Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

ECO 505 - SL: Sustainable Energy and Policy


This course examines tradeoffs associated with the technical, economic, environmental, and social implications of energy supply, distribution, and use in the context of transitioning toward a sustainable energy future. Students examine a variety of renewable and non-renewable energy options for electricity, heating and transportation. Students assess quantitative and qualitative indicators of sustainability related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change, air and water quality, human health and safety, energy security, wildlife and the environment, technological efficiency and availability. They examine the effect of policies(e.g. carbon prices, emissions targets, efficiency requirements, renewable portfolio standards, feed in tariffs) on these indicators and tradeoffs. The course provides brief introductions to environment life cycle assessment (LCA), social benefit cost analysis (SBCA) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), as they apply to energy issues. Students apply course concepts to a service-learning project in which they work with people form surrounding communities on local sustainable energy solutions.

Prerequisites & Notes
Graduate standing in the School of Economics or permission

Field trips may be required. 

Credits: 3