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Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Clean-Tech and Sustainable Energy (19CIE45824)

General information

Type:

OP

Curs:

1

Period:

S semester

ECTS Credits:

2 ECTS

Teaching Staff:

Group Teacher Department Language
Rafael Sardá Borroy Operaciones, Innovación y Data Sciences ENG

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are needed

Previous Knowledge

The course has been designed to address the necessities of clean-tech innovation for sustainable energy as one of the major challenges actually faced by humanity. Previous basic knowledge on these issues, as well as knowledge on innovation and entrepreneurship although not necessary, will be appreciated

Workload distribution

21 hours in class
21 hours at home

Course Learning Objectives

We live in a world that is thirsty for energy. The two billion people who have been consuming it over recent decades are now being joined by another two billion eager to do the same and at the lowest possible cost. This historical use, mainly involving fossil fuels, has sent a number of gases into the atmosphere that cause the greenhouse effect, with a consequent change in atmospheric composition, alteration of its environmental functions and modification of a host of environmental processes. As it has been pointed out in different scenarios, the world can no longer avoid three hard truths about today energy supply and demand: a) rising demand in energy-use, b) supply struggle to keep pace, and c) environmental stresses are increasing. Although in 2030 possibly we would still remain dependent on fossil fuels, we need to create now the basic structures for independence from these energy sources for a not so distant future.

The Clean-Tech Energy Innovation and Entrepreneurship course is aimed to show students the large opportunities that opens the fact that the human race can no longer continue to power its growth with the fossil-fuel based systems employed until now. If we choose to make a change, three factors become vitally important, the three new hard needs: a) improving energy efficiency, b) fully committing to renewable energy and, c) ensuring strict regulations on reducing emissions. There is a growing conviction that to avoid undesirable outcomes, we have to move from an overall situation based on 20:80 (20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with 1990, 20% use of renewable energy versus 80% from fossil fuel sources) in 2020, to a situation of 80:20 (80% reduction over 1990, 80% use of renewable energy against 20% from conventional fossil sources) in 2050. Innovation for a Sustainable Energy becomes a key issue in our social-ecological systems today.

Many new and interesting developments such as renewable energy like wind and solar power, as well as zero emission vehicles like electric cars belong to what we know as cleantech; technologies that deliver certain functionality while making an efficient use of natural resources in line with those neds for the future. So far, such solutions required long development times, large amounts of capital, and their adoption has been highly dependent on legislation. Today, information and communication technologies (ICT) are disrupting the traditional cleantech market, bringing new opportunities for entrepreneurs, companies, investors, and governments to create environmental and business value.

This course presents the concepts, strategies, and technologies for addressing the issues and challenges commented above. Specific objectives of the course are:

1.To understand the energy scenarios, the three hard truths and the three hard needs.
2.To analyze objectives to improve energy efficiency and the benefits of the so-called renewable energies
3.To understand Clean-Tech aspects and trends on the energy sector.
4.To analyze business strategies regarding energy and climate.

CONTENT

1. SESSION 1.- WELCOME TO THE ANTHROPOCENE (Prof. Rafael Sardá)

1.1.- Welcome to the Anthropocene
1.2.- The Energy/Climate dilemma
1.3.- Corporate Sustainability in the 21st Century

2. SESSION 2: BUSINESS INNOVATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. (Prof. Rafael Sardá)

2.1.- Sustainability as a key driver of Innovation
2.2.- From Clean Production to Clean Technologies

3. SESSION 3: CLEAN-TECH ENERGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP: LESSONS LEARNED AND OPPORTUNITIES (Prof. Oriol Pascual)

3.1.- Clean-Tech Energy Entrepneurship
3.2.- Energy solutions and applications

4. SESSION 4: CLEAN WEB: HOW ICT IS TRANFORMING CLEAN-TECH (Prof. Oriol Pascual)

4.1.- Cleanweb: the digitalization of cleantech
4.2.- Elements defining a cleanweb company
4.3.- Contribution and advantages of cleanweb to traditional cleantech

5. SESSION 5: ENERGY EFFICIENCY (Prof. Davide Cannarozzi)

5.1.- Energy Efficiency
5.2.- ESCO and PACE models

6. SESSION 6: THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE ENERGY INDUSTRY: (Prof. Rafael Sardá)

6.1.- Renewables
6.2.- The valley of death
6.3.- New business models in the Energy sector.

7. SESSION 7: CLEAN-TECH INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: PRESENTATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS. (Prof. Rafael Sardá and Oriol Pascual)

Methodology

The teaching methodology uses presentation of topics in class, case studies based on practical experiences and companies, group analysis and discussion, and critical reading of selected articles. A final group project will be carried out for the students. The course is structured in seven interactive sessions. During every session we will be discussing the main topics outlined in the given syllabus using at the same time different case studies.

The grades of the course will consist in a final group project, a reflection paper, and class attendance and participation. The final learning reflection paper which will be due two weeks after the course and. Writing the 2-4 page reflection on your learning experience will lead you to actively reflect on your changes in thinking throughout the topic. This exercise is designed to promote and reinforce your learning and should not require too much time. A group project will be introduced during the first session and will be presented by the groups during the last session of the course.

Assessment criteria

Group project 40
Final take-home assignment 30
Individual assignment 10
Attendance and participation 20

Bibliography

Different reading and case studies will be used during the sessions

Timetable and sections

Group Teacher Department
Rafael Sardá Borroy Operaciones, Innovación y Data Sciences

Timetable