Renewable Energy and Green Building Entrepreneurship

About this course: Welcome to the course where you learn to launch a new business in the energy, finance, real estate, design, engineering, or environmental sectors, while also helping you create positive environmental and human health impacts around the world. We will integrate tools, trends, and tips from the field of entrepreneurship as a career path for making a difference and generating wealth in the renewable energy and green building sectors. This is not a course about theory. Instead, we focus on real world application, step-by-step advice, and case studies. After completing this course, students will be able to: - Define key business opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions in the renewable energy and green building sectors. - Analyze a successful business in renewable energy or green building. - Identify 2 to 3 problems you might solve with either renewable energy or green building products or services. - Plan for engaging with investors who might finance a new business. - Take real world first steps towards launching a new business or corporate initiative, by applying the 1-page business idea summary template and the Business Model Canvas to generating and refining your own new business ideas.

Who is this class for: This course is accessible to the general public. There are no prerequisites. It is designed for early- and mid-career professionals, plus university students, in the fields of energy, real estate, design, construction, engineering, business, marketing, environmental science, and similar fields. Some students may use this course to launch a new startup. Other students will be “intrapreneurs” who keep their job at an existing for-profit, non-profit, or government organization, but plan to create innovative new products, services, or initiatives from within.

Created by:  Duke University

• Taught by:  Chris Wedding, Faculty

  Nicholas School of the Environment. Founder and Managing Partner, IronOak Energy

Level Beginner Language English 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.

Help from your peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.

Duke University Duke University has about 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students and a world-class faculty helping to expand the frontiers of knowledge. The university has a strong commitment to applying knowledge in service to society, both near its North Carolina campus and around the world.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Welcome to the course



I’m so excited that you’re joining me for this adventure. My goal is to make the course real and tangible, with practical action items and case studies of success. In this introductory module, you will get to meet the instructor from Duke University and have a brief overview of the course. importantly, have fun!


2 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: Course Trailer
2. Video: Introduction
3. Reading: Welcome to the Course!
4. Reading: Lesson feedback forms

Get Inspired — The Power of 3: Entrepreneurship + Green Building + Renewable Energy



In this module, you will reviews case studies of three award-winning examples of renewable energy and green building, including onsite videos. We discuss how entrepreneurship is a path for solving big problems that matter. Lectures illustrate that entrepreneurship is NOT just about startups -- it’s also about internal innovation at larger organizations. We also dive into some of the many business opportunities in renewable energy and green building.


7 videos, 7 readings expand

1. Reading: Welcome to Week 1 of the “Renewable Energy and Green Building Entrepreneurship”
2. Video: Inside Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurs Solve Problems
3. Reading: The Importance of Entrepreneurial Thinking for the Green Building Industry
4. Video: Intrapreneurship: Innovation from Within
5. Reading: The Rise of The Intrapreneur
6. Video: Opportunities in Green Building Design
7. Reading: [References]: Green Building Global Status Report and World Green Building Trends 2016
8. Video: Financial Opportunities in Renewable Engery
9. Reading: [References] Renewable 2016: Global Status Report
10. Video: Green Building Case Study: Cherokee Investment Partners
11. Video: Renewable Energy Case Study: Strata Solar
12. Video: Green Building Case Study: Nicholas School of the Envrionment
13. Reading: Green Features Tour: Duke University Environment Hall
14. Reading: Lesson 1 feedback

Graded: Week 1 Quiz
Graded: Analyze a Business in Renewable Energy or Green Building

WEEK 2


Dive into Business — Real Opportunity. Real Challenges.



In this module, the instructor explains reasons for the significant growth in the renewable energy and green building sectors. We describe challenges and criticisms of both sectors, along with counterpoints and solutions. Finally, we discuss some of the struggles of entrepreneurship that must be overcome on this path of innovation and making positive impact at scale.


6 videos, 6 readings expand

1. Reading: Welcome to Week 2 of the “Renewable Energy and Green Building Entrepreneurship”
2. Video: The Logic Behind Green Building
3. Reading: [References] The Business Cases for Green Building
4. Video: The Logic Behind Renewable Energy
5. Reading: Additional Resources of Logic Behind Renewable Energy
6. Video: Inside Entrepreneurship: Benefits and Examples of Entrepreneurship
7. Reading: Entrepreneurship: A Working Definition and
8. Video: Inside Entrepreneurship: Criticisms of Green Building
9. Video: Inside Entrepreneurship: Criticisms of Renewable Energy
10. Video: Inside Entrepreneurship: Challenges in Entrepreneurship
11. Reading: The Top 10 Challenges Faced By Entrepreneurs Today: Solved
12. Reading: Lesson 2 feedback

Graded: Week 2
Graded: Identify 2-3 Problems to Solve

WEEK 3


Blast Off — Moving from Ideas to Business Implementation



In this module, the instructor provides tangible steps for generating, refining, and launching new business ideas, including tips for website, logo, advisory boards, and using helpful tools, such as the popular and dynamic planning and strategy tool called the Business Model Canvas. We also discuss how to think about building a team, because without one, your startup is just another job, not an enterprise.


7 videos, 9 readings expand

1. Reading: Welcome to Week 3 of the “Renewable Energy and Green Building Entrepreneurship”
2. Video: Inside Entrepreneurship: Empowerment and Inspiration
3. Video: Generating Ideas for a Startup
4. Reading: 23 Ways to Generate Startup Ideas
5. Video: Refining Your Vision
6. Reading: The Startup Framework to Validate Your Idea Before You Spend $1
7. Reading: How to Conduct Market Reserach
8. Video: Using the Business Model Canvas
9. Reading: The 20 Minute Business Model Plan: Business Model Canvas Made Easy
10. Video: Building a Great Team
11. Reading: How to Build a Better Startup Team
12. Video: Financing Your Buisness
13. Reading: How to Pitch to a Venture Capitalist
14. Reading: 20 Things All Entrepreneurs Should Know About Angel Investors
15. Video: Launching Your Business
16. Reading: Lesson 3 feedback
17. Discussion Prompt: What are the next stepts?

Graded: Quiz 3
Graded: Pitch a Business Opportunity

Closing



1 video, 1 reading expand

1. Video: Closing - A World of Possibilities
2. Reading: 60 Great Tools and Resources for Entrepreneurs and Startups