Energy and environment problems recently increase importance under the circumstance with globalized economy. This course sheds light on the energy and environment issues in Japan and the other nations in the world using various data, documents, and academic papers. This course provides students with a basic knowledge and analytical method and framework through examining concrete policies and analytical examples, by which each student can examine energy and environment problems in the context of technology, economy, and social systems.
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of social issues related to energy, resource, and environment, and establish a basic knowledge of students through which they can consider practical solutions for the issues based on some analytical methods in economics.
At the end of this course, students will:
(1) Understand current status and issues of energy and environment in Japan and the other nations in the world
(2) Understand how energy and environment problems are related to technology, economy, and social systems
(3) Have in-depth understanding with respect to solutions for energy and environment issues applying methods of economics
Energy issues, environment issues, economics, energy technology, social systems
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Students obtain basic knowledge and ability to understand energy and environment issues from lectures. Group discussions on selected topics are combined with lectures.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Energy mix and economic growth II | Understand energy security issues based on knowledge on energy mix and economic growth |
Class 2 | Market and influence of shale gas | Understand trend of shale gas and progress of energy technology, and its influence on energy markets |
Class 3 | Trend and policy of nuclear power generation | Understand trend and policy of nuclear power generation in Japan and the world, and its relationship with economy |
Class 4 | Policy for energy savings and energy efficiency | Understand importance and background of reduction in energy consumption and policy for energy savings and energy efficiency |
Class 5 | Smart meter and energy savings | Understand policies for energy savings and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by applying smart meter |
Class 6 | Trend and policy of renewable energy | Understand trend and a diffusion policy of renewable energy such as solar photovoltaic power generation |
Class 7 | Energy technology, innovation, and energy businesses | Understand development of future energy technology and new energy businesses |
None specified
Specified in the class.
Achievement is assessed by class participation and final report.
Energy Technology and Economic and Social System I and II are provided as a series of lectures. Taking I is a required condition to take II.