EXERM 4312 - Electricity and the Environment
Course Description
Explore the material relationship between electricity generation and the natural environment. Learn about the role of carbon dioxide in relation to the greenhouse effect and the impacts of different electricity generation forms on emissions. Discuss topics such as albedo effect and energy reflection, climate change feedback loops, climate policy frameworks, Canada's performance relative to Paris targets, and future trajectories.
As you build your competencies, this course may also support your progress toward the SETP™ Sustainable Energy Technologies Professional designation.
This course may be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG), with final approval determined by CAPG administrators. Employers and applicants can review the CAPG guidelines and full details on the University of Alberta’s Continuing Education website.
Who Should Take This Course?
Aimed at industry executives, environmental professionals, project managers, power producers and regulators, those working in government agencies, utility companies, and energy agencies, as well as developers and investors interested in expanding their career or business with renewable energy.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- 🗸 Describe the relationship between CO2 and temperature through the greenhouse effect.
- 🗸 Define the albedo effect and outline its role in energy reflection.
- 🗸 Outline the environmental impacts associated with different electricity generation technologies.
- 🗸 Describe different policy tools used for Greenhouse Gas mitigation (including price-based instruments, command and control regulations, and technology support policies).
- 🗸 Describe the principal characteristics of all major forms of energy storage.
- 🗸 Outline the strengths and challenges of battery, thermal, compressed hydro, and compressed air energy storage systems.
- 🗸 Outline the energy storage potential of Alberta.
- 🗸 Describe some of the limitations and challenges to utility-scale energy storage.
Notes
- 🗸Fully online asynchronous course.
- 🗸This course applies to the Renewable Energy Technologies Certificate Program and Renewable Energy Essentials Certificate.
- 🗸Credentialed by the Foundational Technologies Institute (FTI), an independent organization, to meet standards of quality, practicality, and alignment to business needs.
Recommendations
Students intending to complete a program are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to lock in their course requirements.
Applies Towards the Following Programs
- Renewable Energy Essentials Certificate : Courses in the Certificate
- Renewable Energy Technologies Certificate : Core Courses
- Solar Energy Development and Design Certificate : Courses in the Certificate
- Wind Energy Development and Design Certificate : Courses in the Certificate