The GREEN Program (TGP) is an award winning experiential education program for young leaders in sustainable development. Created for students, by students, TGP has introduced a new model for education abroad driven by a desire to provide purposeful, hands-on industry exposure at a fraction of the time and cost of semester-long abroad programs. Join us for 8-10 days during winter, spring, and summer break as we explore Iceland's renewable energy & sustainability practices. With a sustainability foundation, Iceland is a top destination for awe-inspiring adventure travel and eco-tourism. Home to jaw-dropping natural landscapes & pristine topography as well as authentic Nordic culture & welcoming atmosphere, Iceland is the destination for experiential sustainability education, bucket list adventuring, and unique cultural immersion.
This course is a 50+ hour intensive program held in partnership with The GREEN Program and Reykjavik University's Iceland School of Energy and students from all majors are encouraged to participate. During the course students will take classes taught by faculty on topics related to sustainability, hydropower, geology, bio-fuels, energy economics and geothermal energy. The course emphasizes hands-on learning and also includes renewable energy facility visits to hydropower plants, geothermal power plants, a bio-fuel location, and other environmental and community sites. Students will visit various energy facilities to examine their operation and better understand how these facilities impact the environment and serve society. Before each power plant visit, students will attend a lecture at Reykjavik University on power production and its role in fueling economies and its potential impacts on the environment. During the course, students also form interdisciplinary groups and develop a final Capstone Project on a specific renewable energy problem and solution which they present for evaluation at the end of the course.
Watch a video on the mission and model of TGP
here.
Student reviews can be found
here.
Academics
All TGP programs are accredited by a university partner in country, and students receive a credit bearing transcript after completion of the program. More information on our course which is offered in partnership with Reykjavik University's Iceland School of Energy can be found
here. For a full syllabus please email a member of the TGP team at
amanda@thegreenprogram.com.
Classes include but are not limited to:
1) Introduction to Energy in Iceland:
How to use energy resources in a sustainable manner is affected strongly by local environmental, societal and market conditions. Iceland has successfully transformed its energy sector to an unprecedented degree. In this part of the course we examine how Iceland's natural history has shaped the widespread utilization of renewables.
Learning outcome
Upon completion of this section students will be familiar with the basics geophysical forces that have shaped Iceland; how economic development and development of the energy sector have been shaped by these forces, and by the development of Icelandic society. Students will be able to see parallels between the situation in Iceland and development in other parts of the world. Students will have been exposed to the importance of matching the choice of sustainable energy solutions to local conditions.
2) Basics of Hydro-power:
This course will give an overview of the basics of hydropower; how water is harnessed to generate electricity, the different types of hydropower designs, and the types of systems in use. The course will touch upon some of the design challenges for hydropower, and how it has advanced to minimize the environmental impact of the structures. We will look at hydropower in context, through existing global capacity and future predictions of technical potential of undeveloped resources. The course concludes with giving an overview of hydropower in Iceland, with particular emphasis on the value of the flexibility of this renewable source of energy, and how that is used to build up storage in our closed energy system.
Learning outcome
At the end of the course, the students should have a good understanding of the true potential of hydropower, its strength and limitations. They should be capable of understanding what it takes to generate hydroelectricity, and the importance of designing such a power plant in a responsible way, considering overall social and environmental impact.
3) Geothermal Energy: An overview of exploration, utilization, and use:
In this course, an overview of different aspects of geothermal energy will be presented. That includes the origin of geothermal energy, geothermal exploration techniques, geothermal utilization, use of geothermal energy and economic aspects of geothermal energy.
Learning outcome
Basic knowledge of the origin, use, and utilization of geothermal energy.
4) Introduction to Energy Economics:
A general overview of energy markets is presented along with key economic terms such as supply and demand, elasticities, market failure and externalities. Climate change economics is introduced as well as the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). Financing of geothermal power plants is also presented.
Learning outcome
Students will be familiar with basic economics terms and able to use them to understand changes in market prices and quantities and how externalities should be incorporated into energy analysis.
5) Biofuel Innovations:
An introduction and preview of Iceland's emerging biofuel market. Utilizing the rapeseed plant, meet the professor and innovator behind a sustainable and cost-effective solution for Iceland's transport sector.
Learning outcome
Students will be familiar with basic market terms for biofuel and able to use them to understand the business plan and economics comparisons between the current diesel economy vs. the feasibility of a biofuel-run economy.
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*Please note that classes are subject to be updated)
Program Fee
Students will pay a program fee directly to The GREEN Program. More information on pricing can be found
here. Program fees include:
Academic class work and accompanying credit
Exclusive industry access and facility tours
Local adventure and cultural excursions led by professional guides including hikes, glacier walks, canyoning, and more (seasonal variability)
All housing in local guesthouses, and camping accommodations
In-country transportation
All meals, locally prepared
Private guides and staff for the duration of the program
Online educational modules
Alumni Network Membership
Access to Alumni Reunions as well as other career-related events
Our program fee
does not include:
Round trip airfare to and from Reykjavik Iceland
International travel health coverage (potentially provided by your abroad office)
Discretionary spending for snack and souvenirs
Advising for partner programs is based on your program location:
Europe: Please email Oliver.McSurley@ucf.edu
Asia, South Pacific (Aus and NZ), Africa & the Middle East: Please email James.Ehmer@ucf.edu or schedule here via MyKnightStar
Latin America: Please email Adrienne.Theune@ucf.edu or schedule here via MyKnightStar
UCF Abroad Upcoming Events & Group Advising Sessions (linked here)
