Session Description:

Energy transitions in the developing world, the techno-economics of renewable energy technologies, and the basic/fundamental scientific concepts in renewable energy-related sciences.

BEFORE THE CLASS

Each masterclass has some readings and discussion questions for you to work on before the masterclass. There are pre-masterclass readings or videos, as well as pre-masterclass discussion questions. 

After you complete your Preclass Materials, sign on to Discord 1 hour before your masterclass start time. You will submit your responses to the pre-masterclass questions in the associated #prof-chat channel in Discord. Then, visit a Discord Meeting Room to discuss the Pre-Masterclass Discussion Questions with your peers. This ensures you are prepared for the masterclass.

Pre-Masterclass Reading 

Please select one case to read and answer the corresponding questions.

Case 1 – Energy Access Impact in Odisha, India

•  Are Micro-Grids for Rural Electrification the Answer?

  • – https://vikalpsangam.org/article/are-micro-grids-for-rural-electrification-the-answer/

•  Decentralised renewable energy is bringing this Odisha village’s energy aspirations to life 

• - https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/renewable-energy/decentralised-renewable-energy-is-bringing-this-odisha-village-s-energy-aspirations-to-life-93737

•  Attached “Maligaon Project Overview_CSR Partners_V2_compressed.pdf” –a note is that this document was written to pitch the project to possible CSR partners, but contains useful information nonetheless.

•  Any videos in this YouTube playlist are supplementary material, encouraged to watch videos 10, 11, 13, and 16 if time permits. -

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of1mIe7oWws&list=PLcDmi4Pmrv5FyhocLXtqFY2TcTjd6YDHx

Case 2 – The Lithium Ion Battery – Discovery & Scale

•  Attached “Frith et al. - 2023 - A non-academic perspective on the future of lithium-based batteries.pdf”

•  Attached “Benchmark_Net-Zero-2050-and-the-Battery-Arms-Race.pdf” – Note to students that reading/skimming the whole document is encouraged, but the most critical sections are “Nickel”, “Cobalt”, and “Manganese”.

•  The cobalt challenge - The dark side of the energy transition | DW Documentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q2IW7UEclI 

  •  Note to students that no need to watch the whole 1.5 hour documentary, skimming through it and watching a few interesting snippets (~15-20 mins) based on what catches their attention will give them plenty of interesting examples to discuss/supplement the lecture content.

Pre-Masterclass Questions

Case 1 – Energy Access Impact in Odisha, India

1.  Consider the pin-wheel diagrams  in the Vikalp Sangam article. What about how the renewable energy technology was deployed/implemented in Odisha aided the creation of positive long-term impact?

2.  If the micro-grid in Maligaon were to fail/become defunct again, based on the limited information you have, what do you think would cause it to fail?

Case 2 – The Lithium-Ion Battery – Discovery & Scale

1.  Consider the technology readiness level (TRL) plot in “Fig. 2” in the perspective. In your country/hometown, at what TRL are batteries for electric vehicle applications? At what TRL level are other renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines, etc. in your locale?

2.  What are some of the key scale-up challenges described in the “Nickel”, “Cobalt”, and “Manganese” sections of the “Net Zero 2050 and the Battery Arms Race” report? How are the challenges similar/different between each of these raw materials?

3.  What about the cobalt challenge stands out to you as most devastating/unfair? How can developing countries secure a just energy transition, and leverage their natural resources for domestic positive economic and even environmental impact? Feel free to do some research about natural resources in your own home country that are mined for use in renewable energy technologies—this will give the discussion some personal relevance.

DURING THE CLASS

After completing the pre-masterclass discussion with your peers in Discord, go to the "Events" channel for the Zoom link to your Masterclass. The Zoom link will also be sent via email 1 hour before the session begins.

Reminders of Good Behavior Expectations During the Session:

• Make sure your name is presented in the Aspire format: "FirstName LastName | Country"

• Raise your hand if you would like to be called on

• Please keep your communication on topic and related to the session

• Be respectful and kind to the faculty, our staff, and your fellow participants.

AFTER THE CLASS

Towards the end of the masterclass session, the Aspire team will share out a link to an attendance form. It is your responsibility to make sure you submit at least one attendance form. We will not personally remind you -- it is on you to get the link and indicate that you have attended the session.

The form will be live for 3 hours after the masterclass ends. After that, it can no longer be submitted.

If you miss the window to submit the attendance form, or if you missed the link, you have to attend an additional masterclass. In order to complete the program, you must submit at least one attendance form.