Energy Within Environmental Constraints
offered by Harvard University

Private University
3 Campuses
Estd. 1636

Energy Within Environmental Constraints
at
Harvard University
Overview

A quantitative introduction to the energy system and its environmental impacts.

Duration	10 weeks
Mode of learning	Online
Difficulty level	Beginner
Official Website	Go to Website
Course Level	UG Certificate

Energy Within Environmental Constraints
at
Harvard University
Highlights

Earn a certificate of completion

Energy Within Environmental Constraints
at
Harvard University
Course details

What are the course deliverables?

The basic engineering, environmental science, and economics of our energy system.
A working understanding of energy technologies.
Environmental impacts of the energy system, focusing on air pollution, climate change, and land use.
Techniques for estimating monetary costs and carbon impacts.

More about this course

Humanity faces an immense challenge: providing abundant energy to everyone without wrecking the planet. If we want a high-energy future while protecting the natural world for our children, we must consider the environmental consequences of energy production and use. But money matters too: energy solutions that ignore economic costs are not realistic, particularly in a world where billions of people currently can't afford access to basic energy services. How can we proceed
Energy Within Environmental Constraints won't give you the answer. Instead, we will teach you how to ask the right questions and estimate the consequences of different choices.
This course is rich in details of real devices and light on theory. You won't find any electrodynamics here, but you will find enough about modern commercial solar panels to estimate if they would be profitable to install in a given location. We emphasize costs: the cascade of capital and operating costs from energy extraction all the way through end uses. We also emphasize quantitative comparisons and tradeoffs: how much more expensive is electricity from solar panels than from coal plants, and how much pollution does it prevent Is solar power as cost-effective an environmental investment as nuclear power or energy efficiency And how do we include considerations other than cost?
This course is intended for a diverse audience. Whether you are a student, an activist, a policymaker, a business owner, or a concerned citizen, this course will help you start to think carefully about our current energy system and how we can improve its environmental performance.
Solar Farm CC-BY Michael Mees on flickr
Smokestack CC-BY Patrick on flickr

Energy Within Environmental Constraints
at
Harvard University
Curriculum

Introduction

Energy Overview

Estimating Costs

Environmental Impacts

Fossil Fuels

The Electric Grid

Solar Power

Nuclear Power

Demand Reduction and Efficiency

Energy Within Environmental Constraints
at
Harvard University
Faculty details

David Keith

Designation : Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School

Daniel Thorpe

Designation : Research Fellow, Energy and Environment