D-Lab II
Energy & Development: Design and Dissemination
Offered Spring 2010
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.
This course is offered in two formats:
* For credit course, 3 units
* Pass/no pass, 1 unit
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.