November 15 is the deadline to apply for this three-credit, five-week program of travel to Kathmandu, Nepal, which will give students the opportunity to learn about the challenges of sustainable energy in a global context both in the classroom and through a variety of cultural activities and excursions in Kathmandu. American academics often refer to an “Equitable Global Energy Transition.” However, energy use worldwide today is far from equitable, with billions of people living in energy poverty. To what extent should developed countries impose their collective will on those living in energy poverty to limit or eliminate fossil fuel consumption, despite their own development on the backs of fossil fuels? In addition to the classroom sessions, students will participate in a variety of activities in Kathmandu and have opportunities to visit rural communities to study solar and micro-hydro electrical grids.
COURSE
CE 34556 - Sustainability and Resilience of Energy Systems and Supplies
Human living standards are directly correlated with energy availability and consumption. About 1 billion people in the world today have no access to electricity, at least another billion have unreliable electricity and often only enough to power a few light bulbs, and more than two billion people cook food over open fires. This technical-oriented but accessible-to-all course focuses on the history, evolution, and current deployment of energy systems worldwide. Emphases are on the utilization, limitations, and drawbacks of world energy supplies, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables, relative to sustainability and resilience. Case studies will include the electrical grid failure in Puerto Rico during and after Hurricane Maria, the nuclear plant accidents at Fukushima (Japan) and Chernobyl (Ukraine), and conflicts related to energy. The changing energy mix of Nepal will be examined, and per capita energy use in Nepal will be compared to that of the USA.
This course counts as a technical elective in the Colleges of Engineering and Science and as a free elective. The course is also accepted towards the Energy Studies Minor and is eligible for the Sustainability Minor (SUS1 attribute).