ENST 481 - Future of Energy
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.
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
25
17 Apr
Solar energy, policy, and politics
26
19 Apr
Natural gas as a bridge fuel?
Gardiner 2011
Hausfather 2016 https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2016/08/is-natural-gas-a-bridge-fuel/
27
24 Apr
Recap & synthesis
Rockstrom 2017 - Roadmap
28
26 Apr
Class poster session
Energy plan FINAL due