Sustainability: Energy Transition (FutureLearn)

Guided by the experts at the University of Canterbury (UC) College of Engineering (COE), this course will help you explore the relationship between energy and emissions, and the effects of climate change on the environment and our future.
Understand the complexity of our current energy systems
You’ll explore why our present energy systems are unsuitable as you identify the changes needed to work towards a sustainable future.
You’ll learn about the complexities of these systems and the need to take into account different parameters, including economic viability, so you understand the many factors to consider in energy transition.

Explore the limitations of renewable energy
With an understanding of our current energy systems, you’ll examine the limitations of renewable energy to help you explore solutions to tackle the challenges we face.
You’ll also explore the principle of energy transition and the concept of Energy Return on Energy Invested (ERoEI) for a deeper understanding of energy systems.
By the end of this course, you’ll have the knowledge to recognise the limitations of our current energy systems and identify the path to energy transition and sustainability.
What topics will you cover?

• Why energy transition matters
• Limitations of growth
• The unsustainability of oil supply
• Energy in our daily lives
• Renewable energies
• Energy return vs energy invested

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

• Describe energy's role in our ability to secure a sustainable future.
• Reflect on why our present energy systems are unsustainable.
• Explore the limitations in the transition to Renewable Energy.
• Identify the principles of an economically viable Energy Transition.