University: Reykjavik University – Iceland School of Energy Course: Renewable Energy Innovation & Sustainability Credentials: Smart Certificate Duration: 8-days / 9-days
Expand your university’s global sustainability education today. Travel to Iceland to gain a first-hand experience, and review our on-site program. *Funding is available
Reykjavik University is ranked in 301-350th place in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking, making RU the highest ranked university in Iceland. For the third consecutive year, RU ranks highest of all universities for scientific citations, which is an estimate of universities’ research influence.
University faculty and staff have a unique opportunity to experience a full TGP program alongside students, and review our onsite programming. Tour program facilities, stay at local accommodations, meet our team, and discover the successes and challenges of a country that sources nearly 100% of its energy from renewable energy. Hike, explore, and step out of your comfort-zone while adventuring in Iceland’s natural wonders!
Observe lectures from Reykjavik University – Iceland School of Energy
Gain exclusive access into Iceland’s renewable energy industry and local professionals
See the effects of climate change on a glacier first-hand, and more!
Course Description
The GREEN Program is a 50+ hour intensive program held in partnership between The GREEN Program and Iceland School of Energy at Reykjavik University. Our faculty and industry experts teach classes on sustainable entrepreneurship and policy, geology, geothermal energy, hydroelectric power, and electric power systems. The course also includes facility tours to various power plants for hands-on learning such as hydroelectric and geothermal power plants.
During the course, students form interdisciplinary groups and develop a final Capstone Project on a specific renewable energy subject which they present for evaluation in the end of the course. Each group is required to present a project highlighting an identified problem and solution to progress the SDGs. Students are required to present the project in full detail and cover the financial, political, education, engineering and social impact aspects of their innovative idea.
Learn more about the course below and at Reykjavik University’s website here.
Objective and Outcomes
The objective of this course is to develop an understanding of various renewable energy technologies, its challenges and innovations in Iceland, and how it relates to global perspectives in the industry. See below for course outcomes.
Iceland Familiarization Program
Location: South Coast, Iceland University: Reykjavik University – Iceland School of Energy Focus: Renewable Energy Innovation & Sustainability
Program Dates Now Enrolling:
March 6-13, 2022
March 13-20, 2022
May 16-24, 2022
Program Capacity: 30-40 (5 University Faculty/Staff each) Length: 8-9 Days
Program Fee: TGP Partners: $600 Standard: $800
*TGP’s partner universities receive $3,600 in funding. Non-partner universities receive $3,400 in funding. The price reflected above is the reduced fee for registration and placement.
Program Highlights
Iceland, the land of clean energy
See the effects of climate change on our glacier hike
Video credit: arctic adventures iceland
Waterfall explorations
Video credit: Cluster Films
Gain inside access to one of Iceland’s premier hydroelectric facilities
Video credit: Mannvit
Hike Icelandic highlands
Video credit: Ivan Bondarenko
Visit one of the largest geothermal plants in the world
Video credit: Mannvit
Curriculum Highlights
Iceland, the land of clean energy
Examine how Iceland’s natural history has shaped the widespread utilization of renewables and successfully transformed its energy sector to an unprecedented degree.
Basics of hydropower
Gain an overview of hydropower, its design challenges, and environmental impact. Analyze the global capacity and future predictions of the technical potential of undeveloped resources.
Geothermal energy – part I & II
Discover the origin of geothermal energy, exploration techniques, utilization, use of geothermal energy, and economic aspects of geothermal energy.
Energy policy & entrepreneurship
Learn about what’s driving energy policymaking by focusing on the “why” from a political, economic and planning perspective.
Electric power systems
Explore the history of power
systems with principles and concepts of reliability and resilience in the context of increased renewable generation.
Weekly office hours
Gain direct access to global faculty members along the way at the weekly office hours that will be hosted via Zoom.
Become familiar with the basics geophysical forces that have shaped Iceland's current economic, energy potential, and societal standards. Students will be able to analyze the parallels between Iceland's energy sector and development in other parts of the world. Gain an understanding of the importance of matching the choice of sustainable energy solutions to local conditions.
Energy & Environmental Policy
Learn about Iceland's unique energy and environmental policies. Gain knowledge of environmental policy as how it relates to a country that relies on the renewable energy industry. Students will expand their ability to understand changes in governmental policies and how global externalities should be incorporated into energy and environmental policies.
Designing Renewables Responsibly
Gain a good understanding of true potential of hydropower and geothermal energy, its strengths and limitations. Students will be capable of understanding what it takes to generate hydroelectricity, and the importance of designing power plants in a responsible way, considering overall social and environmental impact.
Innovations for a Sustainable Future
Transportation is one of the only sectors in Iceland that is not utilizing renewable energy. Meet the innovator from Iceland's Transportation Authority who is introducing biofuels to Iceland's transportation industry. Discover and explore real-world business solutions for renewable energy innovations and what it takes to scale.
Critical Dialogue & Global Perspectives
Gain a critical global perspective that is demanded by organizations and corporations today. Build experience working with a diverse and interdisciplinary cohort and discuss the state of sustainable development and renewable energy in the present and future.
Early Access to Sustainability Jobs & Internships
Join a global network of more than 3,200 young professionals and TGP Alumni. Connect with sustainability jobs and internship opportunities, mentorship, and professional development resources with early access to TGP's Alumni Network.
Earn a Smart Certificate built for career impact
Upon completion, you’ll receive a digital Smart Certificate as your certificate of completion. Boost your LinkedIn and global experience, and gain access to real job-insights and data.
Accurate insights tied to real skills
We take the guesswork out of the outcomes. Gain job insights that are tied directly to the skills & learning outcomes of the course.
Your digital certificate uses block-chain and machine learning technology that will showcase each skill’s career value and connects you with real jobs that require those skills.
More metrics, more value
Get even more insight into the job market by receiving salary ranges specific to your certification’s skills and which companies are interested in hiring the skills that your certification provides.
Identify the employers that have the biggest demand for skills that you attained through your TGP course.
Job insight data
Your smart certificate will connect your credentials with real-time job data from around the world. The job data that our partners use is gathered from 65,000 global information sources; 143 gigs of raw data every day!
Using machine learning and statistical insights we’re able to connect the skills that you gain with the jobs available today.
Helping to improve impactful careers
TGP’s smart certificates enables participants to explore the roles that are available to them once you complete the course.
Real-time, open jobs are just a few clicks away from your certificate. We’re ready to start delivering career impact directly!
Secure with confidence
Secure your spot with confidence knowing that if your program is affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions, we offer flexible terms for you to switch your program or receive a full-credit towards a future program.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Iceland!
Airport Pickups
Meet the Team
Explore the Reykjanes Peninsula
Check in to Guesthouse
Lunch
Team building activities - get to know your group
Capstone Project Launch
Day 2
Breakfast
Intro to Iceland Energy Class
Iceland Geothermal Class
Reykjavik University Campus Tour
Lunch
Tour One of Iceland’s Largest Geothermal Power Plants
Geothermal Hikes & Hot Springs
Dinner
Capstone Ideation
Day 3
Breakfast
Hydroelectric Power Class
Energy Economics Class
Lunch
Capstone Development
Visit Iceland’s Historic Hydroelectric Power Plant
Experience Local Geothermal Pools
Dinner in Reykjavik, Iceland's Capital
Day 4
Breakfast
Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
Sustainable Greenhouse Tour
Lunch
Golden Circle Exploration
Dinner
Capstone Development
Day 5
Breakfast
Glacier Hike
Lunch
Waterfall Exploration
Soil Conservation site visit
Dinner
Capstone Development
Day 6
Breakfast
Finalize Capstone Projects
Lunch
Capstone Presentations at Reykjavik University
Depart for the Highlands
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Highland explorations and hikes
Lunch
Black sand beach
Dinner
Final Dinner & Reflections
Day 8
Breakfast
Free time to walk around Reykjavik
Airport Dropoffs & Departures
*Note: This is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are subject to change. Participants should be prepared to hike several miles through various terrains and weather conditions (i.e. snow).
What our alumni are saying
Brennan Spellmeyer
Pennsylvania State University
This was my first time out of the country, and being out of my comfort zone really allowed me to completely take in every experience and spark my passion for making a difference within my field of engineering towards more sustainable tendencies. This trip was definitely worthwhile, I think of my Iceland trip as an investment in myself. TGP provided me with inspiration for the rest of my career and the formation of life-long friendships.
Katherine S
Electrical Engineering Student, Georgia Institute of Technology
TGP is an experience like no other. This program allowed me to learn from industry experts in sustainability. It gave me a motivation to pursue sustainability that I have not received anywhere else in my undergraduate degree. It allowed me to meet people that were like minded and had similar goals, and to work with these same people to develop world changing ideas. It allowed me to focus on sustainability which is an area that does not get too much attention in my field, and in this way it was the perfect supplement to my university's curriculum. The friendships I made will last lifetimes, and the memories I left with are unforgettable. This program allows you to experience, learn, and do things you would have never imagined in a million years.
Student
Lehigh University
The GREEN Program was an incredible trip, and even though it was only 8 days long, it truly changed my life. I would highly recommend any student, no matter what academic background you have, to take a leap into the GREEN Program. You will be so impressed with the work you do in just those 8 days, and exhilarated by the adventures you go on. The GREEN Program not only educates you about sustainability and renewable energy, but also about living life in the moment and being confident in yourself. And doesn't end once you return home! The GREEN program has a lot of perks for alumni. I am so grateful to be a part of something that is more than just a trip abroad.
Tyler Whittaker
Santa Clara University
I was impressed with how thoroughly such a short program was able to impact my schema of the world. I gained insider expertise from professionals working to build a more sustainable planet, saw the humbling effects of climate change at work on the landscape, and made unexpectedly deep friendships with fellow students and locals. This program is incredibly worthwhile, both as a professional crash course on sustainable energy and as an opportunity to explore yourself and the world.
Joe T
University of Southern California
The GREEN Program transformed a lost, increasingly anxious college senior into a thriving, confident global citizen. In just eight days, I gained invaluable leadership, interpersonal, communication, presentation, and organizational skills. I am more capable and compassionate about my work today, and I thank TGP for giving me the platform for my metamorphosis. It is an invaluable experience of personal and professional transformation in the land of fire and ice!
Gabriel S
Energy Engineering Student, Pennsylvania State UniversityEngineering, Director of Online Education, Pennsylvania State University
The best 9 days abroad ever! I gained valuable knowledge of the renewable energy industry in Iceland along with unforgettable experiences.
Yash M
Electrical Engineering Student, Purdue University
An unmatched experience! We were able to attend classes taught by working professionals who had unique insights into the industry. This program offers a very different type of experience. For most of the trip, we are surrounded by natural resources and get to experience Iceland in the best way possible, and gives some perspective on what we are trying to protect when we are pushing for the growth of the clean energy industry.
Angela W
Chemical Engineering Student, Rochester Institute of Technology
The GREEN Program was one of the best decisions of my life!
Kara P
Geology Student, North Carolina State University / NC State
I learned so much in such a short amount of time. I now have plans to go back to Iceland to pursue my Master's Degree, which is something I would never have done if not for this experience. Iceland is an amazing country with amazing people and I can't wait to go back! I've also gained a new sense of adventure that will hopefully lead to more awesome experiences in the future.
What’s included?
We take care of everything from when you land in Iceland until departure. Earn a Smart Certificate upon completion of the Familiarization Program, and get access to TGP’s Alumni Network.
Education Materials: Prepare for your experience before you travel with your pre-program resources and educational materials
Classes: Lectures from industry leaders and faculty from Reykjavik University – Iceland School of Energy
Credit: 3 ECTS or 1.5 US academic credits from Reykjavik University’s School of Science and Engineering
Advancement: Automatic advancement in Iceland School of Energy at Reykjavik University’s Master’s Program application process
Facility Tours: Exclusive access and private tours to world leading hydroelectric and geothermal facilities
Capstone Project: Innovation facilitation and panel assessment
Adventure excursions: Step out of your comfort-zone and experience ziplining, white water rafting, and more!
All meals: We support locally owned restaurants, and will accommodate most dietary preferences/restrictions
Accommodations and lodging: Your home away from home will be at locally owned lodging sites throughout your program
All in-country transportation: From airport pick up to airport drop-off, and everything in-between, we got you covered
Exclusive membership: Join the TGP Alumni Network for sustainability job postings, travel, networking, and mentorship for students
What’s not included: Flights, travel insurance, and passport/visa fees
Pricing
Get started now Now accepting applications from university faculty and staff who are interested in partnering with The GREEN Program and joining our mission.
Your first step is to complete and submit an application. Upon acceptance, a TGP member will reach out to you with your next steps for enrollment. We look forward to traveling with you soon! (Please note that spots fill on a first-come, first-serve basis.)
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