Renewable Energy - What is it and do we need it?

We're all being urged to make more use of renewable energy and to invest in a renewable energy future for our homes and businesses. But what is renewable energy? Do we need it and if so, why? Which technologies are renewable and what makes them so? This course will answer these questions and others, such as:

• Is it true we can’t rely on renewable energy to keep the lights on?

• Why should some countries be expected to build their economies on renewables, when others built theirs on fossil fuels?

• And, if renewable energy is such a good idea, what’s stopping us from producing more?

Our current reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable. We are using them up and they cause much of the air, water and ground pollution we experience. For much of human history we’ve powered our lives with renewable energy and now is the time to return to clean, modern versions of these sources.

The course is presented using a blend of talking head, animation and on-screen presentation. We use appropriate, selected images and case studies to illustrate the points. The course begins by explaining and defining renewable energy, before looking at the reasons why we're moving to a renewable energy future. We examine which technologies are renewable and some of the barriers to increasing our use of renewable energy. We also consider the role of nuclear energy, hydrogen power and energy efficiency measures in the context of a renewable energy future.

The course concludes with a summary and call to action, followed by a quiz to confirm the knowledge acquired. A resources document can be downloaded.