This is a two week course. In the first week you will learn about the core activities that the Industry executes to bring electricity to customers. We will review what electricity is, how it is generated, how it is transmitted, how it comes into buildings, and how consumption of electricity instantly feeds back on the transmission and generation of electricity. You will learn to:
Define what electricity is;
Describe how electricity is generated, transmitted and distributed;
Describe how electricity is generated, transmitted and distributed; and
Summarize how the consumption of electric energy instantly feeds back on the transmission and generation of electricity.
In the second week, the course shifts to the markets that drive Electric Industry operations. You will learn about the various costs of the electric industry’s core activities, how electricity is priced, the various ways that electric markets are structured, how these market structures determine which power plants are dispatched to produce electricity when, and how recent changes in generator fuel prices, generation technology, market regulations, and environmental regulations are transforming both Electric Industry Markets and Operations. You will learn to:
Describe the main cost components to the electric system;
Compare the costs of different types of power plants;
Interpret the retail pricing of electricity;
Explain the different types of electric markets and understand how they operate to dispatch electric supply to meet demand in real time; and
Explain why and how the electric industry is regulated.
In the operations module, you will learn about the core activities that the Industry executes to bring electricity to customers. We will review what electricity is, how it is generated, how it is transmitted, how it comes into buildings, and how consumption of electricity instantly feeds back on the transmission and generation of electricity.
What's included
15 videos1 reading4 assignments
Show info about module content
15 videos•Total 72 minutes
Course Introduction•6 minutes
Electric Industry Overview•4 minutes
What Electricity Is•5 minutes
Charge, Current, Voltage, and Resistance•5 minutes
Electric Power, Electric Energy, and Ohm's Law•3 minutes
A Circuit Model of the Electric System•4 minutes
Electromagnetism•6 minutes
Power Plants•4 minutes
Capacity Factor•5 minutes
How a Transformer Works•5 minutes
Transmitting and Distributing Electricity•4 minutes
Power Line Loss•3 minutes
Electric System Basics in Buildings•9 minutes
Lamp to Plant•5 minutes
Daily and Seasonal Variations in Electric Load•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 5 minutes
Report a problem with the course•5 minutes
4 assignments•Total 120 minutes
Industry Overview•30 minutes
Generation•30 minutes
Transmission & Distribution•30 minutes
Load•30 minutes
Electricity Industry Markets
Module 2•6 hours to complete
Module details
In this second module, the course shifts to the markets that drive Electric Industry operations. You will learn about the various costs of the electric industry’s core activities, how electricity is priced, the various ways that electric markets are structured, how these market structures determine which power plants are dispatched to produce electricity when, and how recent changes in generator fuel prices, generation technology, market regulations, and environmental regulations are transforming both Electric Industry Markets and Operations.
What's included
16 videos1 reading4 assignments1 peer review
Show info about module content
16 videos•Total 90 minutes
Managing Supply to Meet Demand•7 minutes
The Need for Different Power Plants•6 minutes
Levelized Cost of Electricity•6 minutes
Retail Pricing of Electricity•4 minutes
The Need for Regulation•5 minutes
Who Regulates What•2 minutes
Major Federal Regulations•6 minutes
Existing Electric Market Structures•6 minutes
Ideal Economic Dispatch•7 minutes
Generator Selling Price•4 minutes
Actual Economic Dispatch•4 minutes
Relationship Between Wholesale and Retail Prices•8 minutes
Impact of Fuel Prices•6 minutes
Impact of Government Regulations•7 minutes
Impact of Government Incentivies•10 minutes
Growth in Renewable Electricity Generation•2 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Share your learning experience•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 120 minutes
System Management•30 minutes
Regulation•30 minutes
Markets•30 minutes
External Market Forces•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
Electric Industry Operations and Market Assignment•120 minutes
Instructor
Instructor ratings
Instructor ratings
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.
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.
OK
Explore more from Environmental Science and Sustainability
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
4.8
1,585 reviews
5 stars
82.77%
4 stars
14.44%
3 stars
1.76%
2 stars
0.25%
1 star
0.75%
Showing 3 of 1585
H
HL
5·
Reviewed on Feb 16, 2026
The course provided a good introduction. I liked the selection of topics. The videos were in general well done, and the course instructor gave effective presentations.
A
AT
5·
Reviewed on Feb 9, 2021
I am sure that this course is a good one for the beginners in the electricity industry and will surely add value to the experienced. The explanation of Lincoln was very good and simple.
J
JA
4·
Reviewed on Mar 17, 2021
very exciting course about the electric markets and its operations.......recommend this course for all those who are seeking a basic understanding of the workings of the electric industry.
Will I receive a transcript from Duke University for completing this course?
No. Completion of a Coursera course does not earn you academic credit from Duke; therefore, Duke is not able to provide you with a university transcript. However, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.