Master
2022/2023
Business Model Innovation in Energy Engineering
Type:
Elective course (Science, Technology and Innovation Management and Policy)
Area of studies:
Management
Delivered by:
Department of Educational Programmes
When:
1 year, 4 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Instructors:
Thomas Thurner
Master’s programme:
Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
32
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Course Description
The course consists of one module and is designed for master students of the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE). The course length is 114 academic hours in total of which 32 hours are classroom hours for lectures and 82 hours are devoted to self-study.
Pre-requisites
• Interest in energy engineering and energy-related business activities
• Creative thinking
Abstract:
The term "business model" describes how a firm creates value for their customers and how these activities are monetized. Through the emergence of new technologies, established business models become obsolete, which enables the rise of new business models (business model innovation or BMI). While business models have always been in flux and are constantly subject to scrutiny, how to change the fundamentals of a business is shrouded in mystery. The relative shortage of studies on business model transformation is probably owed to the high complexity involved in moving from one business logic to another. In short, this course teaches how newly emerging technologies are converted into business models and in consequence commercial success.
The technological area that builds the foundation of this course is energy engineering. Few topics have become so central to economic success like the different forms of energy production and energy trading. Hence, this course studies business model transformation through the emergence of new energy-related technologies. It focuses on the different translation mechanisms of research and development into energy-related business models by various types of actors: large producers, international consortia or start-ups. While there are ample teaching offerings to discuss how the discovery, the abundance or absence of energy resources has shaped economic development and the structure of societies, teaching offerings that shed light on the micro-level of energy engineering are rare.
The technological field of energy engineering should be understood in its broadest sense. Next to classical energy carriers or renewable sources of energy, this course also sheds light on different ways of energy distribution, energy retail, energy storage or IT solution around energy consumption.
The course builds on the following technologies:
Fossil carriers (coal, natural gas, petroleum)
Renewables: Water, Wind and Sun
Nuclear technologies, both fission and fusion
Hydrogen technologies
Carbon credit trading
Blockchain and the future of energy trading though micro-grids
Battery technologies
Learning Objectives
- Students will understand the complex role of business model innovation and transformation in the successful commercialization of energy technologies in the strategy setting of various economic actors.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Students will understand the technical developments in the different technologies, their advantages and disadvantages and prospective future developments in the field and dominant cases of technology comparison. The students will get familiarized with the theoretical aspects and practical implications of business model innovation. This will enable students to evaluate the suitability of business models and to estimate their potential success.
Course Contents
- Business Model Innovation
- Fossil carriers (coal, natural gas)
- Renewables: Water, Wind and Sun
- Nuclear technologies, both fission and fusion
- Hydrogen technologies
- Carbon credit trading
- Blockchain technology for energy
- Battery technologies
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Daniel M. Martinez, Ben W. Ebenhack, & Travis P. Wagner. (2019). Energy Efficiency : Concepts and Calculations. Elsevier Science.
- Tanay Sıdkı Uyar. (2020). Accelerating the Transition to a 100% Renewable Energy Era (Vol. 1st ed. 2020). Springer.
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Bocken, N. M. P., Short, S. W., Rana, P., & Evans, S. (2014). A literature and practice review to develop sustainable business model archetypes. Journal of Cleaner Production ; Volume 65, Page 42-56 ; ISSN 0959-6526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.11.039