Lectures on “regionally led renewable-energy projects and careers”

Kyoto University has offered these lectures continually since 2015, updating the content every year, through the Graduate School of Economics and Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES). For undergraduates, the lectures are listed in the syllabus as “Special Lectures: Regionally Led Renewable-energy Projects and Careers,” offered by the Faculty of Economics.
The lectures are practical, intensive lectures on regionally led renewable-energy projects, otherwise known as “community power” projects. A wide range of speakers drawn from regional bodies, local governments, financial institutions, venture companies, national ministries and agencies and research organizations are invited to speak; additionally, participants collaborate on group work. The purpose of these lectures and activities is to impress on participants the significance of community power projects and an understanding of the people behind them, giving them food for thought in terms of their own careers. Following lectures, dialogue with speakers and discussions among themselves, participants conduct workshops to share what they’ve learned. In this way the lecture series incorporates elements of active learning, pursuing a deeper level of study through self-instruction and dialogue.