Renewable Energy: Achieving Sustainability through Bioenergy (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Leeds,
Renewable Energy: Achieving Sustainability through Bioenergy (FutureLearn)

Understand the principles of bioenergy and learn how to harness this form of renewable energy to achieve sustainability. Learn about the principles and environmental implications of bioenergy.
On this two week course, you will explore bioenergy, one of the most diverse and readily available sources of renewable energy. You’ll look into what types of biomass can be used and how sustainable energy solutions can be developed in a wide range of communities.

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Understand how biomass is formed and how it can be converted into green energy.
You will learn how solar energy converts inorganic matter into biomass and consider the origins of fossil fuel. As you investigate different sources of biofuel, you will explore some of the associated socioeconomic and environmental implications.
You’ll then study how biomass can be converted into clean energy using different technologies before delving into social issues associated with biomass combustion.
Explore the social, economic and environmental implications of bioenergy by looking at global applications and case studies.
You will learn about the use of biogas and liquid biofuels such as palm oil by looking at case studies from around the world.
As you explore how communities use bioenergy, you’ll understand how it can be used to improve access to clean renewable energy to those that need it the most and gain an insight into practical applications.
You will also learn how people use a range of energy technologies in their homes by ‘stacking’ and explore ways that sustainability is enhanced by using bioenergy in different communities.
Develop practical skills that will help you to develop real-life energy solutions.
This skills-based course will enable you to put into practice the knowledge you’ve acquired by conducting a feasibility study for introducing bioenergy technologies into a small community. You will also get to use tools and gather technical information to help you develop your expertise and explore the topic further.

Syllabus

Week 1: Plant Power
Week 2: Investigating biogas and gasification

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore some of the basic principles about bioenergy such as the nature of biomass pyrolysis and fermentation.
  • Become conversant with interdisciplinary approaches to renewable energy to see how technical, social, economic and environmental components interact.
  • Develop practical skills on integrated renewable energy such as selection of technologies and feedstocks to match local socio-economic needs.

Who is the course for?
The course is designed for anyone interested in renewable energy, bioenergy and achieving sustainable energy solutions. It will be of particular interest to students studying relevant disciplines, academic researchers, professionals in the energy industry, and NGOs.
The course features examples and case studies from Uganda, Mexico and Indonesia and so it will be of particular interest to communities from these countries as well as countries with similar energy needs.
This course is designed to support you as a professional. By completing all aspects of the course, you will have achieved 8 hours of CPD time.

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