851-0609-06L  Governing the Energy Transition

SemesterAutumn Semester 2017
LecturersT. Schmidt
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentNumber of participants limited to 30.

Primarily suited for Master and PhD level



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
851-0609-06 VGoverning the Energy Transition2 hrs
Thu17:15-19:00IFW B 42 »
14.12.17:15-19:00IFW A 36 »
T. Schmidt

Catalogue data

AbstractThis course addresses the role of policy and its underlying politics in the transformation of the energy sector. It covers historical, socio-economic, and political perspectives and applies various theoretical concepts to specific aspects of governing the energy transition.
Learning objective- To gain an overview of the history of the transition of large technical systems
- To recognize current challenges in the energy system to understand the theoretical frameworks and concepts for studying transitions
- To demonstrate knowledge on the role of policy and politics in energy transitions
ContentClimate change, access to energy and other societal challenges are directly linked to the way we use and create energy. Both the recent United Nations Paris climate change agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals make a fast and extensive transition of the energy system necessary.
This course introduces the social and environmental challenges involved in the energy sector and discusses the implications of these challenges for the rate and direction of technical change in the energy sector. It compares the current situation with historical socio-technical transitions and derives the consequences for policy-making. It then introduces theoretical frameworks and concepts for studying innovation and transitions. It then focuses on the role of policy and policy change in governing the energy transition, considering the role of political actors, institutions and policy feedback.
The course has a highly interactive (seminar-like) character. Students are expected to actively engage in the weekly discussions and to give a presentation (15-20 minutes) on one of the weekly topics during that particular session. The presentation (30%) and participation in the discussions (20%) will form one part of the final grade, the remaining 50% of the final grade will be formed by a final exam.
Lecture notesSlides and reading material will be made available via moodle.ethz.ch (only for registered students).
LiteratureA reading list will be provided via moodle.ethz.ch at the beginning of the semester.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course is particularly suited for students of the following programmes: MA Comparative International Studies; MSc Energy Science & Technology; MSc Environmental Sciences; MSc Management, Technology & Economics; MSc Science, Technology & Policy; ETH & UZH PhD programmes.

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits2 credits
ExaminersT. Schmidt
Typegraded semester performance
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionRepetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.

Learning materials

No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

Places30 at the most
Waiting listuntil 09.09.2017

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Comparative and International Studies MasterElectivesWInformation
Doctoral Department of Humanities, Social and Political SciencesDoctoral and Post-Doctoral CoursesWInformation
History and Philosophy of Knowledge MasterLectures and ExercisesWInformation
GESS Science in PerspectiveEconomicsWInformation
Science, Technology, and Policy MasterElectivesWInformation
Environmental Sciences MasterTheoretical Foundations for Environmental PolicyWInformation