Do energy fields fascinate you?
Are you curious about the future of energy?
Do you prefer having more discussion during a class?
Do you care about our environment and want to make your own effort to better it?
Do you want to know the pros and cons of the different kinds of renewable energy?
Are you knowledgeable in the technical parts of energy, but also want to learn the economics and trends behind the energy industry?
Do you want to combine your technology and business knowledge?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then you may want to take the course TEM 492. If you answered yes twice or more, then you definitely need to take TEM 492 Advanced Energy System Economics and Modeling. You may be a bit confused by the name of this course: what does it entail? Trust me though; you will learn many aspects relative to energy during this course!
When I first decided to concentrate in energy and the environment, I asked the professors and current students to give me some advice on selecting courses. They all highly recommended this course. Therefore, I became very interested in this course before I even took it. I researched the instructor –Professor Thomas Drennen – and was completely surprised by his biography. He holds three degrees from three different fields: BS in nuclear engineering, MA in public policy, and a PhD in Resource Economics. Wow, I thought the professor must be very erudite and interesting! In fact, he is not only knowledgeable, but really humorous and helpful as well.
I have to mention the textbook that Professor Drennen required: Reinventing Fire. It is really an interesting book, more like a popular science book. The author draws a blueprint about powering the United States with entirely renewable energy by 2050. He gives a lot of bold solutions and suggestions based on scientific facts and technologies; overall it is quite convincing and impressive.
The course is typically divided into two parts, one part is to discuss the chapters in the textbook: you can share any confusion or fun facts related to the book with classmates and the professor, and then everyone will discuss them. Meanwhile, the professor will come up with some meaningful questions and share his point of view with us. I would say that this course may be the most interactive course that I have ever taken! The other part is observing economics models to analyze energy data, which includes many fun topics like when will we run out of oils? How much energy can be saved using CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) in place of incandescent bulbs (the professor always calls them “stupid bulbs”:-) ) ?, etc.
Ok, I need to keep a little mystery to the course. You will never know how amazing it is until you take it; so just take it!
Just a friendly reminder, TEM 492 is only available in the spring semester. As a TEAM student, you only have one spring semester, so do not miss this opportunity!!
– Bowei Zhang ’14 (MS)
