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Renewable Energy Assessment

Do you want to asses facilities and land for renewable energy production? Be part of the future of renewable energy with classes on your schedule.

Would you like to know how to assess sites and lands for appropriate renewable energy technologies?

A 2012 futures study by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) determined that:

“[R]enewable electricity generation from technologies that are commercially available today, in combination with a more flexible electric system, is more than adequate to supply 80% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2050.”

This increase in renewable energy could lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, independence from foreign energy sources and the generation of domestic jobs.

A workforce trained in the assessment of land, property and buildings for sustainable energy use is necessary to achieve this. This involves an education in the various forms of current technology & alternative energy including:

  • hydroelectric and microhydro
  • geothermal and geoexchange
  • biomass, biogas, and biofuels
  • solar photovoltaics & solar thermal
  • fuel cells
  • wind

Understanding how each of these technologies work isn’t enough. In addition to a technical foundation in renewable energy production, this workforce needs to create solutions to specific energy problems and demonstrate the ability to design and implement cost-effective energy generation. An understanding of energy policy is imperative to better assess sites for sustainable technology development and influence the large-scale adoption and evolution of renewable energy.

To learn more about the courses offered in this program, please visit the Course Information page. You can visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the program. If you have any additional questions, please contact Richard Ebersohl.

Why NC State?

NC State has a history of and commitment to environmental stewardship. The university is a leader in sustainability policy with such accomplishments as the LEED Silver-rated Hunt Library and is proud to house such organizations as the NC Clean Energy Technology Center and NSF’s Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center.

The College of Natural Resources offers students the opportunity to expand their environmental knowledge and develop a skillset to become environmental professionals through the Environmental Technology and Management undergraduate program and the interdisciplinary Master of Environmental Assessment, which is affiliated with the Professional Science Master’s program.

And now with the availability of the Renewable Energy Assessment certificate program, students have the opportunity to focus their education in a program that provides them with the tools and skills necessary to be a part of a sustainable future.

Once you’re ready to apply, you can do so here!Next: Curriculum