FE408 Sustainable Energy Transition

Contents and structure

The course has four parts. 1) An introduction to how to define, measure, and use the concept of sustainable development on the energy system. 2) An overview of the technological components in the energy system and how these have changed historically, and how these must change to achieve a sustainable energy transition. 3) An overview of key transition and innovation theories and how to use these on the energy system. 4) An overview of the key social, political, and technological conditions for a sustainable energy transition.

Learning Outcome

The course will give basic knowledge on the most important technological, social, economic, and political conditions for a sustainable transition of the energy system, where the energy system consists of generation, distribution, storing and consumption of energy as well as management of greenhouse gases.

Knowledge

• Knowledge on key concepts such as sustainable development, innovation and energy transition.
• Knowledge on the UNs Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular those that are relevant for the energy system.
• Be familiar with the different parts of the energy system, in particular Norway¿s energy system.
• Knowledge on the most central transition and innovation theories.
• Be familiar with the most important social, technological, and political conditions for sustainable energy transition
• Be familiar with the economic rationale for when the government should direct technical change and how policies can be designed to achieve this.

Skills

• Know the meaning, interpretation and use of the concept sustainable development, with particular reference to the energy system.
• Be able to evaluate the required transition of the energy system up against historical examples of transitions in the energy and other sectors.
• Give advice to the political level on how policies should be designed to enable a sustainable energy transition.
• Give advice to corporate management and other participants in the energy sector on how they can contribute to a sustainable energy transition.

Competence

• Gain knowledge on how the concept of sustainable development can be defined, measured and used in the energy sector at a global, national and local level.
• With emphasize on technological change, gain knowledge on the transition speed, scope and areas required to achieve global and national climate and sustainable development goals. Compare these knowledge with historical examples.
• Gain knowledge on key transition and innovation theories to understand the most important technological, social, economic and political conditions for a sustainable energy transition.
• Gain knowledge of when government should use economic instruments to steer technological development and how these instruments, such as taxes and subsides, should be designed.

Entry requirements

No.

Recommended previous knowledge

FE401, FE405, FE406

Teaching methods

Lectures, guest lectures, assignments.

Compulsory learning activities

Four approved assignments.

Participate on excursions.

Assessment

Written exam, 4 hours.

Grading scale: A-E/F, where F is not passed.

Examination support material

Basic calculator.

More about examination support material