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Arno Smets and Additional Instructors

A transition to sustainable energy is needed for our climate and welfare. In this engineering course, you will learn how to assess the potential for energy reduction and the potential of renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass. You’ll learn how to integrate these sources in an energy system, like an electricity network and take an engineering approach to look for solutions and design a 100% sustainable energy system.

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A transition to sustainable energy is needed for our climate and welfare. In this engineering course, you will learn how to assess the potential for energy reduction and the potential of renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass. You’ll learn how to integrate these sources in an energy system, like an electricity network and take an engineering approach to look for solutions and design a 100% sustainable energy system.

This course is an introduction to the Master Programme Sustainable Energy Technology at TU Delft and is aimed at Bachelor students from science and engineering disciplines.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Assess energy use and the potential for energy reduction for transport, industry and buildings
  • Calculate the potential attribution of different sources of renewable energy like wind, solar and biomass and how to integrate them in an energy system
  • Design a plan for a 100% sustainable energy system

Syllabus

Week 1: Definition of Energy UseThe use of energy in transport, building and manufacturing.
Week 2: Generation of Renewable EnergyHow much can you generate from all the different sources?
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Week 3: Energy BalancesHow can you analyse energy and what are the climate effects?
Week 4: Policies for Sustainable EnergyHow to stimulate the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency?
Week 5: Wind EnergyTechnologies to generate energy from wind
Week 6: Solar EnergyTechnologies to generate Energy with photovoltaic systems
Week 7: BiomassTechnologies to generate energy from biomass
Week 8: Electrical Power SystemHow to integrate renewable energy in de Electrical Power System
Week 9: StorageHow to store energy?

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines energy use in transportation, manufacturing, and buildings, which are crucial sectors for sustainability
Provides a comprehensive understanding of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass, empowering learners to contribute to clean energy solutions
Develops foundational knowledge and practical skills in energy analysis and the integration of renewable energy in electrical power systems, preparing learners for careers in sustainable energy
Taught by experts from TU Delft, a renowned institution in sustainable energy technology, providing learners with access to cutting-edge knowledge and research
Part of the Master Programme Sustainable Energy Technology at TU Delft, demonstrating its alignment with advanced academic programs in the field
Requires a background in science and engineering disciplines, limiting accessibility for learners without prior knowledge in these areas

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Reviews summary

Sustainable energy course

Learners say this highly informative course has engaging assignments and is a good value.
Good value for the price.
In-depth material with engaging assignments.
"Highly informative and i am delighted to hear that you found our content to be helpful and informative!"

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 Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future with these activities:
Brush up on high school math
Review the basics of algebra, geometry, and calculus to ensure you have a strong foundation for the quantitative aspects of the course.
Browse courses on Algebra
Show steps
  • Review your high school math notes or textbook.
  • Take practice problems from each topic.
  • Identify areas where you need additional support and seek help.
Read "Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air"
Gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainable energy sources and the challenges of transitioning to a sustainable energy future.
Show steps
  • Read each chapter thoroughly.
  • Take notes on key concepts and ideas.
  • Consider how the concepts apply to the course material.
Solve energy balance problems
Practice applying energy balance principles to solve problems related to energy consumption and production.
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  • Identify the energy inputs and outputs of a system.
  • Apply the energy balance equation to calculate unknown variables.
  • Analyze the results and draw conclusions.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Join a study group with classmates
Collaborate with peers to discuss course material, solve problems, and support each other's learning.
Show steps
  • Form a study group with 2-4 classmates.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course content.
  • Work together to solve problems and assignments.
  • Provide feedback and support to each other.
Develop a presentation on a renewable energy technology
Deepen your understanding of a specific renewable energy technology by researching, presenting, and discussing its advantages, limitations, and applications.
Show steps
  • Choose a renewable energy technology to focus on.
  • Research the technology and gather relevant information.
  • Create a presentation that clearly explains the technology.
  • Practice your presentation and be prepared to answer questions.
Watch video tutorials on energy storage technologies
Gain a deeper understanding of energy storage technologies and their role in renewable energy systems.
Browse courses on Energy Storage
Show steps
  • Search for video tutorials on energy storage technologies.
  • Watch the tutorials and take notes.
  • Discuss the concepts with peers or the instructor.
Design a sustainable energy plan for a community
Apply the principles of sustainable energy to design a comprehensive plan for a community's energy needs.
Show steps
  • Research the community's energy consumption and needs.
  • Identify potential renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures.
  • Develop a plan that integrates these technologies and measures.
  • Present your plan to the community and stakeholders.

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Energy Engineer
An Energy Engineer optimizes energy systems to help organizations save energy and reduce carbon emissions. Energy Engineers would find the content of Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future to be very beneficial because it provides an introduction to assessing energy use, calculating the potential of renewable energy sources, and integrating them into the energy system. The course's focus on designing a plan for a 100% sustainable energy system is directly relevant to this field of work.
Renewable Energy Engineer
Renewable Energy Engineers design, develop, and maintain renewable energy systems. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future can provide helpful foundational knowledge for this role. Understanding how to assess energy use, calculate the potential of renewable energy sources, and integrate them into an energy system is essential in this field. This course covers those topics while focusing on designing a plan for a 100% sustainable energy system, making it particularly relevant to Renewable Energy Engineers.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants help organizations to improve their sustainability performance. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future can provide some foundational knowledge for this role, particularly in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Understanding the potential and integration of these energy sources can be helpful for Sustainability Consultants.
Energy Policy Analyst
Energy Policy Analysts research, develop, and evaluate energy policies. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future can provide some helpful foundational knowledge in this field. The course's focus on assessing energy use and the potential of renewable energy sources, as well as understanding the integration of these into the energy system, can be useful for Energy Policy Analysts.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers design, develop, and implement solutions to environmental problems, including those related to energy. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future can provide some helpful foundational knowledge in this field, particularly in the area of renewable energy. Understanding the potential and integration of these energy sources, as well as designing a plan for a 100% sustainable energy system, can be useful for Environmental Engineers.
Wind Turbine Technician
Wind Turbine Technicians install, maintain, and repair wind turbines. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future may provide some helpful foundational knowledge for this role, particularly in the area of wind energy technologies. Understanding how wind energy is generated and integrated into the energy system can be useful for Wind Turbine Technicians.
Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Solar Photovoltaic Installers design, install, and maintain solar photovoltaic systems. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future may provide some helpful foundational knowledge for this role, particularly in the area of solar energy technologies. Understanding how solar energy is generated and integrated into the energy system can be useful for Solar Photovoltaic Installers.
Biomass Energy Engineer
Biomass Energy Engineers design, develop, and maintain biomass energy systems. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future may provide some helpful foundational knowledge for this role, particularly in the area of biomass energy technologies. Understanding how biomass energy is generated and integrated into the energy system can be useful for Biomass Energy Engineers.
Power Systems Engineer
Power Systems Engineers design, develop, and maintain electrical power systems. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future may provide some helpful foundational knowledge for this role, particularly in the area of integrating renewable energy sources into the electrical power system. Understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with this integration can be useful for Power Systems Engineers.
Energy Storage Engineer
Energy Storage Engineers design, develop, and maintain energy storage systems. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future may provide some helpful foundational knowledge for this role, particularly in the area of energy storage technologies. Understanding the different types of energy storage technologies and their role in the energy system can be useful for Energy Storage Engineers.
Building Energy Analyst
Building Energy Analysts assess the energy use of buildings and recommend ways to improve energy efficiency. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future may provide some helpful foundational knowledge for this role, particularly in the area of energy use assessment and energy efficiency measures for buildings.
Transportation Energy Analyst
Transportation Energy Analysts assess the energy use of transportation systems and recommend ways to improve energy efficiency. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future may provide some helpful foundational knowledge for this role, particularly in the area of energy use assessment and energy efficiency measures for transportation.
Industrial Energy Analyst
Industrial Energy Analysts assess the energy use of industrial processes and recommend ways to improve energy efficiency. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future may provide some helpful foundational knowledge for this role, particularly in the area of energy use assessment and energy efficiency measures for industrial processes.
Energy Economist
Energy Economists analyze the economic aspects of energy production, distribution, and consumption. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future may provide some foundational knowledge for this role, particularly in the area of energy policies and their economic implications. Understanding the economic factors that influence the adoption of sustainable energy technologies can be useful for Energy Economists.
Energy Lawyer
Energy Lawyers specialize in the legal aspects of energy production, distribution, and consumption. The course Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future may provide some foundational knowledge for this role, particularly in the area of energy policies and regulations. Understanding the legal framework that governs the development and implementation of sustainable energy technologies can be useful for Energy Lawyers.

Reading list

We've selected 12 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 Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future.
Excellent primary textbook for a course on sustainable energy. Provides a good overview of the current state-of-the-art for sustainable energy, focusing on the physics and technology of energy generation, storage, and use.
This MIT-published book serves as an excellent overview of the choices we have for implementing a transition to sustainable energy, and why one choice is not right for everyone. It's a good supplement to this course's approach to the topic.
A standard textbook in the field of power systems engineering. A good supplemental choice for students who wish to have a more thorough understanding of challenges faced when integrating renewable energy sources.
A collection of essays and reflections on the challenges of sustainable energy by the late David MacKay, this book is an excellent choice for those who want to take a critical and quantitative look at the viability of different sources of renewable energy.
A good introductory text on the physics of energy. Provides a foundation on thermal energy, and energy conversion in all its forms. A good choice for students who need to brush up on the physics of energy, or for students coming to the topic for the first time.
A book that explores the storage of energy in the context of energy system applications. A good reference for those looking to understand the different methods of energy storage, with a focus on materials and physical chemistry.
While focused on the science of solar cell technology, this advanced textbook provides an in-depth understanding of current PV technologies, and provides substantial context for the future development of this technology.
A textbook specifically focusing on how wind energy is generated, and the specific challenges faced by wind energy engineers. Useful for gaining a deeper understanding of this particular energy technology.
Presents a useful framework for understanding the scale of the climate change problem we face, and offers a catalog of solutions to address the challenge. An inspiring and comprehensive read.
Provides a straightforward and accessible overview of energy, energy use, and energy policy. Students who need a quick and dirty overview of the field may benefit from this book.
The canonical work on modern climate science. Though not directly about sustainable energy, it provides the scientific context for the need to transition to a decarbonized economy.

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