FutureLearn, the leading social learning platform, has announced a new partnership with InnoEnergy, Europe’s sustainable energy engine supported by the EIT. The partnership will see InnoEnergy host a range of new online education courses in the sustainable energy sector, including blockchain technology, smart grids and solar photovoltaics, on the FutureLearn platform.
The massive open online courses (MOOCs) are aimed at cleantech industry professionals, and members of the public can also register. Designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to develop new innovations in sustainable energy, the first courses are focused on a range of topics that are set to dominate the innovation agenda over the next few years, including blockchain, smart grids for smart cities and the business potential of solar photovoltaics.
Frank Gielen, Education Director at InnoEnergy, says: “The future of sustainable energy depends on innovation. This partnership with FutureLearn is an important part of our plan to embed innovation into the industry by empowering cleantech professionals to develop commercially-viable new products and services that can make a real difference.”
Nigel Smith, Head of Content at FutureLearn, says: “We’re delighted to be working with InnoEnergy to help educate our learners about sustainable energy. There’s so much hype about blockchain and its potential disruptiveness to the energy sector, so it’s fantastic for us to have a course from the experts who can explain to our learners exactly what blockchain is, how it works, and what it means for the future of energy. These are the questions on a lot of people’s minds today. Similarly, with solar power and smart grids, people and professionals want to understand more about these subjects and we’re proud to provide the platform to make these subjects easily accessible.”
‘Blockchain in the Energy Sector’, available to join now, offers a clear overview of how and why blockchain will take over the energy sector, optimising old processes and empowering customers like never before. Participants will begin to understand how Blockchain is creating a new paradigm, where users can buy and sell energy from and to each other. To get an insight into course content before registering, participants can watch an InnoEnergy webinar on the use of the blockchain for smart contracts and billing settlement.
‘Smart Grids for Smart Cities’, also available to join now, provides a technological and behavioural framework to help citizens, companies and cities to reduce their carbon footprint. Participants will look at energy production models and use basic tools to integrate themselves into the energy production cycle. Throughout the course, learners will find out how smart grids work, at both a small and large scale, collect big data from smart grids and analyse it to understand energy consumption, and finally, look at how they can lobby public institutions to boost energy innovation and sustainability in both urban and rural environments.
‘Go Solar PV: The Business Potential of Solar Photovoltaics’, examines the potential solar PV today and in the near future. Participants will explore technical challenges, and assess commercial opportunities as this technology becomes more affordable, scalable and accessible. All courses are open for registration now. Joining is free, though or participants can upgrade for additional benefits.
Founded by The Open University in 2012, FutureLearn is a leading social learning platform, enabling online learning through conversation. With over 6.5 million people from over 200 countries across the globe – a community that is continuously growing – it offers free and paid for online courses from world-leading UK and international universities, as well as organisations such as the European Space Agency, the British Council and Cancer Research UK. FutureLearn’s course portfolio covers a wealth of areas to promote lifelong learning for a range of applications including general interest, an introduction to university studies, continuing professional development and fully online postgraduate degrees.
InnoEnergy is the innovation engine for sustainable energy across Europe supported by the EIT. It supports and invests in innovation at every stage of the journey – from classroom to end-customer. With its network of partners, it builds connections across Europe, bringing together inventors and industry, graduates and employers, researchers and entrepreneurs, businesses and markets.
It works in three essential areas of the innovation mix. Firstly, Education to help create an informed and ambitious workforce that understands the demands of sustainability and the needs of industry. Secondly, Innovation Projects to bring together ideas, inventors and industry to create commercially attractive technologies that deliver real results to customers. Thirdly, Business Creation Services to support entrepreneurs and start-ups who are expanding Europe’s energy ecosystem with their innovative offerings.
Bringing these disciplines together maximizes the impact of each, accelerates the development of market-ready solutions, and creates a fertile environment in which it can sell the innovative results of its work.
