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Learner Reviews & Feedback for 21st Century Energy Transition: how do we make it work? by University of Alberta

4.9
stars
84 ratings

About the Course

Affordable, abundant and reliable energy is fundamental to human well-being and prosperity. For the past 150 years, more and more people have gained access to energy, primarily in the form of fossil fuels – coal, petroleum and natural gas. But now, even while half of humanity cannot access adequate energy supplies, we are beginning a profound transition to more diverse energy sources. Climate change, environmental sustainability, and energy poverty are all important – and sometimes conflicting – drivers as we strive to supply more energy to more people with fewer negative impacts on Earth’s environments. In this course from the University of Alberta and Canadian Society for Evolving Energy, you will join us to learn about the many energy sources available, and where technology is providing exciting new solutions to energy and environmental challenges. Find out what roles energy storage must play to support the transition, and discuss how we can optimize transition processes. Examine competing viewpoints (“realities”) to enable energy transition, focusing on the practical challenges in bringing about change on a global basis. Finally, you will bring all these issues together to examine how the energy transition process is progressing and what we must do to create pathways to achieve our goals....

Top reviews

HS

Oct 16, 2023

Broad-based energy source review with unbiased position on climate change. Well structured with a consistent format of facts. Conclusions are drawn from several perspectives by credible presenters.

KC

Oct 31, 2022

Excellent and unbiased review of energy sources. Pros and cons of each are described. The challenges of balancing the various objectives with energy sources is laid out well.

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1 - 25 of 41 Reviews for 21st Century Energy Transition: how do we make it work?

By Mike D

Mar 25, 2023

Great piece of work. Humankind’s challenges ahead with the energy transition needs some pragmatism. The Internet and Social Media polarizes views on the issue and makes it difficult to truly understand the issues and challenges at hand and in the future. I found this a very neutral and unbiased delivery. I would have liked to see more on the Critical Minerals issues which will play a fundamental part in any transition. Some participants may find it long to get through but I would recommend to start with the Conclusions in Week 6 - video = 26 min. – and then dive in. Well done CSEE and Brad Hayes. I look forward to future updates.

Mike Doyle - CAGC

By Gary U

Dec 22, 2022

The course is more of an Activist Action Plan with talking points to push the UN Sustainable Development Goal Seven to transition the world's energy sources from carbon to 'sustainable' and 'renewable' energy sources: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The course barely mentions or fails to mention the foundational rational, constraints and risks of the Energy Transition Plan, considerations that are integral to any serious plan. The course would have more substance if it presented guests with alternate views and also discuss the risks to The Plan. Instead, it encourages group-think (to use the current flavor of wokism wordology) and discourages critical thinking. On the positive side, it does present a Project Management style of attacking the formidable problem of a global energy transition, but only a glimpse of the enormous obstacles facing the goal.

By David D

Mar 17, 2023

A very balanced view of the current realities of the ongoing energy transition with excellent explanations of the various energy technologies for a wide audience. As an energy professional, I appreciated the reminder that you are looking through the lens of the framework for achieving the UN Sustainability Goals while acknowledging that almost all the other goals cannot be attained without energy (goal#7). Furthermore, the course stresses that life cycle assessments of all energy systems have positive and negative trade offs. The additional reading material came from a very wide range of sources with their own biases and agenda which also gives the reader a wide range of viewpoints. The examples of current technologies being developed to solve various energy issues was also appreciated. I would highly recommend this course for individuals that want on overall view of the 21st Energy Transition. I would also recommend reading Vaclav Smil's book, "How the World Really Works".

By S L

Mar 30, 2023

I highly recommend this course to obtain a comprehensive overview of all forms of energy production, storage, transmission, and transportation, as well as economics and policies.

The pace and depth are ideal. I consider it perfect for someone generally interested in the topic or generally new to the industry. Also, it's meant for individuals who are well-versed on energy to become more familiarized with other areas within the 21st-century energy evolution.

Wherever you stand on the issue, the 21st-century energy transition requires plenty of collaboration and communication. And it starts with a clear understanding of the macro picture.

By Owusu F R

Dec 30, 2022

This is a very comprehensive course about renewable energy and the future of energy. As such it deals with the various pathways to net zero and what we must do individually and collectively to fight climate change. It is a scientific based approach course and so makes you appreciate the enormous work we have to do to accelerate the path to decarbonizing our grid by 2050. I would like to say a special thank you to Professor Brad Hayes and the team of experts for putting this together. It is a great course for all climate and energy enthusiasts.

By Stuart M

Jan 7, 2023

Great information and resources. As a safety and regulatory professional, and policy developer within industry, there is much more that we can do in development of the resources we have available, and in sourcing new technologies to reduce our environmental footprint while creating investment and maintaining production. Research and recommendations to political representation on promotion and cost reduction of these available technologies is one area to make work better.

By Abdullah A

Sep 21, 2024

One of the best courses you will take. Especially if you are working in the Energy industry. It offers very good background in relate to energy sources and our current standing. In addition, it demonstrate the emerging technologies as well as the challenges that we are facing in the energy transition journey. Overall Excellent course that offers great insights and information. A must take.

By J.A. B

Nov 9, 2022

Excellent review of challenges and opportunities ahead of us as society manages through a 21st Century Energy Transition. I particularly enjoyed the subject matter experts who shared their balanced perspectives on current and future technologies that will all be required to meet the growing demands for energy. Thank you Brad Hayes and colleagues for this opportunity.

By Jean-Pierre M

Jun 13, 2023

Loved it! Energy Transition is a topic we all talk about with a lot of passion but rarely know the details and history of it. I liked the more global approach of the matter than just viewing it from a national perspective. Many questions have been answered but I am now even more unsure how this gigantic transformation can take place without massive changes.

By trs r

Oct 23, 2022

What an excellent course! I found the speakers to be engaging and their material was very interesting and informative. Being that I work at a firm that advises companies in the energy industry, I wanted to expand my knowledge of how the energy transition is taking place and what specific challenges it faces.

By Rushan Z

Oct 13, 2023

Can't say anything in comparison, but this course was very interesting and the lectors did the very high quality work! Information in the course is very detailed and nothing is meaningless or not important. All the data is actual and should be considered by very every petroleum engineer.

By Robert H

Sep 25, 2023

Outstanding course to understand the current status of global industry, society and the Energy Transition. Clear unbiased explanations of how we got here and the key technologies, timing, and industrial, social and political forces needed to attain a sustainable and equitable future.

By Enrico D

Mar 4, 2023

Fantastic course. So relevant in this day and age with the energy transition top of mind across the world. Thoughtful insight into the various realties and expectations out there. Strongly recommend this course for anyone mildly interested into what the energy future can hold.

By Engr A A K

Oct 26, 2023

It was really UpTo dated knowledge about the Energy Transition and I really enjoyed all the modules particularly the Geothermal, Solar,Wind, Tidal, Hydro and many more. I'm looking forward to learn more about these course from the esteemed and vibrant University of Alberta.

By OBIOMA O

Mar 15, 2024

My experience in this course was instructional. I learnt a lot. I am persuaded to make my own contribution towards this energy shift. Everyone should. Thanks a lot to Brad, the University of Alberta, Coursera and other instructors who acted in delivering the course.

By George Y

Jan 27, 2023

Highly recommended for a recap on the basics, a grasp of the latest technological innovations and the strategies that can enable to world to reach energy transition!

Really well structured, well thought and amazingly managed with all the guest lecturers I loved it !

By Stephen M

Oct 1, 2023

Great course, good for individuals looking to learn about Energy Transition but would also be a good course for companies or organizations to help build a broad common understanding of the issues and challenges with this next Energy Transition

By John G

Oct 22, 2023

Informative and well structured course. I enjoyed learning about the challenges and realities facing our energy transition from a scientific viewpoint. Thank you for making this course available to the general public.

By Doug M

Nov 20, 2022

I liked it and found the content to be very worthwhile. I can now discuss my views on the global energy issue with sound background of knowledge. --- Thank you for putting this together. Very worthwhile.

By Hans S

Oct 17, 2023

Broad-based energy source review with unbiased position on climate change. Well structured with a consistent format of facts. Conclusions are drawn from several perspectives by credible presenters.

By Kin C

Oct 31, 2022

Excellent and unbiased review of energy sources. Pros and cons of each are described. The challenges of balancing the various objectives with energy sources is laid out well.

By Zeljko A

Nov 21, 2022

Excellent course with balanced approach to many very sensitive and subjective topics. Not only informative but also engaging and with very good examples.

Great work!

By Dave N

Mar 27, 2023

I highly recommend this course! Very well organized and well presented it made for a fascinating and tremendously informative learning experience.

By Jorge B

Feb 25, 2024

With a technical approach and away from political biases this course shows the real picture of energy transition. Highly recomended

By Murray S

Jun 17, 2024

Excellent course that concisely summarizes the issues associated with achieving a workable and sustainable energy transition.