Due to economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, energy consumption is rising dramatically, and renewable energy is becoming a significant industry. Given the public health and environmental impacts of fossil fuels and fast-growing energy demand, renewable energy has a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the global energy mix and future clean energy trends such as energy-sector coupling issues.

Significant technological advances have occurred in the renewable energy sector in terms of efficiency and integration into the grid. This facilitates the adoption of renewable energy to meet industry demand, which not only provides a competitive edge to business but also reduces carbon emissions. A method combining system integration/optimization and life cycle analysis (LCA) tools is needed to evaluate clean/green renewable energy technology and justify the high initial costs of sustainable energy adoption.

This course will introduce the definition, classifications and applications, key concepts, and pros and cons of various energy sources and future trends in energy technologies including zero-energy, carbon-neutral buildings and energy-plus buildings in a future energy-sector coupling society.

Course Objectives

The main objectives of this course are:

• Familiarize participants with various renewable energy sources, the latest technologies, and their role in mitigating carbon emissions for sustainable development.
• Learn about the basics, global definitions and classifications, and applications of fossil fuel-free, clean, sustainable renewable energy sources.
• Evaluate the pros and cons of renewable energy and global LCA tools such as the Renewable Energy Technology Screen (RETScreen).

Course Modules

This e-learning course will cover the following modules:
Introduction
Module 1: Clean, renewable thermal energy
Module 2: Solar energy: Air and water heating systems
Module 3: Geothermal energy
Module 4: Photovoltaic–thermal (PVT) energy
Module 5: Solar–geothermal hybrid systems

Important Notes:

1. Participants who register to take this course and pass the final examination with a score of 70% or higher will be eligible to receive the APO certificate. Please note that the final examination can be taken only once. Therefore, the most appropriate time to take the examination should be chosen carefully. The self-assessment quizzes are for personal evaluation only and are not related to the final examination results.
2. Participants who perform well in this course and receive the APO certificate will be given preference, on a merit basis, for selection to attend follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO projects on similar topics, when nominated by their NPOs and if slots are available.
   
3. Notes 1 and 2 are applicable only to participants from APO member countries. Participants from nonmember countries are welcome to take the course for self-improvement, although they will not have an opportunity to attend the follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO projects.
4. Each module is in a prerecorded video format in which the expert delivers presentations by explaining each slide. Participants can access the video by clicking on the link provided under the title of each module.