Our Energy Future

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Our Energy Future

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Description

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About this course: This course is designed to introduce students to the issues of energy in the 21st century – including food and fuels – which are inseparably linked – and will discuss energy production and utilization from the biology, engineering, economics, climate science, and social science perspectives. This course will cover the current production and utilization of energy, as well as the consequences of this use, examining finite fossil energy reserves, how food and energy are linked, impacts on the environment and climate, and the social and economic impacts of our present energy and food production and use. After the introductory lectures, we will examine the emerging field o…

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When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

  • Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: This course is designed to introduce students to the issues of energy in the 21st century – including food and fuels – which are inseparably linked – and will discuss energy production and utilization from the biology, engineering, economics, climate science, and social science perspectives. This course will cover the current production and utilization of energy, as well as the consequences of this use, examining finite fossil energy reserves, how food and energy are linked, impacts on the environment and climate, and the social and economic impacts of our present energy and food production and use. After the introductory lectures, we will examine the emerging field of sustainable energy, fuel and food production, emphasizing the importance of developing energy efficient and sustainable methods of production, and how these new technologies can contribute to replacing the diminishing supplies of fossil fuels, and reduce the consequences of carbon dioxide release into the environment. This course will also cover the importance of creating a sustainable energy future for all societies including those of the developing world. Lectures will be prepared and delivered by leading UC San Diego and Scripps Institution of Oceanography faculty and industry professionals across these areas of expertise.

Created by:  University of California, San Diego
  • Taught by:  Dr. Stephen Mayfield, Professor of Molecular Biology

    John Dove Isaacs Chair of Natural Philosophy
Commitment 45 hours of videos, quizzes and peer reviews Language English, Subtitles: Spanish How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.7 stars Average User Rating 4.7See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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University of California, San Diego UC San Diego is an academic powerhouse and economic engine, recognized as one of the top 10 public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Innovation is central to who we are and what we do. Here, students learn that knowledge isn't just acquired in the classroom—life is their laboratory.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


General Course Materials
Course overview materials, including syllabus, lecturer information, grading criteria, and external notices and resources.


7 readings expand


  1. Reading: Syllabus
  2. Reading: How to Use Discussion Forums
  3. Reading: Glossary
  4. Reading: Social Media Resources
  5. Reading: Lecturers
  6. Reading: Get to Know Your Classmates
  7. Reading: Additional Opportunities


Introduction to Energy
Introduces the basics of energy, covers finite energy sources like petroleum, looks at how energy and food are related, and examines the scale of current and future energy consumption and what renewable energy options can meet that demand.


10 videos, 5 readings expand


  1. Reading: Learning Objectives
  2. Video: Introduction to Energy Part 1
  3. Video: Introduction to Energy Part 2
  4. Reading: Learning Objectives
  5. Video: Energy and Modern Agriculture Part 1
  6. Video: Energy and Modern Agriculture Part 2
  7. Reading: Learning Objectives
  8. Video: Petroleum Part 1
  9. Video: Petroleum Part 2
  10. Reading: Learning Objectives
  11. Video: Energy by the Numbers Part 1
  12. Video: Energy by the Numbers Part 2
  13. Reading: Learning Objectives
  14. Video: What Scales to Meet Energy Demand? Part 1
  15. Video: What Scales to Meet Energy Demand? Part 2

Graded: Introduction to Energy Quiz

WEEK 2


Physical Energy Sources



Looks at some of the alternative energy options from the physical sciences domain, including wind energy, photovoltaic and photothermal energy, and nuclear energy. It also covers energy storage and electric vehicles, and energy efficiency and smart grid technologies.


12 videos, 6 readings expand


  1. Reading: Learning Objectives
  2. Video: Future Energy Needs and Consequences from a Physical Sciences Perspective Part 1
  3. Video: Future Energy Needs and Consequences from a Physical Sciences Perspective Part 2
  4. Reading: Learning Objectives
  5. Video: Wind Power and Turbine Technologies Part 1
  6. Video: Wind Power and Turbine Technologies Part 2
  7. Reading: Learning Objectives
  8. Video: The Future of Nuclear Energy Part 1
  9. Video: The Future of Nuclear Energy Part 2
  10. Reading: Learning Objectives
  11. Video: Photovoltaic and Photothermal Energy Production Part 1
  12. Video: Photovoltaic and Photothermal Energy Production Part 2
  13. Reading: Learning Objectives
  14. Video: Electric Vehicles and Storage Technologies Part 1
  15. Video: Electric Vehicles and Storage Technologies Part 2
  16. Reading: Learning Objectives
  17. Video: Energy Efficiency and Smart Grid Part 1
  18. Video: Energy Efficiency and Smart Grid Part 2

Graded: Physical Energy Sources Quiz
Graded: Peer Review: Carbon Footprint

WEEK 3


Introduction to Biological Energy Sources
Provides an overview of the different biological energy sources including plants and algae. It explains what biofuels are, how they are produced, and the pros and cons of different biological sources.


2 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Learning Objectives
  2. Video: Where Do We Go From Here? Biological Energy Options Part 1
  3. Video: Where Do We Go From Here? Biological Energy Options Part 2


WEEK 4


Plant Biofuel
Discusses various plant-based fuels including corn ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, and jatropha biodiesel. It will cover the different technologies used, the pros and cons of each source, and current production around the world.


6 videos, 3 readings expand


  1. Reading: Learning Objectives
  2. Video: Corn Ethanol Part 1
  3. Video: Corn Ethanol Part 2
  4. Reading: Learning Objectives
  5. Video: Cellulosic Ethanol Part 1
  6. Video: Cellulosic Ethanol Part 2
  7. Reading: Learning Objectives
  8. Video: Jatropha Part 1
  9. Video: Jatropha Part 2

Graded: Intro to Biological Energy Sources and Plant Biofuel Quiz

WEEK 5


Algae Biofuel



Examines different algae used for biofuel production including cyanobacteria, diatoms, and green algae. It looks at how these organisms are different and why they are used to produce biofuels and bio-products. Additionally, the module covers the different tools and technologies used in research and production including bio-prospecting, genetics, synthetic biology, and metabolic engineering.


9 videos, 5 readings expand


  1. Reading: Learning Objectives
  2. Video: Cyanobacteria Part 1
  3. Video: Cyanobacteria Part 2
  4. Reading: Learning Objectives
  5. Video: Diatoms Part 1
  6. Video: Diatoms Part 2
  7. Reading: Learning Objectives
  8. Video: Green Algae
  9. Reading: Learning Objectives
  10. Video: Bio-prospecting, Genetics, and Synthetic Biology of Algae Part 1
  11. Video: Bio-prospecting, Genetics, and Synthetic Biology of Algae Part 2
  12. Reading: Learning Objectives
  13. Video: Metabolic Engineering of Algae, Part 1
  14. Video: Metabolic Engineering of Algae, Part 2

Graded: Midterm Exam

WEEK 6


Biofuel Production and Downstream Processing



Covers the chemistry of biodiesel, looks at the different thermochemical processes used to convert biomass to fuel, and examines renewable biogas. It also looks at the production process of algae biofuel, how and why nutrient utilization and recycling is important in biofuel production, and the relationship between biofuel and water.


11 videos, 6 readings expand


  1. Reading: Learning Objectives
  2. Video: Biodiesel Chemistry and Analysis Part 1
  3. Video: Biodiesel Chemistry and Analysis Part 2
  4. Reading: Learning Objectives
  5. Video: Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to Fuel Part 1
  6. Video: Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to Fuel Part 2
  7. Reading: Learning Objectives
  8. Video: Biogas Part 1
  9. Video: Biogas Part 2
  10. Reading: Learning Objectives
  11. Video: Production Processes for Biofuels from Algae Part 1
  12. Video: Production Processes for Biofuels from Algae Part 2
  13. Reading: Learning Objectives
  14. Video: Nutrient Utilization and Recycling Part 1
  15. Video: Nutrient Utilization and Recycling Part 2
  16. Reading: Learning Objectives
  17. Video: Biofuel and Water

Graded: Biofuel Production and Downstream Processing Quiz

WEEK 7


Social Issues, Economics, and Politics



Examines how energy production and use affects the economy, our wellbeing, and our heath. It will also look at how energy impacts the poorest communities, the external costs of traditional energy, and how we can regulate energy and incentivize renewable energy. Additionally, this section identifies what a Life Cyle Assessment is and how it is used with renewable and non-renewable fuels. Lastly, it looks at the United States’ past and present energy policies, and the current state of international policy on climate change.


16 videos, 7 readings expand


  1. Reading: Learning Objectives
  2. Video: Economic and Social Impact of Energy Production and Use Part 1
  3. Video: Economic and Social Impact of Energy Production and Use Part 2
  4. Reading: Learning Objectives
  5. Video: The Importance of Energy for the Bottom Billion Part 1
  6. Video: The Importance of Energy for the Bottom Billion Part 2
  7. Reading: Learning Objectives
  8. Video: Economics of Energy Part 1
  9. Video: Economics of Energy Part 2
  10. Reading: Learning Objectives
  11. Video: Regulation of Energy Use and Energy Efficiency Part 1
  12. Video: Regulation of Energy Use and Energy Efficiency Part 2
  13. Reading: Learning Objectives
  14. Video: Energy Services for the Remote Communities of Nepal Part 1
  15. Video: Energy Services for the Remote Communities of Nepal Part 2
  16. Reading: Learning Objectives
  17. Video: Lifecycle Assessment of Fossil and Renewable Fuels Part 1
  18. Video: Lifecycle Assessment of Fossil and Renewable Fuels Part 2
  19. Video: Policy Impacts on Renewable Energy Industries, Part 1
  20. Video: Policy Impacts on Renewable Energy Industries, Part 2
  21. Reading: Learning Objectives
  22. Video: International Politics of Climate Change Part 1
  23. Video: International Politics of Climate Change Part 2

Graded: Social Issues, Economics, and Politics Quiz
Graded: Peer Review: Local Energy Solutions

WEEK 8


Climate Change



Looks at the history of research on how carbon dioxide causes climate change, the key points of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s reporting, and how climate change is portrayed in the media. Also, it discusses the importance of decreasing Short-lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) to mitigate climate change and some possible solutions to reduce these pollutants produced by the poorest communities. Additionally, this section looks at how climate change has affected California’s water and energy use, and how climate change threatens global food security.


8 videos, 4 readings expand


  1. Reading: Learning Objectives
  2. Video: Climate Change and the Impact of Carbon Dioxide Part 1
  3. Video: Climate Change and the Impact of Carbon Dioxide Part 2
  4. Reading: Learning Objectives
  5. Video: A New Approach for Slowing Down Climate Change and Sea Level Rise in the Near-term Part 1
  6. Video: A New Approach for Slowing Down Climate Change and Sea Level Rise in the Near-term Part 2
  7. Reading: Learning Objectives
  8. Video: Climate Change and Water in California Part 1
  9. Video: Climate Change and Water in California Part 2
  10. Reading: Learning Objectives
  11. Video: Climate Change and Food Security Part 1
  12. Video: Climate Change and Food Security Part 2

Graded: Final Exam

WEEK 9


Office Hours
Recordings of live office hours from Dr. Mayfield and other course lecturers.


10 videos expand


  1. Video: Office Hours- Introduction to Energy with George Tynan
  2. Video: Office Hours - Physical Energy Sources with George Tynan
  3. Video: Office Hours - Physical Energy Sources with Bill Torre
  4. Video: Office Hours - Introduction to Biological Energy Sources with Susan Golden
  5. Video: Office Hours- Algae Biofuel with Stephen Mayfield
  6. Video: Office Hours - Biofuel Production and Downstream Processing with Skip Pomeroy
  7. Video: Office Hours - Biofuel Production and Downstream Processing with Rob McBride
  8. Video: Office Hours - Social Issues, Economics, and Politics with Mark Jacobsen
  9. Video: Office Hours - Social Issues, Economics, and Politics with David Victor
  10. Video: Office Hours - Climate Change with Stephen Mayfield
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