University of Colorado Boulder
Renewable Power and Electricity Systems
University of Colorado Boulder

Renewable Power and Electricity Systems

This course is part of Renewable Energy Specialization

11,823 already enrolled

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(222 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

12 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(222 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

12 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • How electricity systems work, from both technical and institutional perspectives

  • -The challenges and opportunities arising from renewables in electricity systems

Details to know

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Assessments

5 quizzes

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Renewable Energy Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate
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There are 5 modules in this course

The first lesson provides an overview of the course. The second lesson explains how electricity is measured and defined, and then dives into the market and technical details of the two fastest-growing renewable electricity technologies: wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV).

What's included

12 videos6 readings1 quiz1 discussion prompt

Electricity systems - also called grids - must provide reliable electricity, all the time. This task is further challenged by the rapid growth in wind turbines and solar PV, which are subject to fluctuations in the wind and the sun. These lessons explain how electricity systems use different types of power plants to provide reliable electricity, and then explores the rapidly changing topic of ‘grid integration’ - how to integrate large amounts of new wind and solar PV while maintaining grid reliability.

What's included

10 videos3 readings1 quiz

Two specific tools to ease grid integration of variable renewables stand out for their potential: Storage and demand flexibility. These lessons discuss how storage and demand flexibility work, describe their current status and limitations, and identify key opportunities.

What's included

14 videos4 readings1 quiz

Electricity systems’ institutional and regulatory structures are changing worldwide, and competition is playing a growing role in electricity generation. Why is this happening, and what does it mean for renewables? These lessons use case studies of Ghana, France, the UAE, and others to illustrate how the electricity industry is shifting, and discuss the growing role of Independent System Operators (ISOs) in grid operation and planning.

What's included

11 videos5 readings1 quiz

Renewable electricity is growing at an astounding pace, and the electricity industry is shifting towards greater use of competition in electricity generation. These lessons pull all the course material together and show how the pieces fit together.

What's included

4 videos1 quiz

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.8 (91 ratings)
Paul Komor
University of Colorado Boulder
2 Courses19,974 learners

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4.7

222 reviews

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Reviewed on May 22, 2024

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Reviewed on Sep 18, 2022

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5

Reviewed on May 24, 2024

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