This course consists of interdisciplinary research work identifying and analyzing current and future challenges related to energy transitions in the world. Interest in facilitating the adoption of energy efficient and renewable energy (henceforth, “clean energy”) technologies has grown rapidly in recent years throughout many countries at all levels of government. Policy is one of the tools available to governments to address barriers to clean energy adoption and to drive market transformation. States, regional, federal and local governments/authorities have employed a variety of policies to support clean energy adoption.
This course aims to provide a global overview of the current global clean and fossil energy policy landscape to develop a better understanding of the current policy environment and identify areas for further research. The goal is to provide practical information to students regarding the status of, barriers to, and possibilities for increased energy efficiency and renewable energy development at various levels of governance. Based on domestic and transnational relevant cases concerning energy transition, planning and sustainability, the comparative perspective of the seminar allows the students an opportunity to highlight a topic of their choice which could deal with: energy security, social acceptability, energy conservation, decarbonization, carbon-capture utilization and storage (CCUS) solutions, renewable energy technologies (wind, solar, hydro, nuclear, hydrogen, biomass and geothermal), etc.
Energy transition and decarbonization strategies target complex, frequently competing goals involving economic principles (macroeconomics, financial valuation, etc.) and environmental considerations (emissions, regulations, incentives, etc.). Consequently, the students are encouraged to critically think about these challenges within a multidisciplinary analysis framework.
- Teacher: Gauthier Mouton