. This course will help you qualify to help businesses and organizations reduce their energy consumption and costs.

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Systems Engineer

This course will teach you the fundamentals of systems engineering, which is the process of designing and managing complex systems. This course will provide you with the skills to design and implement sustainable industrial and energy systems.

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Chemical Engineer

This course will teach you the fundamentals of chemical engineering, which is the application of science and technology to the design, development, and operation of chemical plants. This course will help you qualify to design and operate industrial plants that produce chemicals, fuels, and other products in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

Wind Turbine Technician

This course may be helpful for Wind Turbine Technicians as it covers topics such as climate-neutral electricity and managing renewable variability.

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Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

This course may be helpful for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators as it covers topics such as industrial sources of emissions and mitigation measures, and system thinking in the industrial sector.

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Water Resources Engineer

This course may be helpful for Water Resources Engineers as it covers topics such as climate-neutral electricity and managing renewable variability.

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