Teaching
Fall 2025
EN.560.448/648 Energy Systems and Policy
Course Description
In this course, you will develop an understanding—and a technically- and socially-deep working knowledge—of our energy technologies, policies, and options. This will include analysis of the different opportunities and impacts of energy systems that exist within and between groups defined by national, regional, household, ethnic, and gender distinctions. Analysis of the range of current and future energy choices will be stressed, as well as the role of energy in determining local environmental conditions and the global climate.
Principle Course Modules
1. Key Energy Toolkits
This course provides 11 Toolkits iteratively developed over several years on key energy concepts to provide students with the methods, tools, and perspectives to understand, critique, and ultimately influence the management of technical, economic, and policy choices regarding the options for energy generation and use:
(1) Energy Units, Forecasts and Fundamentals
(2) Back-of-the-Envelope Calculations
(3) Combustion
(4) Energy Thermodynamics
(5) Equity and Environmental Justice
(6) Science and Technology Policy
(7) Life Cycle and Cost-Benefit Analysis
and more.
2. Energy Efficiency
3. Electricity Grid
4. Nuclear Energy
5. Renewable Energy
6. Climate Change