MOOC on Energy Transition starts April 25th

On Monday April 25th 2016, the University of Groningen and Energy Academy Europe start their second edition of the Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) on the topic of energy transition. The first edition attracted over 4000 participants worldwide and had a very positive evaluation. This showed the need for a new launch of the unique free course.

In the interactive online course “Solving the Energy Puzzle” six lecturers from five different faculties within the University of Groningen share their knowledge on the energy transition. The Energy MOOC provides this unique multidisciplinary approach as this is essential for the needed transformation; considering technological, legal, economic, spatial and social aspects of the energy transition. The MOOC is accessible for both students and professionals, participation is free and registration is open from on today.

The course starts with prof. dr. André Faaij, academic director of Energy Academy Europe, who will lecture on the urgency of the energy transition and the integral approach of the worldwide energy system. In the following three weeks prof. dr. ir. Gerard Dijkema, prof. mr. dr. Martha Roggenkamp and prof. dr. Machiel Mulder will teach the students about the technical, law and economic aspects of the energy transition. These aspects include the complexity of energy systems, basic principles of energy law and economic effects of energy-transition policies. Subsequently dr. Christian Zuidema and prof. dr. Linda Steg will deal with the spatial and psychological aspects of sustainable energy systems. In the final week students will apply their acquired knowledge and skills to analyse a real-world energy transition challenge in their own country.

During the seven weeks of the course the students will be engaged with videos, articles, discussions and quizzes. Through these varied methods the participants will share their views on energy transition and sustainability with their fellow students. The MOOC takes about four hours per week to complete and participation is free. More information can be found on the website of Energy Academy Europe.