Bainbridge Graduate Institute > Academics > Certificate Programs > Energy Solutions

Sustainable Energy SolutionsCertificate in Sustainable Energy Solutions

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

There are few sectors as complex, dynamic and critical to our economy as the energy industry.  Yet energy risks are hardly every considered or discussed during critical business decision-making processes. This course will give an overview of the current state of the art of generation, transmission and consumption industries, focusing on technologies, methods and behaviors.  Students will study fuel types and sources, transportation issues, and consumption patterns that affect our society.  This four-quarter, one-year graduate certification is designed for the working professional seeking to better understand, explain and implement energy projects that meets a business’s bottom line.

The program is taught by Jimmy Jia, CEO of Distributed Energy Management in Puget Sound.  An entrepreneur, Jimmy is an engineer with degrees from MIT and an MBA from Oxford’s Said Business School.  He is a frequent speaker on the Smart Grid, is an MIT Energy Ambassador and serves on the Washington Clean Technology Alliance’s Events committee.  There will be frequent guest lecturers for topic-specific discussions.

Student Profile

The Certificate in Sustainable Energy offers a broad foundational knowledge basis for the growing energy market.  Business students with an interest in supporting the market will find practical and useful skills in

  • Creating new products for generation, smart grid, micro grid, and efficiency applications.
  • Developing new financial models and business plans from a sustainability perspective
  • Leading new changes in decision making processes that manages energy risk

At the end of the program, the student will be able to implement change, whether in a new venture on within an existing organization.

Program FORMAT

This course is taught in a hybrid format, using monthly face-to-face “intensive” experiences, combined with both synchronous and asynchronous distance learning between sessions incorporating a variety of learning methodologies.  A prerequisite for the course is a demonstrated interest in sustainable energy solutions.

Courses

Q1    Understanding the Context for Change

An exploration of the history and context of the energy system today.  The first course introduces the basic science and vocabulary of electricity, fuels, renewable energy, transportation, water, and efficiency. In addition, it presents the economics and policy drivers of alternatives.  (3 credits)

What you will learn:
  • Understand the history of the energy system and ‘how we got here’
  • Understand the role of energy system in economic and societal impact
  • Be familiar with the policy and regulatory constraints that govern the system
  • Effectively communicate both issues and opportunities in energy to a mixed audience of customers, investors and local officials.

Q2    Identifying Opportunities

A survey of the major new developments in both conventional and emerging energy resources, by looking at technology, economics, market trends and the regulatory environment. This overview provides a platform for the selection of student projects in quarters three and four. (3 credits)

What you will learn:
  • The state of the art in renewable alternatives
  •  New opportunities in financing and business models
  • Apply basic concepts to identify new opportunities in a rapidly changing landscape
  • New metrics and international standards that will affect the energy system.

Q3    Creating New Ventures

A framework within which students may take a new venture concept through business modeling, prototyping, customer validation and finally, to making the “pitch.” Students will learn about problems that the industry is facing today in order to create new ventures that meet those needs. (3 credits)

What you will learn:
  • Be able to use the new business model generation approach to conceptualize a new venture
  • Understand the unique issues that energy ventures face when implementing change
  • Innovate a business model to create value
  • Market an energy idea and create a message around the benefit

Q4    Action Learning Practicum

Apply the concepts and tools learned during quarters one, two and three in an integrated real world project. This project may be a continuation of the project outlined in the third quarter, or it may be a more implementation-oriented project for a client outside the school. (3 credits)

What you will learn:
  • Apply sustainable energy systems development and delivery skills to a real or potential project.  Design a business model that creates value within the energy supply chain.
  • Apply systems thinking to a sustainable energy project
  • Make an effective presentation for an energy project.