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University of Leeds

Renewable Energy: Achieving Sustainability through Bioenergy

University of Leeds via FutureLearn

Overview

Learn about the principles and environmental implications of bioenergy.

On this two week course, you will explore bioenergy, one of the most diverse and readily available sources of renewable energy. You’ll look into what types of biomass can be used and how sustainable energy solutions can be developed in a wide range of communities.

Understand how biomass is formed and how it can be converted into green energy.

You will learn how solar energy converts inorganic matter into biomass and consider the origins of fossil fuel. As you investigate different sources of biofuel, you will explore some of the associated socioeconomic and environmental implications.

You’ll then study how biomass can be converted into clean energy using different technologies before delving into social issues associated with biomass combustion.

Explore the social, economic and environmental implications of bioenergy by looking at global applications and case studies.

You will learn about the use of biogas and liquid biofuels such as palm oil by looking at case studies from around the world.

As you explore how communities use bioenergy, you’ll understand how it can be used to improve access to clean renewable energy to those that need it the most and gain an insight into practical applications.

You will also learn how people use a range of energy technologies in their homes by ‘stacking’ and explore ways that sustainability is enhanced by using bioenergy in different communities.

Develop practical skills that will help you to develop real-life energy solutions.

This skills-based course will enable you to put into practice the knowledge you’ve acquired by conducting a feasibility study for introducing bioenergy technologies into a small community. You will also get to use tools and gather technical information to help you develop your expertise and explore the topic further.

The course is designed for anyone interested in renewable energy, bioenergy and achieving sustainable energy solutions. It will be of particular interest to students studying relevant disciplines, academic researchers, professionals in the energy industry, and NGOs.

The course features examples and case studies from Uganda, Mexico and Indonesia and so it will be of particular interest to communities from these countries as well as countries with similar energy needs.

This course is designed to support you as a professional. By completing all aspects of the course, you will have achieved 8 hours of CPD time.

Syllabus

  • Plant Power
    • Welcome
    • Transformation of the sun's energy to biomass
    • Converting biomass to energy
    • Social issues and biomass combustion
    • Summary
  • Investigating biogas and gasification
    • Welcome
    • Case study: Biogas
    • Case study: Oil palm
    • Finding the right bioenergy technology
    • Summary

Taught by

Jon Lovett

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 5 Class Central reviews

4.5 rating at FutureLearn based on 20 ratings

Start your review of Renewable Energy: Achieving Sustainability through Bioenergy

  • Anonymous
    I am very grateful for providing the opportunity to learn more and increase knowledge about bioenergy in this course . Maybe in the future, we can add case study on bio-charcoal, charcoal briquettes, wood briquettes, or wood pellets consisting of raw materials, application of technology, sustainability in the economy, health, and environment, and perhaps business opportunities that can improve the welfare of the villagers. Thank you
  • Anonymous
    The course has very interesting and smooth approach. Examine many important issues and offer to the student a clear and deep analysis, involving students from the beginning . I also found a very good bibliography stimulating my interest.
  • Anonymous
    This has been a wonderful experience with leading university the Leeds University. It has showed us with great vividness about the useful way to use biofuel sustainably. Bioenergy is avery good source for energy and it has been proved that it is mor…
  • Anonymous
    The well and detailed structure of the course was so impressive. The practical applications as well as the assignment of tasks, really aided my learning. At the end, I actually learnt more stuffs than I anticipated. Kudos to the organizers of this course.
  • Anonymous
    Fue excelente, toda la retroalimentación y dedicación de los cursores. La implemetacion de terminos cientificos y de estudios de campo fueron de gran utilidad para la comprension del tema y para la ampliacion de nuestros conocimientos.

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