21st Century Energy Transition: how do we make it work?

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/21st-century-energy-transition

Introduction

### Review of the Course: "21st Century Energy Transition: How Do We Make It Work?" In a world grappling with the challenges of climate change, environmental sustainability, and energy poverty, the online course titled **"21st Century Energy Transition: How Do We Make It Work?"** offered on **Coursera** stands out as an essential educational experience. Designed to provide in-depth knowledge about the ongoing global energy transition, this course is a must for anyone interested in understanding how we can move towards diverse and sustainable energy sources while addressing the urgent demands of human well-being and prosperity. #### Course Overview The primary focus of this course is to address one of the most profound questions of our time: **How can we deliver reliable energy to a growing global population while simultaneously mitigating climate change?** The course mobilizes historical perspectives alongside contemporary analyses, allowing students to appreciate how energy systems have evolved and what paths we might realistically pursue in the future. Taking place over several modules, the course carefully lays out the context, challenges, and solutions surrounding the energy landscape of the 21st century. #### Syllabus Insights 1. **Introduction to the 21st Century Energy Transition** - The first module effectively sets the stage by discussing the historical shifts in energy production and usage. It emphasizes the necessity of understanding past transitions to inform future strategies. This historical context is vital for grasping the intricacies of current energy challenges. 2. **Energy Sources and Production – Benefits and Challenges** - This module dives into the various energy sources that power our world today, from traditional fossil fuels to emerging technologies in renewables like solar and wind, as well as other players like biomass and geothermal. This balanced look at both established and innovative sources is critical for understanding the full scope of the energy market. 3. **Energy Storage** - An often-overlooked aspect of the energy transition is energy storage. This module focuses on electricity storage requirements and explores the role of hydrogen as a potential low-GHG energy source. The discussions on new technologies give a glimpse into the exciting developments that could make renewable energy more feasible. 4. **FAQs for the Energy Transition** - Framed as an inquiry-oriented discussion, this module tackles some of the toughest questions surrounding energy transition, including balancing energy demands and emissions reduction. The emphasis here is on critical thinking and exploration rather than providing simple answers, making it an engaging part of the course. 5. **How Do We Enable the Energy Transition?** - With diverse viewpoints presented (Reality 1 vs. Reality 2), this module stimulates discussion about the urgency needed in the energy transition. It challenges students to consider the implications of both approaches and how they influence policy and market mechanisms. 6. **Policy and Pathways to Support Energy Transition** - The course culminates by linking energy discussions to the broader political landscape. It discusses current policies and the necessary legislative frameworks to support a robust energy transition. This final module underscores the importance of effective communication and stakeholder engagement in the transition process. #### Why You Should Enroll **Comprehensive Learning:** This course offers a rich, well-rounded exploration into the complex world of energy. It’s structured to encourage deep critical thinking and provides a solid foundation for understanding the intricacies of energy systems. **Expert Instruction:** The course is taught by knowledgeable professionals in the field who bring real-world insights and cutting-edge research into the classroom. **Flexibility and Accessibility:** As a Coursera offering, this course provides flexibility in learning, allowing professionals and students alike to engage with the material on their own schedules. #### Conclusion In summary, **"21st Century Energy Transition: How Do We Make It Work?"** is an enlightening course that tackles one of the most pressing issues of our time. It encourages participants to think critically about energy production, environmental sustainability, and the socio-economic factors that influence the energy landscape. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of energy systems and contribute to meaningful conversations surrounding the future of energy. Whether you're a student, a working professional, or simply someone interested in the future of our planet, this course will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to engage with the pressing issues of energy transition. Enroll today and become a part of the solution for a sustainable energy future!

Syllabus

Introduction to the 21st Century Energy Transition

Welcome to 21st Century Energy Transitions- how do we make it work? In this first module, we will introduce one of the great global challenges of our time: how do we deliver dependable global energy in a way that mitigates the effects of human-induced climate change, encourages sustainability, and meets the sometimes competing economic needs of many different countries? To begin answering this question, we will also dive into the past to discover how energy has transitioned throughout human history, and see how this might help us with energy transitions today.

To understand the challenges and opportunities of global energy transition, we need to be aware of the different energy sources that are used today, and those that could be more dominant in the future. From fossil fuels and established renewables like solar and wind, to more recent advances in energy sources like biomass and geothermal, in this module we'll introduce each major player in the world of energy, discuss their benefits, challenges, and see some new technology that might provide solutions to future energy issues.

Now that we've covered the major energy sources, it's time to switch focus to another important part of the energy transition- energy storage. In this module we'll look at energy storage requirements and priorities, particularly in relation to electricity. We'll also examine hydrogen as a potential source of low GHG energy, discuss its positive and negative attributes, and explore some new technologies making hydrogen more available and competitive.

Congratulations! You've made it to the second half of the course! Now that we're comfortable with energy sources and storage technologies, it's time to ask some of the tough questions for the energy transition over the next century. How do we balance rising energy demands and increasing populations with reducing GHG emissions? How do we improve energy efficiency both as populations and individuals? What are some ways that we can keep GHG emissions as low as possible in future scenarios where fossils fuels will still be required? How do we balance rapid change with continuous energy delivery? How do we reconcile the competing energy policies of different countries? As you'll see in this module, there are very few clear answers, but the 21st century energy transition starts with asking the right questions.

In this module, we will explore the two most common viewpoints on the rate of energy transition: Reality 1 and Reality 2. In Reality 1, energy transition will be a measured, gradual process focused on reducing GHG emissions, driven primarily by market forces with diverse energy portfolios. In Reality 2, transition is a more urgent process because the world is facing a climate crisis. Focus is on reducing GHG emissions, with major energy reforms, including the elimination of fossil fuels now or in the near future. We will examine both points of view, discussing their requirements, challenges and implications.

Well done on reaching the final module of the course! In this module, we will switch the focus of our discussion from the energy sectors, to the governments and policy makers enacting legislation and guidelines to steer the energy transition. We'll have a look at some current policies, and ask whether stepping stones have been put in place to achieve realistic targets. We will also discuss the many things that we can do better in terms of communication, flexible and logical thinking, and recognizing viewpoints of various stakeholders. Finally, we'll reflect on what we've learned throughout the course and hopefully, find ourselves better equipped to answer our titular question: how do we make the 21st century energy transition work?