This is an upper-level course in the Department of Environmental Studies at Keene State College It is offered in Spring semester. Keene State courses are open to community members for audit or credit.
Course Description Fossil fuels and climate change are pushing us toward a lower carbon future. We examine the transition underway to renewable energy, conservation, and smart efficiency. We also evaluate the disruptive and positive consequences of the technological, political, economic, environmental, and social forces that are driving the changes today.
Student Learning objectives At the end of the course you should:
Explain how the transition to a low carbon society is happening.
Describe key energy policies in the United States.
Analyze how technological, political, economic, environmental, and social forces drive change.
Critically analyze the ethical questions around the low carbon energy transition.
Write professionally, as an individual and in collaborative groups.
Semester Plan
1 16 Jan Introduction to the course Energy vocabulary & literacy Syllabus
2 18 Jan Energy systems transitions: An intro. VISIT KSC vegie boiler 11am
3 23 Jan Energy systems today I ASSIGNMENT: Electric bill ASSIGNMENT: State Sankey Diagram compare
4 25 Jan Energy systems today II ASSIGNMENT: News article ACTIVITY: US Sankey diagram comparison
5 30 Jan Understanding forces of energy system change Araujo 2014
6 1 Feb Technological forces Can we do it with 100% renewables? Jacobson & Delucci 2009, 2015 McDonnell (Mother Jones) 2015
7 6 Feb Creating a smarter electric grid Rebuilding Puerto Rico’s grid Technological lock-in Perkins 2003 – Technological lock-in Joskow 2012 – Creating a smarter electric grid Stephens et al. 2013
8 8 Feb Political forces Envisioning a 100% RE society The Ready for 100 campaign Guest speaker: Patricia Martin (Rindge energy) NH State Energy Strategy 2014, Ch 2 Town of Rindge energy report
9 13 Feb Politics and the policy environment Sohn 2018 – TVA and Clean Line Birch 2018 – How to half the price of PV
10 15 Feb Energy activism Sierra Club 2018 – Report on Ready for 100
11 20 Feb Environmental forces: climate change National climate assessment 2014
12 22 Feb Environmental forces: Pollution Carbon Brief 2017
13 27 Feb Societal forces: Local energy co-ops, energy democracy, energy justice, community-based solar Hanna 2015 - Nebraska Roberts 2015 - California Yildiz 2015 – Germany
14 1 Mar Social acceptance, rejection, and NIMBY Public opposition to anything Lecture 11 Public attitudes and hydrogen? Devine-Wright 2011 Wustenhagen et al. 2007 – Social acceptance
3 Mar Energy story interview assignment due
15 6 Mar Review for mid-term
16 8 Mar MID TERM EXAM
9-18 Mar NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK F2017
17 20 Mar Economic forces: Market-based change: Setting a price on carbon Carbon cap and trade vs. carbon tax None
18 22 Mar Energy planning Windham Regional Energy Plan
19 27 Mar Work on your energy plan Review homework Estimate hot water
20 29 Mar Guest Brianna Brand 10-10:45 NHSEA – Legal & regulatory forces for and against energy transition Social dimension of energy efficiency Energy conservation and efficiency Dietz et al. 2009
21 3 Apr Guest speakers Michele Chalice and Mari Brunner (City of Keene) Personal decision to install solar & City of Keene GHG emissions
22 5 Apr Social practice theory Transforming cultural practices around transportation Geography of energy transition Mary Greene 2017 Bridge 2013
7 Apr Energy plan DRAFT due
23 10 Apr Energy plan presentations Energy storage solutions
24 12 Apr Energy plan presentations Demand side management