Difference between revisions of "MOOC: Powering Agriculture – Sustainable Energy for Food"
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− | + | How can we produce more food with less energy, make energy use more efficient, and upscale clean energy technologies in food value chains? Almost 1,400 people participated in the '''MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) '''“Powering Agriculture – Sustainable Energy for Food” to discuss and find answers to those questions. Over eight weeks in spring 2016 they were introduced to the Energy-Agriculture Nexus and learned about the sustainable use of energy throughout all stages of agricultural value chains.<br/> | |
− | The global initiative | + | The MOOC was offered by the global initiative ‘’ and the ''TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences''. Further contributing organizations were the ''Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO''), ''Tetra Tech'', the ''World Bank'', as well as the ''Center for Development Research (ZEF)'' of the University of Bonn.<br/> |
− | + | Find the MOOC platform with all course material [https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/index.php/welcome/ here].<br/> | |
+ | |||
+ | <br/> | ||
− | + | = About the Course<br/> = | |
+ | |||
+ | The MOOC introduced participants to challenges of and solutions for sustainable energy use in agricultural value chains. The first half of the curriculum focused on clean energy technologies while the second part highlighted economic and political aspects of projects at the interface of energy and agriculture.<br/> | ||
<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | = Background<br/> = | + | == Background<br/> == |
− | Around one third of the energy used worldwide goes into the production and [[ | + | Around one third of the energy used worldwide goes into the production and [[Agricultural_Processing|processing]] of food from field to table. Given the current energy system mix, the agrifood industry sector is however heavily dependent on fossil fuel inputs for production, transport, processing and distribution, and contributes significantly to [[Greenhouse_Gas_Emissions_from_Agriculture|greenhouse gas emissions]]. With a continuously growing world population the need for food and for energy to produce is increasing. At the same time millions of farmers and processors in developing countries and emerging economies [[Energy_Needs_in_Smallholder_Agriculture|lack access]] to clean energy technologies for [[Powering_Agriculture:_Irrigation|irrigation]], [[Solar_Drying|drying]], [[Cooling_for_Agriculture|cooling]]How can these needs be met sustainably?We have to produce [[Literature_Analysis:_Energy_in_Agriculture|more food with less energy]], make energy use [[Energy_Efficiency_Introduction|more efficient]], and introduce and upscale more [[Renewable_Energy_Resources_in_Powering_Agriculture|clean energy technologies]].<br/> |
− | + | The MOOC attented these challenges and dealt with the questions: "How can we support the use of clean energy in developing countries and emerging economies within the agriculture and food sector? How can we contribute to reducing the large quantities of agricultural products going to waste every day, and thereby contributing to food security, both globally and locally?"<br/> | |
<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | = | + | == Curriculum<br/> == |
+ | |||
+ | {| style="width: 673.39px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="width: 209.39px;" | | ||
+ | '''Introduction'''<br/> | ||
+ | |||
+ | | style="width: 92.6px;" | | ||
+ | Week 1 | ||
+ | |||
+ | | style="width: 362.6px;" | | ||
+ | Introduction to the Energy-Agriculture Nexus | ||
+ | |||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="width: 209.39px; height: 15px;" rowspan="3" | | ||
+ | '''Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency in Agricultural Value Chains'''<br/> | ||
+ | |||
+ | | style="width: 92.6px; height: 15px;" | | ||
+ | Week 2 | ||
+ | |||
+ | | style="width: 362.6px; height: 15px;" | | ||
+ | Renewable Energy Resources and Technology Overview | ||
+ | |||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="width: 92.6px;" | | ||
+ | Week 3 | ||
+ | |||
+ | | style="width: 362.6px;" | | ||
+ | Bioenergy for Agricultural Value Chains | ||
+ | |||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="width: 92.6px;" | | ||
+ | Week 4 | ||
+ | |||
+ | | style="width: 362.6px;" | | ||
+ | Energy efficiency in Agriculture | ||
+ | |||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="width: 209.39px;" rowspan="3" | | ||
+ | '''Economics of the Energy-Agriculture Nexus''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | | style="width: 92.6px;" | | ||
+ | Week 5 | ||
+ | |||
+ | | style="width: 362.6px;" | | ||
+ | Energy and Agriculture on the Macro Level | ||
+ | |||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="width: 92.6px;" | | ||
+ | Week 6 | ||
+ | |||
+ | | style="width: 362.6px;" | | ||
+ | Energy and Agriculture on the Micro Level | ||
+ | |||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="width: 92.6px;" | | ||
+ | Week 7 | ||
− | + | | style="width: 362.6px;" | | |
+ | Business Models for Energy and Agriculture Projects | ||
− | + | |- | |
+ | | style="width: 209.39px; height: 21px;" | | ||
+ | '''Summary''' | ||
− | + | | style="width: 92.6px; height: 21px;" | | |
+ | Week 8 | ||
− | + | | style="width: 362.6px; height: 21px;" | | |
+ | Summary<br/> | ||
− | + | |} | |
+ | |||
+ | <br/> | ||
+ | |||
+ | To receive the course certificate, issued by the PAEGC initiative and ''TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences'', participants had to continuously contribute to the course by earning certain “badges” for weekly quizzes, community activities, assignments and a final quiz. The most work intensive but also most interactive part was the assignments: the participants had to work in teams to elaborate a case study of a solar-powered irrigation system for a location of their choice. The second assignment asked them to develop a business model for a clean energy solution for agricultural use. The expert tutors were impressed by the submissions’ quality and range of approaches. Additional peer review further catalyzed discussions on different clean energy solutions and their applicability in different contexts. This didactical method, in addition to videos, offline reading materials and quizzes, created an active online community.<br/> | ||
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= Course Material<br/> = | = Course Material<br/> = | ||
− | + | The course material will stay accesible to the public on the [https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/index.php/welcome/ platform]. Each week contained a video, a reader and additional material.<br/> | |
+ | |||
+ | <br/> | ||
− | + | == Week 1: Introduction to the Energy-Agriculture Nexus<br/> == | |
*Introduction to the Energy-Agriculture Nexus<br/> | *Introduction to the Energy-Agriculture Nexus<br/> | ||
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<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | Find the videos of week 1 via the following links: <br/> | + | Find the '''videos''' of week 1 via the following links: <br/> |
− | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu9kWG-uCEc&feature=player_embedded Introduction to the Energy | + | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu9kWG-uCEc&feature=player_embedded Introduction to the Energy-Agriculture Nexus] by the Partners of "Powering Agriculture - An Energy Grand Challenge for Development"<br/> |
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTloXENYseI&feature=player_embedded Introduction to the MOOC] <span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences</span></span> | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTloXENYseI&feature=player_embedded Introduction to the MOOC] <span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences</span></span> | ||
− | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUiRC1PsNpU&feature=player_embedded Expert Interview with Katie Kennedy Freeman], Global Food and Agriculture Global Practice (GFADR), World Bank | + | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUiRC1PsNpU&feature=player_embedded Expert Interview with Katie Kennedy Freeman], Global Food and Agriculture Global Practice (GFADR), World Bank<br/> |
+ | <br/> | ||
− | Further material:<br/> | + | '''Further material''':<br/> |
*[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Script_1_Week_1.pdf Reader]<br/> | *[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Script_1_Week_1.pdf Reader]<br/> | ||
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<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | == Week 2-4: | + | == Week 2-4: Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency in Agricultural Value Chains<br/> == |
'''Week 2: Renewable Energy Resources and Technology Overview'''<br/> | '''Week 2: Renewable Energy Resources and Technology Overview'''<br/> | ||
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<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | Find the video of week 2 via the following link:<br/> | + | Find the '''video''' of week 2 via the following link:<br/> |
− | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M-vLXrfdUs Renewable Energy Technology Overview] <span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences</span></span> | + | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M-vLXrfdUs Renewable Energy Technology Overview] <span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences</span></span><br/> |
− | Further material:<br/> | + | '''Further material''':<br/> |
*Article on renewable energy resources and technologies [[Renewable Energy Resources in Powering Agriculture|here]]<br/> | *Article on renewable energy resources and technologies [[Renewable Energy Resources in Powering Agriculture|here]]<br/> | ||
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<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | <span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 0.85em;"><span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Find the video of week 3 via the following link:</span></span><br/> | + | <span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 0.85em;"><span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Find the '''video '''of week 3 via the following link:</span></span><br/> |
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PD28KJ0w3U&feature=player_embedded Bioenergy Resources and Technologies] by Miguel Franco, Powering Agriculture Task Support Order (PASTO) & Director at Tetra Tech - Bionenergy and Environment<br/> | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PD28KJ0w3U&feature=player_embedded Bioenergy Resources and Technologies] by Miguel Franco, Powering Agriculture Task Support Order (PASTO) & Director at Tetra Tech - Bionenergy and Environment<br/> | ||
− | Further material:<br/> | + | '''Further material''':<br/> |
*Article on bioenergy resources and technologies [[Bioenergy Resources and Technologies|here]]<br/> | *Article on bioenergy resources and technologies [[Bioenergy Resources and Technologies|here]]<br/> | ||
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*[[Energy Efficiency Introduction|Energy Efficiency in the Energy-Agriculture Nexus]]<br/> | *[[Energy Efficiency Introduction|Energy Efficiency in the Energy-Agriculture Nexus]]<br/> | ||
*[[Energy Auditing|Energy Audits]]<br/> | *[[Energy Auditing|Energy Audits]]<br/> | ||
− | *Life-cycle Assessment | + | *Life-cycle Assessment<br/> |
*Case Studies<br/> | *Case Studies<br/> | ||
<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | Find the video of week 4 via the following link: <br/> | + | Find the '''video''' of week 4 via the following link: <br/> |
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU2lB9RobUo&feature=player_embedded Energy Efficiency in the Energy-Agriculture Nexus] by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences<br/> | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU2lB9RobUo&feature=player_embedded Energy Efficiency in the Energy-Agriculture Nexus] by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences<br/> | ||
− | Further material:<br/> | + | '''Further material''':<br/> |
*Article on energy efficiency [[Energy Efficiency Introduction|here]]<br/> | *Article on energy efficiency [[Energy Efficiency Introduction|here]]<br/> | ||
− | *Article on energy auditing [[ | + | *Article on energy auditing [[Energy Auditing|here]]<br/> |
*[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/PAEGC_MOOC_READER_4.pdf Reader]<br/> | *[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/PAEGC_MOOC_READER_4.pdf Reader]<br/> | ||
*[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/index.php/topic/additional-material-week-4/ Additional material]<br/> | *[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/index.php/topic/additional-material-week-4/ Additional material]<br/> | ||
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<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | == Week 5-7: | + | == Week 5-7: Economics of the Energy-Agriculture Nexus<br/> == |
'''Week 5: Policies and Regulations for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus'''<br/> | '''Week 5: Policies and Regulations for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus'''<br/> | ||
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<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | Find the video of week 5 via the following link: <br/> | + | Find the'''video '''of week 5 via the following link: <br/> |
*[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/index.php/topic/videos-week-5/ Policies and Regulations for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus] by Alisher Mirzabaev, Senior Researcher at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn<br/> | *[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/index.php/topic/videos-week-5/ Policies and Regulations for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus] by Alisher Mirzabaev, Senior Researcher at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn<br/> | ||
− | Further material:<br/> | + | '''Further material''':<br/> |
*Article on policies and regulations for the energy-agriculture nexus [[Policies and Regulations for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus|here]]<br/> | *Article on policies and regulations for the energy-agriculture nexus [[Policies and Regulations for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus|here]]<br/> | ||
− | *Article on a c<span dir="auto">omparison of various policy tools for promoting renewable energies </span>[[ | + | *Article on a c<span dir="auto">omparison of various policy tools for promoting renewable energies </span>[[Comparison of various Policy Tools for Promoting Renewable Energies|here]]<br/> |
*[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/PAEGC_MOOC_READER_5.pdf Reader]<br/> | *[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/PAEGC_MOOC_READER_5.pdf Reader]<br/> | ||
*[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/index.php/topic/additional-material-week-5/ Additional material]<br/> | *[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/index.php/topic/additional-material-week-5/ Additional material]<br/> | ||
− | <br/>'''Week 6: Energy and Agriculture on Micro Level'''<br/> | + | <br/>'''Week 6: Energy and Agriculture on the Micro Level'''<br/> |
*[[Techno-Economic Analysis in Agricultural Value Chains|Micro-level: Investment Planning]]<br/> | *[[Techno-Economic Analysis in Agricultural Value Chains|Micro-level: Investment Planning]]<br/> | ||
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<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | Find the video of week 6 via the following link: <br/> | + | Find the '''video''' of week 6 via the following link: <br/> |
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz9JSg0VY-0&feature=player_embedded Micro Economics of the Energy Agriculture Nexus] by Stefania Bracco, expert in Energy-Smart Agri-Food Chains working for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)<br/> | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz9JSg0VY-0&feature=player_embedded Micro Economics of the Energy Agriculture Nexus] by Stefania Bracco, expert in Energy-Smart Agri-Food Chains working for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)<br/> | ||
− | Further material:<br/> | + | '''Further material''':<br/> |
*Article on t<span dir="auto">echno-economic analysis in agricultural value chains</span> [[Techno-Economic Analysis in Agricultural Value Chains|here]]<br/> | *Article on t<span dir="auto">echno-economic analysis in agricultural value chains</span> [[Techno-Economic Analysis in Agricultural Value Chains|here]]<br/> | ||
− | *Article on a<span dir="auto">gri-food enterprises in the nexus [[Agri- | + | *Article on a<span dir="auto">gri-food enterprises in the nexus [[Agri-food Enterprises in the Energy-Agriculture Nexus|here]]</span><br/> |
*[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/READER_WEEK_6.pdf Reader]<br/> | *[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/READER_WEEK_6.pdf Reader]<br/> | ||
*[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/index.php/topic/additional-material-week-6/ Additional material]<br/> | *[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/index.php/topic/additional-material-week-6/ Additional material]<br/> | ||
− | <br/>'''Week 7: Business Models for Projects in Energy-Agriculture Nexus'''<br/> | + | <br/>'''Week 7: Business Models for Projects in the Energy-Agriculture Nexus'''<br/> |
*[[Business Models for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus|Business Models for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus]]<br/> | *[[Business Models for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus|Business Models for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus]]<br/> | ||
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<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | Find the video of week 7 via the following link: <br/> | + | Find the '''video '''of week 7 via the following link: <br/> |
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILLr-uWE4ZE&feature=player_embedded Business Models for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus] <span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences</span></span><br/> | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILLr-uWE4ZE&feature=player_embedded Business Models for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus] <span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences</span></span><br/> | ||
− | Further material:<br/> | + | '''Further material''':<br/> |
*Article on business models for the energy-agriculture nexus [[Business Models for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus|here]]<br/> | *Article on business models for the energy-agriculture nexus [[Business Models for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus|here]]<br/> | ||
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== Week 8: Summary<br/> == | == Week 8: Summary<br/> == | ||
− | + | Find the'''video '''of week 8 via the following link: <br/> | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | Find the video of week 8 via the following link: <br/> | ||
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxdjvSmEd6w&feature=player_embedded Summary of the MOOC] <span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences</span></span><br/> | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxdjvSmEd6w&feature=player_embedded Summary of the MOOC] <span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="line-height: 20.4px; font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences</span></span><br/> | ||
− | Further material:<br/> | + | '''Further material''':<br/> |
*[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/PAEGC_MOOC_COMPILED_READER.pdf Compiled course reader of the MOOC]<br/> | *[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/PAEGC_MOOC_COMPILED_READER.pdf Compiled course reader of the MOOC]<br/> | ||
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<br/> | <br/> | ||
− | = | + | = About the Organiser<br/> = |
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− | + | '''[http://poweringag.org/ Powering Agriculture – An Energy Grand Challenge (PAEGC)] '''seeks to identify and support new and sustainable approaches to accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy solutions for increasing agriculture productivity and/or value in developing countries. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Duke Energy, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) have combined resources to fund Powering Agriculture. The ''Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) ''supports the initiative on behalf of BMZ.<br/> | |
− | + | '''''[https://www.th-koeln.de/en/homepage_26.php TH Köln] – University of Applied Sciences'''''sees itself as University of Technology, Arts, and Sciences. With its disciplinary and cultural diversity and openness, TH Köln’s activities are aimed on cultural and technological breakthroughs of high societal relevance; TH Köln contributes substantially to resolving social challenges.<br/> | |
<br/> | <br/> | ||
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= Further Information<br/> = | = Further Information<br/> = | ||
− | *[ | + | *'''[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/index.php/welcome/ MOOC Platform]'''<br/> |
− | *[[Opportunities for Agri-Food Chains to become Energy-Smart|Opportunities for Agri-Food Chains to become Energy-Smart]]<br/> | + | *PAEGC Study: "[[Opportunities for Agri-Food Chains to become Energy-Smart|Opportunities for Agri-Food Chains to become Energy-Smart]]"<br/> |
− | *[[ | + | *Overview of PAEGC: [[Powering_Agriculture:_An_Energy_Grand_Challenge_for_Development|Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development]]<br/> |
*[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/PAEGC_MOOC_COMPILED_READER.pdf Reader of the MOOC "Powering Agriculture - Sustainable Energy for Food"]<br/> | *[https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/var/app/wp385P/2624/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/PAEGC_MOOC_COMPILED_READER.pdf Reader of the MOOC "Powering Agriculture - Sustainable Energy for Food"]<br/> | ||
− | *[[ | + | *GIZ Publication: [[Manual_and_Tools_for_Promoting_SPIS_–_Stocktaking_and_Analysis_Report|Manual and Tools for Promoting Solar Powered Irrigation Systems]]<br/> |
+ | [[Category:Powering_Agriculture]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Capacity_Development]] | ||
+ | [[Category:User_Training]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Case_Study]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Water-Energy-Food_Nexus]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Energy_Use]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Best_Practices]] | ||
[[Category:University]] | [[Category:University]] | ||
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Revision as of 08:24, 24 May 2016
How can we produce more food with less energy, make energy use more efficient, and upscale clean energy technologies in food value chains? Almost 1,400 people participated in the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) “Powering Agriculture – Sustainable Energy for Food” to discuss and find answers to those questions. Over eight weeks in spring 2016 they were introduced to the Energy-Agriculture Nexus and learned about the sustainable use of energy throughout all stages of agricultural value chains.
The MOOC was offered by the global initiative ‘’ and the TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences. Further contributing organizations were the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Tetra Tech, the World Bank, as well as the Center for Development Research (ZEF) of the University of Bonn.
Find the MOOC platform with all course material here.
About the Course
The MOOC introduced participants to challenges of and solutions for sustainable energy use in agricultural value chains. The first half of the curriculum focused on clean energy technologies while the second part highlighted economic and political aspects of projects at the interface of energy and agriculture.
Background
Around one third of the energy used worldwide goes into the production and processing of food from field to table. Given the current energy system mix, the agrifood industry sector is however heavily dependent on fossil fuel inputs for production, transport, processing and distribution, and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. With a continuously growing world population the need for food and for energy to produce is increasing. At the same time millions of farmers and processors in developing countries and emerging economies lack access to clean energy technologies for irrigation, drying, coolingHow can these needs be met sustainably?We have to produce more food with less energy, make energy use more efficient, and introduce and upscale more clean energy technologies.
The MOOC attented these challenges and dealt with the questions: "How can we support the use of clean energy in developing countries and emerging economies within the agriculture and food sector? How can we contribute to reducing the large quantities of agricultural products going to waste every day, and thereby contributing to food security, both globally and locally?"
Curriculum
Introduction |
Week 1 |
Introduction to the Energy-Agriculture Nexus |
Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency in Agricultural Value Chains |
Week 2 |
Renewable Energy Resources and Technology Overview |
Week 3 |
Bioenergy for Agricultural Value Chains | |
Week 4 |
Energy efficiency in Agriculture | |
Economics of the Energy-Agriculture Nexus |
Week 5 |
Energy and Agriculture on the Macro Level |
Week 6 |
Energy and Agriculture on the Micro Level | |
Week 7 |
Business Models for Energy and Agriculture Projects | |
Summary |
Week 8 |
Summary |
To receive the course certificate, issued by the PAEGC initiative and TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences, participants had to continuously contribute to the course by earning certain “badges” for weekly quizzes, community activities, assignments and a final quiz. The most work intensive but also most interactive part was the assignments: the participants had to work in teams to elaborate a case study of a solar-powered irrigation system for a location of their choice. The second assignment asked them to develop a business model for a clean energy solution for agricultural use. The expert tutors were impressed by the submissions’ quality and range of approaches. Additional peer review further catalyzed discussions on different clean energy solutions and their applicability in different contexts. This didactical method, in addition to videos, offline reading materials and quizzes, created an active online community.
Course Material
The course material will stay accesible to the public on the platform. Each week contained a video, a reader and additional material.
Week 1: Introduction to the Energy-Agriculture Nexus
- Introduction to the Energy-Agriculture Nexus
- Energy Input in Agricultural Value Chains
Find the videos of week 1 via the following links:
- Introduction to the Energy-Agriculture Nexus by the Partners of "Powering Agriculture - An Energy Grand Challenge for Development"
- Introduction to the MOOC by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences
- Expert Interview with Katie Kennedy Freeman, Global Food and Agriculture Global Practice (GFADR), World Bank
Further material:
Week 2-4: Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency in Agricultural Value Chains
Week 2: Renewable Energy Resources and Technology Overview
- Renewable Energy Resources and Technology Overview
- Solar Energy – Photovoltaics
- Solar Energy – Thermal Systems
- Application of Solar Energy Technologies in Agricultural Value Chains
- Case Studies
Find the video of week 2 via the following link:
- Renewable Energy Technology Overview by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences
Further material:
- Article on renewable energy resources and technologies here
- Reader
- Additional material
Week 3: Bioenergy Overview
- Use of Bioenergy in Agricultural Value Chains
- Bioenergy Resources and Technologies
- Application in Agricultural Value Chains
- Case Studies
Find the video of week 3 via the following link:
- Bioenergy Resources and Technologies by Miguel Franco, Powering Agriculture Task Support Order (PASTO) & Director at Tetra Tech - Bionenergy and Environment
Further material:
- Article on bioenergy resources and technologies here
- Reader
- Additional material
Week 4: Energy Efficiency in the Energy-Agriculture Nexus
- Energy Efficiency in the Energy-Agriculture Nexus
- Energy Audits
- Life-cycle Assessment
- Case Studies
Find the video of week 4 via the following link:
- Energy Efficiency in the Energy-Agriculture Nexus by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences
Further material:
- Article on energy efficiency here
- Article on energy auditing here
- Reader
- Additional material
Week 5-7: Economics of the Energy-Agriculture Nexus
Week 5: Policies and Regulations for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus
- Macro-level: Policies and Regulations for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus
- Case Studies
Find thevideo of week 5 via the following link:
- Policies and Regulations for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus by Alisher Mirzabaev, Senior Researcher at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn
Further material:
- Article on policies and regulations for the energy-agriculture nexus here
- Article on a comparison of various policy tools for promoting renewable energies here
- Reader
- Additional material
Week 6: Energy and Agriculture on the Micro Level
- Micro-level: Investment Planning
- Feasibility Analysis
- Cost-benefit Analysis
- Case Studies
Find the video of week 6 via the following link:
- Micro Economics of the Energy Agriculture Nexus by Stefania Bracco, expert in Energy-Smart Agri-Food Chains working for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Further material:
- Article on techno-economic analysis in agricultural value chains here
- Article on agri-food enterprises in the nexus here
- Reader
- Additional material
Week 7: Business Models for Projects in the Energy-Agriculture Nexus
- Business Models for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus
- Grid-connected Projects
- Off-grid Projects
- Value Chain Integrated Generation and Supply
Find the video of week 7 via the following link:
- Business Models for the Energy-Agriculture Nexus by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences
Further material:
- Article on business models for the energy-agriculture nexus here
- Case Study by FAO: "Techno-economic Analysis of Solar Pumps for sustainable Irrigation in Bangladesh"
- Reader, including 3 real life examples: a gasification power plant fueled with rice husks in Vietnam; a solar dryer for drying fruits; and biogas plant for a farm
- Additional material
Week 8: Summary
Find thevideo of week 8 via the following link:
- Summary of the MOOC by Prof. Ramchandra Bhandari, TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences
Further material:
About the Organiser
Powering Agriculture – An Energy Grand Challenge (PAEGC) seeks to identify and support new and sustainable approaches to accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy solutions for increasing agriculture productivity and/or value in developing countries. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Duke Energy, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) have combined resources to fund Powering Agriculture. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) supports the initiative on behalf of BMZ.
TH Köln – University of Applied Sciencessees itself as University of Technology, Arts, and Sciences. With its disciplinary and cultural diversity and openness, TH Köln’s activities are aimed on cultural and technological breakthroughs of high societal relevance; TH Köln contributes substantially to resolving social challenges.
Further Information
- MOOC Platform
- PAEGC Study: "Opportunities for Agri-Food Chains to become Energy-Smart"
- Overview of PAEGC: Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development
- Reader of the MOOC "Powering Agriculture - Sustainable Energy for Food"
- GIZ Publication: Manual and Tools for Promoting Solar Powered Irrigation Systems