How can we transform our energy systems to meet the challenges of a changing climate? Join a CAT student teaching week and explore the science, politics, and economics of transforming our energy provision. 

Through a series of lectures, discussions, and practical activities you will learn alongside our postgraduate students on our MSc in Green Building. 

You will experience what it might be like to study on one of our postgraduate courses at CAT and gain invaluable knowledge and skills.

Key Information 

• Duration: five days 
• Upcoming dates: Monday 3 March – Friday 7 March
• Start and finish times: starts at 9am and ends at 3pm on the last day 
• Fees: £700 
• Includes: tuition, all materials, lunch
• Please note that accommodation is NOT available at CAT for this course.
• What to bring: good boots and waterproof clothing is advised 
• Terms and Conditions: 
  • You must be 18 years or over to attend our courses. 
  • For full list of terms and conditions click here 

Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for joining the course at the end of the week. If attendees wish to enrol on a postgraduate course at CAT and take the module within their future course, they will be able to receive a discount on tuition costs. 

Who is this course aimed at?  

This week is aimed at people who wish to have a taster of studying at postgraduate level at CAT, want to delve into how we can rapidly transform our energy provision and roll out renewable energy.

What you will learn 

Rapidly reducing our emissions and future proofing infrastructure to deal with the changes to the climate already locked in is crucial for a safer more sustainable future. 

This course will help participants to critically discuss energy provison and energy technologies from the perspective of transformational sustainable adaptation. 

Topics covered includes: 

• The technological, economic, environmental, political and socio-cultural aspects of energy provision technologies, with a focus on renewable and low carbon technologies such as:
  • Wind 
  • Solar PV 
  • Solar Thermal, Heat Pumps and District Heating 
  • Hydro 
  • Distribution and storage technologies  
• A holistic approach to assess energy technologies situated within a larger socio-economic perspective. 
• Environmental and life-cycle impacts on developing sustainable energy provision systems at national, regional, and local scales 

How will I learn 

Through pre-reading and some pre-recorded introductory lectures, live in person lectures, discussions, group activities and practical activities at CAT.   

This short course is part of the teaching week for the MSc module Energy Provision. Please be aware there may be some activities and content during the week only available to students, where an activity isn’t appropriate for the short course attendee, we will endeavour to arrange a replacement activity.  

Meet your tutor 

Dr Alan Owen – Senior Lecturer 

Alan is a Charted Energy Engineer and his research ranges from numerical modelling of sustainable energy systems and resources in Europe, to developing international sustainable energy policy and strategy in post-conflict/post-disaster areas of South East Asia. He primarily teaches renewable energy systems. 

Bryce Gilroy Scott 

Bryce Gilroy-Scott (CEnv, MEI, MSc Arch (Dist)), MA Arch (Dist) is a consultant and educator in the fields of sustainable communities, construction and energy, based in British Columbia, Canada. Since 2008 he has been a Lecturer in the Graduate School of the Environment.