Energy supply, economics and transition

ENG-410

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Course summary

Welcome to:

Energy supply, economics and transition

Organized by Christophe Ballif, Philippe Thalmann, and Maria Hecher (for Claudia Binder).
Teaching Assistants: 
- Noémie Jeannin, please contact me if you need anything (noemie.jeannin@epfl.ch)
- Marie Courtant (marie.courtant@epfl.ch)

If you have questions before the beginning of the course, please use the Forum section below.

Room: SG0211

Week 1 - February 19

Introduction
By Christophe Ballif

Several other teachers will also be present for an overall introduction to the course, its structure and the exam.

For this first lecture, no need to prepare anything. We'll make a break around 09:00, and finish around 10:00. The room is SG0211. The slides will be available the day of the lecture.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me (noemie.jeannin@epfl.ch), or ask it on the Forum above.

There will be no zoom for this lecture, student are expected to come in the room. Recordings will be made available at the end of the semester.

Week 2 - February 26

Global Warming
World Energy Production and Usage
By Christophe Ballif

Week 3 - March 5

Mitigating CO2 emissions
By Christophe Ballif

Week 4 - March 12

Support to a decarbonized world
By Chritophe Ballif

Week 5 - March 19

Decoupling
By Philippe Thalmann

Week 6 - March 26

Different concepts of energy economics
By Philippe Thalmann

Week 7 - April 2

Energy, Human Needs, Sufficiency, and Wellbeing

Week 8 - April 9

Limits to market governance of energy in societal transitions

By Sascha Nick

To prepare, please review the sources for both 02.04 and 09.04 in the course outline document (posted under Week 7), open the links, read the papers, and share your thoughts and questions on the forum. This will make our class discussion much more interesting.


Week 9 - April 16

Socio-technical perspective of the energy transition

By Claudia Binder

Easter break

Week 9 - April 30

Behavioral perspective on the diffusion of innovations

By Maria Anna Hecher

Week 10 - May 7

Proxmity in the diffusion of innovations
By Glòria Serra Coch

 


Week 11 - May 14

Actors' perspective: Complex actor network of the Swiss energy sector

By Susan Mühlemeier​

​

Week 12 - May 21

Material perspective of the energy transition

By Francisco Xavier Felix Martin Del Campo
 


Week 13 - May 29

Swiss Scenario
In the first period, we are honoured to welcome Roger Nordmann, author of the book "Urgence énergie et climat – Investir pour une transition rapide et juste", which delves into the urgent need for investment in a rapid and just energy transition. Roger Nordmann will share his vision for the transition towards a sustainable future in Switzerland and discuss the political challenges encountered in this journey. Don't miss it!

Conclusion and discussion
In the second period, professors will recap the whole lecture, give the exam details, and then answer the last remaining questions you may have.

EXAM

Exam date: Wednesday 02.07.2025 from 15:15 to 17:15
Rooms : PO 01, CE 1 2. Make sure you check your room before the exam.
Exam format : Multiple choice questions (no open question)
  • Using a calculator is permitted during the exam.
  • Using a language translation dictionary is also permitted to translate English into your language
  • The memento sheet will be provided for the exam. No other paper will be permitted.
  • Nobody leaves the exam room during the exam without returning their copy
  • You may leave the exam before 17:15
Please bring:
  • Your student card
  • A black or dark blue ball pen 
  • A correction fluid
  • A calculator
  • A water bottle/drink is recommended