China Energy Systems

CEE 176F/276F

Welcome China Energy Systems

This class is a directed readings course that studies the energy resources and policies in use and under development in the world's most populous nation. As a country undergoing rapid and sustained economic growth, China's decisions as to how to meet its energy requirements will affect global energy markets and impact the global environment. This course will focus on the areas of major impact that are forecast and will present a comparative analysis of China's energy management strategies.

This course is taught every other year and will be offered in Winter 2012 (2011-2012 academic year). There are no course prerequisites other than an interest in the energy picture in the world's most populous country.

Readings

This course will meet ten times during the Winter term. Each meeting will address a different topic for discussion from a series of selected readings. Publications that we will use can be purchased online or from the bookstore (see syllabus); additional readings will be distributed on CourseWork and in class. All students should plan to establish an account and be signed into CourseWork in order to obtain the literature assigned as well as course announcements.

Field Trip Information

The course will culminate in an twelve-day trip to China during Spring Break to observe energy facilities and initiatives, thematically moving from dark to light -- fossil fuels to renewables and end-use efficiency. Space on the trip is limited. Field trip attendees will be selected through a competitive application process. However, anyone can enroll in the seminar for one unit. Students who attend the weekly meetings to discuss assigned readings but do not go on the trip to China will receive one unit of credit. Students who attend the weekly meetings and go to China will receive two.