TEK4300 – Energy Systems in Society: Technology, Policy, and Social Change

This course examines how energy systems are shaped by interactions between technological development, public policy, and societal transformation. It introduces you to the systemic nature of energy transitions, exploring how infrastructures, institutions, policies, and relevant social changes influence the pathways toward more sustainable energy futures. Through real-world cases, you will learn to engage critically with current challenges and to reflect on the social, political, and technological dimensions of energy transition.

The course covers core perspectives on the role of energy systems in societal development, with attention to global drivers of change, policy instruments, and emerging technologies. You will explore the structure and dynamics of modern energy systems, including electricity networks, fuel transitions, and renewable integration. You will also explore how energy technology innovation interacts with social change, governance, and policy across different contexts, including Europe and the Global South, and examine how new technologies are embedded in complex energy systems.

Key topics include

• the role of energy technological innovation and social change in shaping energy transitions
• policy implementation and in-depth analysis for decarbonisation
• social acceptance, public engagement, and participation
• the concept of just transition and its relevance in national and local contexts
• systems thinking and future-oriented tools to evaluate energy pathways

The course integrates technical and social perspectives to prepare you for assessing sustainability trade-offs and system-wide implications in real-world energy decisions.

Knowledge:

After completing the course, you will be able to

• explain how energy systems evolve through the interplay of technological innovation, institutional change, and societal dynamics
• understand and critically assess key policy instruments, regulatory frameworks, and governance approaches in energy and climate transitions
• analyse how contextual factors such as geographic, economic, political, and cultural, shape energy pathways in both European and Global South settings
• identify the systemic challenges and trade-offs involved in pursuing sustainable and just energy transitions

Skills:

After completing the course, you will be able to

• apply interdisciplinary methods to analyse real-world energy system transformations, combining technical, policy, and societal perspectives
• use systems thinking and basic modelling or scenario tools to assess the feasibility, risks, and societal implications of different energy strategies
• develop well-reasoned, context-sensitive arguments for policy, investment, or innovation decisions in energy systems

General competence:

After completing the course, you will be able to

• reflect critically on the multi-dimensional nature of energy transitions, including questions of equity, legitimacy, and systemic impact
• synthesize and communicate complex energy challenges and solutions to audiences across technical, policy, and public domains
• collaborate effectively across disciplinary boundaries and cultural perspectives in addressing global energy and sustainability challenges

Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. The course is mandatory for students admitted to students on the Renewable Energy Systems master's programme, but students enrolled in other master's degree programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may apply to take this course as a single course student.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

The course is designed as an active learning environment. It combines analytical tools, case-based activities, and structured writing assignments to support critical reflection and student engagement.

Key features of the learning experience include emphasis on peer learning and interdisciplinary discussions, integration of real-world cases from Norway, Europe, and Global South contexts, and opportunities to explore complexity through system modelling, stakeholder analysis, and policy reasoning.

The course supports both individual reflection and collaborative exploration, enabling students to deepen their understanding of how energy systems and societies co-evolve.

Assessment consists of two written assignments, which must both be submitted in the same semester in order to pass the course:

• Student project (40%): A student project that applies knowledge gained from the course, consisting of both a written assignment and in-class presentation with in-depth discussion. The project should demonstrate fundamental understanding, incorporate real-world cases, and reflect interdisciplinary critical thinking.
• Research paper (60%): An academic paper that examines a technical and societal aspect of an energy system challenge. The paper should include formal academic writing, an extensive literature review, and the use of basic quantitative analysis tools. It will be evaluated based on the quality of the literature engagement, interdisciplinary reasoning, analytical depth, academic style, and strength of argumentation.

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.