We ask the question ‘Can renewable energy sources power the world?’ as a response to the growing awareness that increased use of renewable energy technologies is making a major contribution to global efforts to limit anthropogenic climate change.

The course begins by examining the environmental concerns that have caused a rise in interest in renewable energy, introducing the main sources and technologies, and describing global efforts to increase the share of renewables.

The course then looks at each of the principal renewable energy technologies and the contributions they might make to global energy demand.

Finally, several future energy scenarios are analysed to show how combinations of renewable energy sources and technologies could provide a major share of global energy needs.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• understand at an introductory level the basic physical principles underlying the operation of renewable energy systems
• understand the key role of the Sun as the main source of renewable energy
• be aware of the essential characteristics of energy demand and supply in the UK and the world
• be aware of the principal renewable energy technologies and their main characteristics
• be aware of some of the factors that are working to promote the deployment of renewable energies and those acting to inhibit it.