An Approach Towards Sustainable Energy Education in India

Abstract

Renewable energy (RE) has been identified as an appropriate response to climate change and fossil fuel depletion by many governmental bodies. It has shifted the energy industry towards renewable and sustainable energy systems over the last few decades. This expansion has also increased the demand of specialists for design, installation and maintenance of different RE systems. Most people working in this sector are not well trained or educated enough whereas some of them are not even aware of sustainability. This has shifted towards formulation, model, develop and incorporation of new courses and programmes that would provide sufficient knowledge and skill in the sustainable RE sector. Moreover, the implementation of these new RE courses shouldn’t be limited to engineering level but also focuses on providing basic knowledge to everyone working in this field. Hence, in the present study, two-course structures have been suggested, i.e. general course which would offer basic knowledge and awareness of different RE systems in school level (including primary, elementary, intermediate and secondary) and in the professional programmes (Industrial Training Institute (ITI), diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and research). Moreover, adequate knowledge would be provided not only in the theoretical field but also in the practical field depending upon the level of programme. Furthermore, undergraduate, postgraduate and research levels students would be provided with a broad knowledge of science, engineering design, planning and implementation of RE systems, while ITI and diploma level would acquire skill development and training in the RE systems.