D-Lab II: Energy & Development - Design & Dissemination
Offered Spring 2010
Thursdays only from 10:00am to 11:50am in (location TBD)
To Register:
This course is currently offered through the Transportation Technology and Policy (TTP) Graduate Group in two formats.
* For credit course, 3 units (TTP 289A-007/CRN# 81477)
* Pass/no pass, 1 unit (TTP 289B-007/CRN# 81487)
Instructor: Kurt Kornbluth
Eligibility:
Graduate level and upper division undergraduate students interested in energy issues in the developing world, including students in engineering, the social sciences, and graduate school of management.
Course Description:
Are energy issues in developing countries technological, business-related, social, or political? What are appropriate technologies? Who is the customer? How do you develop a business plan in a developing world context?
This hands-on class will focus on approaches to overcoming the barriers for the design and dissemination of existing energy technologies in the developing world. Curriculum will include practical labs, a business development clinic, case studies, independent research, and guest speakers. Students will form groups (E-teams) and focus on a particular energy issue or problem to tackle within a targeted region.
Teams will examine and develop possible solutions to the issue(s) they have selected, including particular technology design as well as delivery strategy and/or development of a business model. Collaboration with faculty mentors, private sector experts, non-governmental organizations, and partner communities will serve to provide student teams with context and direction.
In addition to a final presentation, E-teams will have a core project they will complete that will include one or more of the following: Product prototype, business plan, grant application, or investment pitch.
D-lab II is the second of a 2-part series focusing on energy in developing countries and is based on the MIT D-lab series.