AREN 4830-002
(undergrad)
CVEN 5830-002
(grads only)
Classroom: ECCR 150
Instructor: P. Komor
How do new
energy
technologies move from the research laboratory to widespread use? Why do some energy technologies get
generous public support, while others get none? What
role does energy play in global environmental problems,
and what can energy technologies do to address those problems? This course will examine how society
makes decisions about energy issues and energy technologies, and how
the energy
policy process really works. This
is not a course on how policy should be made, nor is it a course on how to
be a successful
lobbyist. Rather, it is intended
to help you understand how energy technologies – from wind turbines to
coal-burning power plants to energy efficient lighting – wind their way
from the laboratory to the marketplace to common use.
Policy-making
has been
called the equivalent of sausage-making: an ugly and mysterious
process, with
an end-result that some love and some find nauseating.
This course may not make you any more
or less fond of the end-result, but it will remove the mystery of how
it came
about.
Content:
The course will use case studies to illustrate how society makes
energy
technology decisions. Case studies may include:
á
If
energy
efficiency is such a good idea, why don't we do more of it?
á
Renewable
energy: The wind rush
á
Nuclear
energy: Are we ready for a
revival?
á
Transportation
energy use: Alternatives to oil
á
Colorado's
Electricity Future: New wind, new
coal
á
Energy
and
development: Is there a
sustainable path?
á
Energy
futures
Each case
study will
begin with an introductory lecture to provide an overview of the issue;
followed by lectures, discussions, and guest speakers to explore
specific areas
in more detail. At the beginning
of each case study, a complete schedule will be handed out describing
the
specific assignments and assigned readings.
Assignments:
Most case studies will involve one problem set and one short
(1-2 page)
paper. Students will also give
occasional brief presentations based on their papers.
There will be a number of assigned readings—some from
the course reader and some from readings handed out in class. Students enrolled in CVEN 5830 will
also do a semester project.
|
Assignment |
% Of Grade (AREN 4830) |
%
Of Grade (CVEN 5830) |
|
Problem
Sets |
25 |
20 |
|
Papers |
30 |
25 |
|
Class
Participation |
10 |
10 |
|
Presentations |
15 |
10 |
|
Project |
- |
20 |
|
Final
Exam |
20 |
15 |
|
TOTAL |
100 |
100 |
Textbook:
There will be a course reader, available at the CU bookstore in
the
UMC. Optional for this course is
P. Komor, Renewable Energy Policy
(Diebold Foundation, 2004), available at www.amazon.com.
Office
Hours: Mondays 3-3:45
in Benson Earth Sciences, room
246. You can always email me at komor@colorado.edu to schedule an individual time as
well.
Prerequisites: A
basic energy course, such as PHYS 3070 or equivalent.
Basic knowledge of energy units and concepts, such as
electric power (kW) and electric generation (kWh).
Tentative Schedule:
Monday
August 28 –
Lecture/discussion:
What's
the problem? What are some
possible solutions?
Energy
supply and demand I
Wednesday
August 30
– Lecture:
Energy
supply and demand II
Energy
Units
Reading
for this class: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information
Administration, Annual
Energy Review 2005,
pages 3-20
in the course reader
|
Sep. 4 - 13 |
Energy
efficiency |
|
Sep.
18 – 27 |
Renewable
energy |
|
Oct. 2
– 11 |
Nuclear
energy |
|
Oct. 16 – 25 |
Transportation |
|
Oct.
30 – Nov. 8 |
Colorado
electricity |
|
Nov.
13 – 22 |
Energy
and Development |
|
Nov.
27 – Dec. 6 |
Energy
Futures |
|
Dec.
11 - 13 |
Graduate
student presentations |
|
To be
announced |
Final
Exam |
31 August 2006