Wind turbines and solar photovoltaics (PV) are on a path of rapid growth. In these lessons, we review promising new technical approaches for wind and solar PV, such as offshore floating wind platforms and building-integrated PV. We’ll also assess other renewable energy technologies that are on different paths: concentrating solar power (CSP), ocean energy, and biofuels.

For renewables to provide the bulk of global energy needs, ‘enabling’ technologies - those that support and enhance renewables - are needed as well. In these lessons, we describe the critical roles these enabling technologies play, and review their current status and future prospects. Enabling technologies covered include storage (notably batteries), electric vehicles, and hydrogen.

Renewables are driving rapid change in energy systems worldwide, and these systems will look very different in the future. These lessons examine key trends, issues, and concepts for future renewables-based energy systems.

Renewable energy futures will depend not only on technology, but also on access, investment, markets, and business models. In these lessons, we examine how off-grid renewable systems can expand electricity access, how renewable energy projects are financed, and how market rules can shape the transition. We’ll also review emerging challenges for utilities and electricity pricing, including the utility death spiral and the implications of electricity systems with very low marginal operating costs.

Renewable energy, aided by enabling technologies such as electric vehicles and storage, will eventually dominate energy systems worldwide. In these lessons, we pull all the course material together and show how the pieces fit together.