Group study of selected topics.

According to The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the fight to keep global warming under 1.5 degrees Celcius post-industrial levels has reached “now or never” territory. Given that we have already reached the 1-degree threshold, drastic changes in our energy sector are needed to curb our emissions. To serve this purpose, the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act allocates over $350 billion dollars towards the development of renewable energies and their integration into our existing nationwide energy grid. Presently, the U.S. sources only 20% of its energy from renewables (US Energy Information Administration). If the U.S. is to meet its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, there is a significant amount of progress that needs to be made. Inevitably, with the impressive infusion of this level of federal dollars, and the additional private capital stimulated by this funding, substantial and transformative effects will impact a broad swath of UC Berkeley majors, including but not limited to engineering, software design, business finance, environmental design, law, and public policy, etc. This course will focus on addressing the following and more: ● How is renewable energy to be implemented into our current-day electricity system? ● Where do the various renewable energy markets currently stand in terms of being able to support a carbon-neutral U.S.? ● What needs to happen and where do resources need to be allocated in order to support the transition? ● When can we realistically see such changes taking place? ● Where are there opportunities within the industry for students interested in a renewables career? The renewable energy sector is in store for a major renaissance in solar, wind, and energy storage project development. Given the amount of federal and private funding that is pouring into the industry, we are soon to see a drastic increase in employment opportunities in areas that will instill real, tangible change for the greater good. It is our goal that this course will inspire other students to find their passion within any one of the many varied fields of renewable energy. We hope to help them navigate the industry by hosting a discussion with a guest speaker during each class in a fireside chat format. Here, students will be able to engage in meaningful conversation and learn from the expertise of leaders in the renewable energy industry. Application: https://forms.gle/2oy8wCqxxzMUbkCV9

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