GREENING THE ECONOMY: LESSONS FROM SCANDINAVIA

How can we work with nature to design and build our cities? This course explores urban nature and nature-based solutions in cities in Europe and around the world. We connect together the key themes of cities, nature, sustainability and innovation. We discuss how to assess what nature-based solutions can achieve in cities. We examine how innovation is taking place in cities in relation to nature. And we analyse the potential of nature-based solutions to help respond to climate change and sustainability challenges. This course was launched in January 2020, and it was updated in September 2021 with new podcasts, films and publications. The course is produced by Lund University in cooperation with partners from Naturvation – a collaborative project on finding synergies between cities, nature, sustainability and innovation. The course features researchers, practitioners and entrepreneurs from a range organisations.   

How can we shape our urban development towards sustainable and prosperous futures? This course explores sustainable cities as engines for greening the economy in Europe and around the world. We place cities in the context of sustainable urban transformation and climate change. We connect the key trends of urbanization, decarbonisation and sustainability. We examine how visions, experiments and innovations can transform urban areas. And we look at practices (what is happening in cities at present) and opportunities (what are the possibilities for cities going forwards into the future). This course was launched in January 2016, and it was updated in September 2021 with new podcasts, films and publications. The course is produced by Lund University in cooperation with WWF and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability who work with creating sustainable cities. The course features researchers, practitioners and entrepreneurs from a range organisations.

How can we govern consumption and the sharing economy in our cities? This course explores cities, consumption and the sharing economy in Europe and around the world. We connect together the key themes of the sharing economy, cities, governance, consumption and urban sustainability. We explore how the sharing economy can contribute to increasing social, environmental and economic sustainability. And we argue that it is imperative that the sharing economy is shaped and designed to advance urban sustainability. This course was launched in May 2020, and it was updated in September 2021 with new podcasts, films and publications. This course is produced by Lund University in cooperation with partners from Sharing Cities Sweden – a national program for the sharing economy in cities with a focus on governance and sustainability. It features researchers, practitioners and entrepreneurs from a range organisations.

Kursperiod 1/11 till 19/12 2025 Innehåll Batterivärdekedjan: från processer uppströms till nedströms Åldrande batterier: Hur batterier förändras över tiden och vilka risker det är med. Toxicitet: Fokus på material och deras påverkan på miljö och hälsa. Säkerhetsaspekter: Riskbedömning och hantering av batterier i olika skeden av deras livscykel. Livscykelanalys: Miljö- och hållbarhetsperspektiv. Kursens upplägg Kursen kommer att ske som en synkron onlinekurs (fjärrundervisning) för maximal flexibilitet för deltagarna. Kursen kommer att innehålla onlineföreläsningar, diskussionstillfällen, ett kort individuellt projekt, skriftliga reflektioner. För att slutföra kursen krävs en arbetsinsats på ca 40 h. Du kommer att få kunskap om Kursdeltagaren kommer att lära sig följande: Grunderna för batterisäkerhetsfrågor och toxicitet längs batterivärdekedjan En introduktion till livscykelanalys Kunskaper för hantering av åldrande batterier Vem vänder sig kursen till? Kursen vänder sig till personer inom logistik, automation, energiproduktion och byggsektorn. Främst de som hanterar batterier i fordonsflottor, arbetar med säkerhets- och hållbarhetsfrågor inom fordonsindustrin, arbetar med integration av batterier i lokala och nationella energisystem/infrastruktur. Helst har deltagarna en utbildning inom teknik eller naturvetenskap. Deltagare bör ha vissa förkunskaper om batterier, genom teknisk/naturvetenskaplig universitetsutbildning, eller genom en grundläggande öppen kurs. 

Understanding and optimizing battery performance is crucial for advancing electrification, sustainable mobility, and renewable energy systems. This course provides a comprehensive overview of battery performance, ageing processes, and modelling techniques to improve efficiency, reliability, and service life. Participants will explore battery operation from a whole-system perspective, including its integration in electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructure, and energy grids. The course covers both physics-based and data-driven modelling approaches at the cell, module, and pack levels, equipping learners with tools to monitor, predict, and optimize battery performance in real-world applications. Through this course, you will gain the ability to assess battery health, model degradation, and evaluate second-life applications from both technical and economic standpoints. Course content Battery fundamentals and degradation mechanisms Battery modelling Battery monitoring and diagnostics Operational strategies for battery systems Techno-economic performance assessment Battery second-life applications   You will learn to: Explain the principles of battery operation and degradation mechanisms. Develop battery performance models using both physics-based and data-driven approaches. Apply methods for State of Health (SOH) estimation and Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prediction. Analyze key factors influencing battery lifespan economics in different applications. Evaluate battery second-life potential and identify suitable applications. Target group: Professionals in energy, automotive, R&D, or sustainability roles Engineers and data scientists transitioning into battery technologies Technical specialists working with electrification, battery management systems, or energy storage

Why markets for electricity? How do they function? This introductory course explains how incentives shape outcomes in the electricity market. It brings out the implications for businesses and society of electricity pricing in the shadow of the energy transition. The course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the electricity market's role in ensuring an efficient electricity supply and addressing key public questions, such as What is the purpose of the electricity market? Why do electricity prices vary by location? How can electricity prices surge despite low production costs? Are there alternative ways to sell electricity? Why is international electricity trading important? The course emphasizes the role of economic incentives in shaping market behavior and addresses critical issues such as market power and its consequences. You will also explore the inefficiencies stemming from unpriced aspects of energy supply and the role of regulation in mitigating these inefficiencies. As the global push toward decarbonization accelerates, the course delves into the challenges posed by large-scale electrification, the implications of climate legislation for energy systems, and the impact of protectionist national policies. The course offers a comprehensive introduction to the electricity market, provides you with analytical tools for independent analysis and brings you to the forefront of current energy policy debate. The course will enable you to Describe the interaction between the electricity system and the electricity market. Explain how the electricity market can increase the efficiency of electricity supply, e.g. with respect to market integration. Show how market power reduces the efficiency of the electricity market. Categorize fundamental market imperfections and describe their solutions. Explain economic and political challenges associated with the green transition. Apply economic tools to analyze the electricity market and examine how changes to the electricity system and regulation affect market outcomes. Target group This course is designed for engineers and managers eager to enhance their understanding of electricity markets within the context of the industrial green energy transition. The purpose is to increase the understanding of the scope of the electricity market and its role in achieving efficient electricity supply. Digital seminars The course includes five scheduled digital seminars. The seminars will be recorded to provide flexibility in completing the course, although we highly recommend to participate in the seminars if possible. November 4, 9:15 - 12:00 November 11, 9:15 - 12:00 November 25, 9:15 - 12:00 December 2, 9:15 - 12:00 December 16, 9:15 - 12:00   Study effort: 80 hrs