ENGS 85.16 - Energy and Climate Systems Analysis and Decision Making

This course introduces the principles of decision analysis and systems modeling, with a focus on energy systems and climate change mitigation applications. Students will build a foundation in key decision analysis concepts and approaches, including structuring decision problems, evaluating alternatives, conducting sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, understanding risk attitudes, applying utility theory, and using multicriteria decision-making methods. In addition, bottom-up engineering optimization models of energy system operational and planning decisions as well as top-down integrated assessment models that link energy, climate, and economic systems will be introduced. To bridge theory and practice, students will apply these tools to a real-world case study in partnership with local or regional stakeholders. Through this experience, students will engage with the complexities of real decision making.

MATH 8, and either ENGS 20 or COSC 1