Sustainable Energy from edX

Climate change is an urgent global challenge demanding engineering solutions and large-scale, systems-oriented coordination. In Sustainable Energy, you’ll join thousands of global learners in examining conventional and renewable energy generation technologies, studying how they are deployed throughout the world, and evaluating their roles in the future energy landscape. Technologies include solar power, wind power, storage, nuclear power, hydropower, and bioenergy.

In addition to technological components, you’ll become familiar with the economic, political, and social dimensions of energy project planning. Professionals from diverse backgrounds must work together to determine pathways to decarbonization amidst scientific uncertainty and unique geopolitical challenges. You will be presented with advanced tools and strategies to explore pathways to decarbonization in specific contexts, and to build consensus among stakeholders.

The course is instructed by Michael Golay, Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Additional experts in various technologies will offer guest lectures, including:

Dr. Patrick Brown, National Renewable Energy Lab

Dr. Diane Rigos, MIT Energy Initiative

Dr. Alex Kalmikov, Lead Data Scientist, Aetna

Dr. Francis O' Sullivan, Orsted North America

Dr. Charles Forsberg, MIT Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering

Dr. Donald Sadoway, MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Dr. Dennis Whyte, MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center

Dr. Zach Hartwig, MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center

Dr. Gregory Stephanopoulos, MIT Department of Chemical Engineering

Dr. Vrushank Phadnis, MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering

Course image is the cover to Sustainable Energy, Choosing Among Options, second edition, reprinted courtesy of The MIT Press.

Please note: edX Inc. has recently entered into an agreement to transfer the edX platform to 2U, Inc., which will continue to run the platform thereafter. The sale will not affect your course enrollment, course fees or change your course experience for this offering. It is possible that the closing of the sale and the transfer of the edX platform may be effectuated sometime in the Fall while this course is running. Please be aware that there could be changes to the edX platform Privacy Policy or Terms of Service after the closing of the sale. However, 2U has committed to preserving robust privacy of individual data for all learners who use the platform. For more information see the edX Help Center.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to critically evaluate key features, opportunities, and challenges associated with modern energy technologies, and understand how these factors shape their contributions to global decarbonization
Use systems-level tools and skills to analyze the technological, economic, and socio-political dimensions of real-word energy projects

Build consensus among involved stakeholders to achieve sustainability goals

How to critically evaluate key features, opportunities, and challenges associated with modern energy technologies, and understand how these factors shape their contributions to global decarbonization
Use systems-level tools and skills to analyze the technological, economic, and socio-political dimensions of real-word energy projects
Build consensus among involved stakeholders to achieve sustainability goals

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Michael Golay, who is recognized for their work in Nuclear Science and Engineering

Develops skills and knowledge on how to evaluate key features, opportunities, and challenges associated with modern energy technologies

Develops the ability to critically evaluate key features, opportunities, and challenges associated with modern energy technologies

Examines the technological, economic, and socio-political dimensions of real-word energy projects

Teaches how to use systems-level tools and skills

Reviews summary

Potentially helpful, more beneficial for academics

According to students, this course is an innovative learning opportunity that is largely positive, especially if you are an academic. This is especially true for the first course of the series, taught by Professor Smart. However, if you are seeking a professional certification in the energy sector, you may not get as much out of the curriculum as you expect.

First course is excellent, especially for academics.

"Course 1, ENGY0x, is the best of all, thanks to Prof. Smart's content"

"I am a serial MOOC-er, and Simon Smart is one of the best teachers in the online arena."

Coursework is not adequately prepararatory.

"I also felt that the coursework didn’t prepare me to tackle the challenging, academic assignment at the end."

Curriculum is not designed for working professionals.

"I subscribed to the full MicroMasters without realizing that UQ is a research-oriented university and its theoretical, academic curriculum is to build a career in academia and not for training industry professionals."

"As someone with almost 20 years of work experience, I gained nothing by writing essays with stringent referencing guidelines as that is meant for peer-reviewed journals and not corporate folks with full-time jobs looking for in-depth training to assume leadership in the field of sustainable energy."

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 with these activities:

Review fundamentals of energy science

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Brush up on key concepts to provide a stronger foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Engineering

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Read a textbook on energy science
Attend an online lecture on energy fundamentals

Show all one activities

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Energy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Bioenergy Engineer

Bioenergy Engineers design, develop, and maintain bioenergy systems. They also work to develop new bioenergy technologies. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of bioenergy technology, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of bioenergy project planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Bioenergy Engineer

Energy Policy Analyst

Energy Policy Analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on energy policy issues. They work with policymakers to develop and implement policies that address a variety of energy issues, such as climate change, energy security, and energy affordability. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of the different energy technologies available, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of energy project planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Policy Analyst

Solar Panel Installer

Solar Panel Installers install and maintain solar panels. They work with homeowners, businesses, and governments to design and install solar energy systems. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of solar energy technology, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of solar energy project planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solar Panel Installer

Renewable Energy Engineer

Renewable Energy Engineers design, install, and maintain renewable energy systems, such as solar panels and wind turbines. They also work to develop new renewable energy technologies. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of the different renewable energy technologies available, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of renewable energy project planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Engineer

Wind Turbine Technician

Wind Turbine Technicians install and maintain wind turbines. They work with wind farm owners and operators to ensure that wind turbines are operating safely and efficiently. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of wind energy technology, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of wind energy project planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wind Turbine Technician

Energy Storage Engineer

Energy Storage Engineers design, develop, and maintain energy storage systems. They also work to develop new energy storage technologies. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of energy storage technology, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of energy storage project planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Storage Engineer

Hydroelectric Engineer

Hydroelectric Engineers design, develop, and maintain hydroelectric power plants. They also work to develop new hydroelectric technologies. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of hydroelectric energy technology, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of hydroelectric energy project planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hydroelectric Engineer

Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear Engineers design, develop, and maintain nuclear power plants. They also work to develop new nuclear technologies. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of nuclear energy technology, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of nuclear energy project planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nuclear Engineer

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability programs for organizations. They work with stakeholders to identify and reduce environmental impacts, and to promote social and economic sustainability. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of the different energy technologies available, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of energy project planning.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers use their knowledge of engineering and science to protect human health and the environment. They design and implement solutions to environmental problems, such as air and water pollution, hazardous waste management, and climate change. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of the different energy technologies available, as well as the environmental impact of these technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on public policy issues. They work with policymakers to develop and implement policies that address a variety of issues, such as energy, environmental protection, and healthcare. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of the different energy technologies available, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of energy project planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. They work with stakeholders to define project objectives, develop project plans, and manage project budgets and timelines. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of the different energy technologies available, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of energy project planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to advance scientific knowledge. They may work in a variety of fields, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of the different energy technologies available, as well as the scientific principles behind these technologies.

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Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design, develop, and maintain complex systems. They work with stakeholders to define system requirements, develop system architectures, and integrate different system components. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of the different energy technologies available, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of energy project planning.

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Energy Consultant

Energy Consultants advise organizations on how to best use energy. This may include helping clients to reduce their energy consumption, switch to renewable energy sources, or improve the energy efficiency of their operations. This course may be useful in this role because it provides an overview of the different energy technologies available, as well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of energy project planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Consultant