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MITx: Energy Economics and Policy

Learn the economics of real-world energy markets, and how various policies can address the impact of rising global energy demand on the environment and climate.

Energy Economics and Policy
12 weeks
8–12 hours per week
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
Free
Optional upgrade available

There is one session available:

11,441 already enrolled! After a course session ends, it will be archivedOpens in a new tab.
Starts Sep 17
Ends Dec 10

About this course

Skip About this course

With renewable sources playing an increasing role in meeting global energy demand and mitigating climate change, electric power systems and the related markets are changing. To prepare for a career in the future energy landscape, industry professionals, policymakers, and academics must understand these changes and develop specific, relevant skills to drive this energy transition within the necessary timeframe.

In this course, you will learn to apply economic and socio-political analysis to real-world regulatory policy questions in a set of extremely important, interrelated energy markets. Specifically, by looking at real-world case studies and emerging research, you will explore key aspects of the oil, natural gas, electricity, and nuclear power sectors, and how policies such as carbon taxes and efficiency standards can drive reductions in the greenhouse gas emissions. You will also employ systems-level analysis to predict policy outcomes not only within energy markets but across transportation, building and development, employment, and health and social sectors. Overall, you will gain insights into how applied economics and policy tools can effectively move the global energy sector toward renewable and clean energy sources to mitigate climate change, while at the same time promoting economic development.

Learners who will benefit from this course include professionals, academics, graduate students, and advanced undergraduate students considering careers and/or further study in energy industry, government and policy, non-governmental organizations and nonprofits, private technology and investment firms, academia, and research and development.

At a glance

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated programs:
  • Associated skills:Economics, Natural Gas, Applied Economics, Political Sciences, Greenhouse Gas, Energy Market, Research, Electric Power Systems

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • The economic principles and characteristics of various, interrelated energy markets
  • Overview and current issues of natural gas and international oil markets
  • Externalities associated with oil and gasoline
  • Challenges and opportunities of electricity markets
  • Policy options and market mechanisms to drive more sustainable and equitable energy access
  • The predicted effects of various policy outcomes on markets, as well as on the environment and social systems
  • Economic and socio-political dimensions of international commitments to carbon reduction

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

This course is part of Future Energy Systems XSeries Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
4 high-quality courses
Instructor-led
Assignments and exams have specific due dates
11 months
8 - 11 hours per week

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