Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business is launching a new program this fall that offers students a deep dive into the business of renewables to better prepare energy professionals for the changing marketplace. Renewable and Sustainable Energy, a new specialization available within the Master of Management in Energy (MME) program, will focus on the knowledge and skills needed to bring renewable energy projects from concept to completion.
“Solar and wind generation were among the fastest-growing sectors of energy employment in 2019, and we expect that trend to continue in the post-COVID-19 environment,” said Ira Solomon, Freeman School dean. “This new specialization in renewable energy continues our commitment to preparing students for careers across the energy spectrum.”
Energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass currently make up about 25% of global electricity generation, but that figure is expected to rise to 45% by 2040, creating a demand for professionals who are knowledgeable in the field. In addition to the MME program’s core curriculum in energy, the specialization requires nine credit hours of electives in renewable and sustainable content, which includes courses such as Energy for Sustainable Development and Renewables in the Electric Power Sector. A new course, Renewable Energy Project Development and Finance, is being added in Fall 2020.
The Freeman School’s Master of Management in Energy is a STEM-designated program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the business of energy. Since its launch in 2011, the program has focused primarily on fossil fuels, but with the growing role of renewables in the nation’s energy mix, Pierre Conner, executive director of the Tulane Energy Institute and director of the MME program, says the new specialization fills an important niche in the market.
“Over the next several years, it’s going to be increasingly important for energy professionals across all sectors to have a thorough understanding of renewable energy finance and development,” said Conner. “This new specialization provides that foundation, and I couldn’t be more excited to offer it to students beginning this fall.”
