Incorporating Social and Environmental Ethics into the Design and Operation of Energy Systems: A Pedagogical Perspective

The way an energy system is designed and operated has a direct impact on the environment (during normal operation) and the society (mostly during major disturbances and blackouts). Electrical engineering students in general learn about the environmental concerns associated with various power generation technologies as well as the importance of the availability of power for the society. However, these topics are typically not discussed in sufficient detail to teach the students about the delicate interrelation between energy, environment and the society. Most assignments, class activities or course projects focus on engineering excellence and cost efficiency. What seems to be missing is having the students exposed to realistic operation and design scenarios that present one or more ethical dilemmas. It is only then that the students learn to make environmentally and socially aware decisions and view the problem beyond engineering principles alone. This paper presents a pedagogical perspective on developing educational modules and active learning exercises centered on social and environmental ethics, suitable for graduate and undergraduate courses that focus on the design and operation of energy systems.