Minor in Energy Transition

Minor in Energy Transition

 

Description of the Minor

The Minor in Energy Transition focuses on understanding and addressing the challenges of transitioning from conventional energy sources to sustainable and low-carbon alternatives. It provides students with a broad perspective on energy-related issues, policies, and technologies, preparing them to contribute to the global efforts to achieving a more sustainable energy future. This minor is diverse in its scope and designed for all Engineering and Science majors. It can be a valuable addition for students interested in pursuing a career in the energy sector or working on sustainable solutions for the future. Content will also address requirements of industries other than energy, including environmental consulting, policy-making, and sustainable development.

 

Educational Objectives of the Minor

The Minor in Energy Transition will prepare graduates to be able to:

1. Contribute effectively to the global efforts leading to sustainable energy future by utilizing their knowledge and skills in energy transition principles, technologies, policies, and social-economic implications.
2. Pursue further studies or develop professionally in the field of energy transition, sustainability, and resources management.

 

Program Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the Minor in Energy Transition, graduates will be able to:

1. Identify and analyze various low-carbon alternatives and their applicability in different context, understanding their potential to contribute to a sustainable energy future.
2. Evaluate the economic, social, and environmental impacts of energy transition initiatives, developing strategies to address challenges and maximize positive outcomes for communities and industries.
3. Formulate comprehensive energy transition action plans, incorporating policy, regulatory, and technological solutions to accelerate the shift towards low-carbon energy systems while ensuring energy security and resilience.

 

Minor Requirements

The minor in Energy Transition must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework (5 courses) distributed as follows. Only one course from the student’s major can be double counted.

 

1. Three (3) Core courses (9 credits).

   GHEG 402 Introduction to Energy Transition Management 3 cr.

   ESMA 340 Energy Policy and Economics 3 cr.

   CHEG 403 Innovative Low-Carbon Energy Conversion Systems 3 cr.

    

    

2. Any two (2) Technical Elective courses (6 credits) from the below list. Additional relevant 300-400 level courses may be taken from existing KU courses upon approval from Department Chair or designee.

PEEG 421	Carbon Capture and Storage	3 cr.
CHEG 362	Climate Change Policy and Risk Management	3 cr.
CHEG 410	Pollution Prevention and Waste Management	3 cr.
CHEG 460	Introduction to Clean Energy Production	3 cr.
MEEN 486	Renewable and Sustainable Energy	3 cr.

 

Course Description

 

CHEG 402: Introduction to Energy Transition Management

The course examines the options and mechanisms for mitigating the causes and impacts of climate change, which includes mechanisms for reducing emissions and enhancing the removal of GHGs from the atmosphere and industrial processes and systems. The course also examines metrics used to measure performance of options and mechanisms resulting from international treaties, domestic policies, local regulations, environmental markets, technologies, industrial efforts and consumer choices.

ESMA 340: Energy Policy and Economics

The course covers economics of energy markets, and how various policies can address the impact of rising global energy demand on the environment and climate. The course also covers a variety of theoretical and empirical topics related to energy demand, supply, prices, renewable versus depletable resources and environmental consequences of energy consumption and production from an economic perspective.

CHEG 403: Innovative Low-Carbon Energy Conversion Systems

This course focuses on the transitions needed from the current energy conversion technologies to those required as part of a long term, sustainable, low carbon energy system. The course provides an overview of energy conversion and supply technologies with the focus on industrial processes, electricity generations, heat for buildings and transport fuels. Innovative low-carbon energy options, such as energy efficiency, carbon capture and storage, renewables and nuclear will be addressed.

PEEG 421: Carbon Capture and Storage

This course presents an overview of the motivations, challenges and technological solutions associated with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). The main carbon capture technologies and methods, CO₂ transportation and underground storage are covered. These are introduced in terms of their technical, economic, and environmental criteria, as well as stage of development.

CHEG 362: Climate Change Policy and Risk Management

This course addresses the significant challenge of climate change and its impacts on the environment, as well as society and the global economy. The course provides insights into the science, policy and risk of climate change and introduces analytical tools and conceptual framework to better understand climate-related policies.

CHEG 410: Pollution Prevention & Waste Management

This course aims to reorient the chemical engineering students’ outlook to incorporate the society’s interest in environmental quality and sustainability into their engineering decisions and to build stronger environmental ethics. It aims to give chemical engineers the tools to incorporate environmental consequences in decision making in the same way that economic and safety factors are considered.

CHEG 460: Introduction to Clean Energy Production

This course aims to disseminate knowledge on the concept of clean energy, which will encompass thermodynamics aspects and working principles. A special focus will be given to recent advancement and evolution of latest technology in this area. During the course delivery, the impacts from different clean energy technologies on the environment and social economy will be highlighted too. Latest challenges and progress in clean energy adoption will also be discussed.

MEEN 486: Renewable & Sustainable Energy

The course provides introductory coverage of energy production, conversion, distribution and storage systems for different sources of energy including fossil fuel; nuclear power; biomass energy; geothermal energy; hydropower; wind energy, and solar energy. Emphasis is placed on the sustainable use of energy in light of economic, environmental, and societal constraints.