Energy Studies
Elective
Sustainable Energy Systems: Transition to Renewable Energy
Course Description
Spain presents a fascinating case study in renewable energy development, emerging as a European leader in wind and solar power while navigating complex political, economic, and geographical challenges. This course examines Spain's energy transition, focusing on the opportunities and challenges in adopting sustainable energy practices. How is Spain leveraging its abundant solar and wind resources to transform its energy system? What role do technological innovation, policy frameworks, and social factors play in Spain's renewable energy landscape? How do regional differences within Spain's autonomous communities shape diverse approaches to energy transition?
Using Spain as both case study and classroom, students will explore the technological, economic, and social aspects of Spain's renewable energy projects. Through lectures, field visits to renewable energy installations, and project work, students engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications of renewable energy systems in Spain, developing their analytical, research, and problem-solving skills while preparing themselves to engage with complex energy transition challenges.
Aligned with 5 key UN Sustainable Development Goals
The course most directly engages SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) through the central focus on renewable energy systems, SDG 13 (Climate Action) through the decarbonization of Spain's energy mix, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through grid modernization and energy storage, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through urban energy applications, and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through the renewable industry ecosystem and just transition.
5 Key SDGs Addressed
Key Topics
The renewable energy landscape (solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal)
Energy policy and climate goals
Energy storage and smart grid technology
Local energy cooperatives and decentralized energy systems
The impact of renewable energy on local communities and industries
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1
Identify and explain key renewable energy technologies, their applications in the Spanish context, and the evolution of Spain's energy system from conventional to renewable sources.
Assessment: Quiz on renewable energy technologies and Spain's energy landscape.
2
Evaluate the interconnectedness of technological, economic, policy, and social factors in renewable energy development, analyzing how interventions in one area impact others in the Spanish context.
Assessment: Case study analyzing interdependencies of renewable energy systems in Spain.
3
Assess the effectiveness of current renewable energy policies and initiatives in Spain, identifying strengths, shortcomings, challenges, and areas for improvement.
Assessment: Research paper critically evaluating a renewable energy policy or project in Spain.
4
Design innovative approaches to renewable energy implementation that address technical and social challenges, considering the unique geographical, economic, and cultural context of Spain.
Assessment: Group project proposing a renewable energy solution for a Spanish community.
5
Formulate a compelling strategy for advancing renewable energy adoption, utilizing stakeholder engagement, technical feasibility analysis, and policy frameworks relevant to the Spanish energy context.
Assessment: Presentation and written proposal for implementing a renewable energy initiative in a Spanish region.
Course Format and Assessment Methods
20%
Class Discussions and Debates
Demonstrated engagement with assigned readings. Thoughtful contributions to class and Canvas discussions.
All LOs
10%
Quiz
Demonstrated understanding of renewable energy technologies and Spain's energy landscape.
LO 1
20%
Research Paper
A 10–12-page critical analysis of a renewable energy policy or project in Spain. Though not required, comparison with non-Spanish approaches is welcome.
LO 3
10%
Case Study
A 3-page analysis of interdependencies of renewable energy systems in a Spanish regional context.
LO 2
20%
Field Studies
Using class field visits to Spanish renewable energy installations, identify and analyze two examples (10% each) of how renewable energy theory intersects with real-world implementation.
LO 3
20%
Group Project and Presentation
Collaborative research on a renewable energy challenge, solutions, and innovations (10%), and compelling articulation of findings with practical, action-oriented recommendations (10%).
LO 4, 5
Course Outline
1
Foundations of Renewable Energy SystemsCore principles, technologies, and frameworks of renewable energy systems, with specific focus on Spain's energy landscape and transition from conventional to renewable sources.
2
Spain's Energy System: Past, Present, and FutureHistorical context of Spain's energy development, current energy mix, and future projections, examining the drivers and barriers for renewable energy expansion in Spain.
3
Solar Energy in Spain: Photovoltaics and Concentrated Solar PowerComprehensive exploration of Spain's solar energy sector, examining both photovoltaic and concentrated solar power technologies, installation patterns, economic incentives, and Spain's leadership in solar thermal systems.
4
Wind Energy: Spain's Renewable Success StoryAnalysis of Spain's world-class wind energy sector, including onshore and emerging offshore developments, technological innovations, industrial development, and integration challenges.
5
Hydroelectric Power in the Iberian PeninsulaExamination of Spain's hydroelectric infrastructure, historical development, current status, pumped storage facilities, and future potential, including transboundary water management with Portugal.
6
Bioenergy and Waste-to-Energy SystemsInvestigation of biomass, biogas, and waste-to-energy applications in Spain, examining agricultural connections, waste management integration, and sustainability considerations.
7
Energy Storage and Grid Integration ChallengesExploration of Spain's electricity grid modernization efforts, energy storage solutions, and the challenges of managing variable renewable energy resources in an historically isolated grid system.
8
Catalonia's Renewable Energy LandscapeAnalysis of renewable energy development in Catalonia, examining regional energy policies, renewable resources, urban applications, and distinctive regional approaches.
9
Energy Efficiency and Building Integration in SpainExamination of energy efficiency measures and building-integrated renewable energy in Spain, including historical buildings constraints, policy incentives, and technological innovations.
10
Spanish Renewable Energy Policy EvolutionExploration of Spain's renewable energy policy history, including the boom-and-bust cycles of incentives, recent reforms, and current frameworks for renewable energy development.
11
Energy Communities and Citizen ParticipationAnalysis of Spain's emerging energy communities, cooperatives, and citizen participation models, examining their governance, benefits, and challenges in the Spanish social context.
12
Renewable Energy Industries and Economic DevelopmentExamination of Spain's renewable energy industry ecosystem, manufacturing capabilities, technological innovations, and economic impacts, including employment and export opportunities.
13
The Spanish Energy Transition: Social and Political DimensionsExploration of public perception, community engagement, and political debates surrounding renewable energy in Spain, including just transition considerations for fossil fuel-dependent regions.
14
Future Directions: Innovation and Integration in Spanish Renewable EnergySynthesis of key themes and exploration of emerging trends in Spain's renewable energy sector, examining technological innovations, sector coupling, and pathways to a carbon neutral energy system.
Field Visits and Guest Speakers
Solar PV installations in Catalonia, including both utility-scale and building-integrated systems
Concentrated solar power facilities in southern Spain (extended field trip)
Wind farms near Barcelona or in other accessible regions
Barcelona's district heating and cooling system (Districlima)
Smart grid demonstration projects and control centers
Energy efficiency retrofits in historical and modern buildings
Community energy cooperatives and municipal energy initiatives
IREC (Catalonia Institute for Energy Research) or similar research centers
Using the city as a classroom is an integral element of education abroad, and this course will include several field visits, as well as assignments that prompt students to engage actively with their host context. Field visits vary across terms, but examples include those listed above.
Readings & Resources
Books
Articles and Reports
Films and Recordings
reports
Cerdá, Emilio, and Xavier Labandeira. 2020. Climate Change Policies: Global Challenges and Future Prospects. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Gomez, Tomás, and Javier García. 2021. Energías Renovables en España: Presente y Futuro [Renewable Energy in Spain: Present and Future]. Madrid: Aranzadi.
Martínez, Daniel, and Natalia Fabra. 2022. La Transición Energética en España [The Energy Transition in Spain]. Barcelona: Deusto.
Menéndez Pérez, Emilio. 2019. La Transición Energética en España: Una Oportunidad para la Modernización de la Economía [The Energy Transition in Spain: An Opportunity for Economic Modernization]. Madrid: Real Instituto Elcano.
Perez, Félix, and María Teresa Costa. 2020. El Sistema Eléctrico Español y la Transición Energética [The Spanish Electricity System and the Energy Transition]. Madrid: Funcas.
Sáenz de Miera, Gonzalo, and Pablo del Río. 2021. Rethinking Energy in Spain: A Way Forward. Cham: Springer.
Twidell, John, and Tony Weir. 2015. Renewable Energy Resources. 3rd ed. London: Routledge.
Ciarreta, Aitor, Maria Paz Espinosa, and Cristina Pizarro-Irizar. 2020. "Optimal Regulation of Renewable Energy: A Comparison of Feed-in Tariffs and Tradable Green Certificates in the Spanish Context." Energy Economics 85: 104616.
del Río, Pablo, and Luis Janeiro. 2021. "Drivers and Barriers to Renewable Energy Deployment in Spain." Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy 16 (6): 533-552.
Gallego-Castillo, Cristóbal, Marta Victoria, and Natalia Heleno. 2022. "The Role of Energy Storage in the Spanish Power System: Current State and Future Prospects." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 159: 112195.
González, Jorge S., Manuel Burgos Payán, Jesús Riquelme Santos, and Francisco González-Longatt. 2019. "Renewable Energy Integration in Spain: Regional Variations and Future Development." Renewable Energy 143: 1285-1298.
López Prol, Javier, Karl W. Steininger, and Gabriel Zilberman. 2020. "The Cannibalization Effect of Wind and Solar in the California Wholesale Electricity Market." Energy Economics 85: 104552.
Mir-Artigues, Pere, Pablo del Río, and Elisa Trujillo-Baute. 2021. "The Impact of Regulatory Framework Changes on Renewable Investment: The Case of Spain." Climate Policy 21 (7): 901-919.
Ortega, Margarita, Pablo del Río, and Eduardo A. Montero. 2022. "Analysing the Prospects for Energy Communities in Spain." Energy Policy 158: 112553.
Sorman, Alevgül H., Cristina Pizarro-Irizar, Xaquín García-Muros, Mikel González-Eguino, and Iñaki Arto. 2020. "Energy Transition in Southern Europe: The Case of Catalonia-Spain." Energy Policy 145: 111715.
Alvarez, Mercedes. 2022. Energía Renovable: El Camino Español [Renewable Energy: The Spanish Path]. Documentary.
Caballero, José María. 2021. Transición Energética: El Caso Español [Energy Transition: The Spanish Case]. TVE Documentary.
European Commission. 2023. Spain's Renewable Revolution. Video.
Greenpeace Spain. 2023. España Solar: Una Potencia Energética [Solar Spain: An Energy Power]. YouTube Video.
Jacobson, Mark. 2020. 100% Clean, Renewable Energy and Storage for Everything. TEDx Talk.
APPA (Asociación de Empresas de Energías Renovables). 2023. Estudio del Impacto Macroeconómico de las Energías Renovables en España [Study of the Macroeconomic Impact of Renewable Energy in Spain]. Madrid: APPA.
CNMC (Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia). 2023. Informe de Supervisión del Mercado Eléctrico [Electricity Market Supervision Report]. Madrid: CNMC.
European Commission. 2020. The European Green Deal. Brussels: European Commission.
IDAE (Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía). 2023. Plan Nacional Integrado de Energía y Clima 2021-2030 [National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030]. Madrid: IDAE.
IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency). 2023. Renewable Energy Prospects for Spain. Abu Dhabi: IRENA.
REE (Red Eléctrica de España). 2023. El Sistema Eléctrico Español: Informe Anual [The Spanish Electrical System: Annual Report]. Madrid: REE.