The GREEN Program at ISE
Welcome to the GREEN Program at Reykjavik University. We look forward to welcoming you to our campus. Below you will find information about the courses you will be studying and instructions for applying for academic credit.
The Green Program - ISE 01
Credit: 3 ECTS
The GREEN Program is a 50+ hour intensive program held in partnership between the Global Renewable Energy Education Network and Iceland School of Energy at Reykjavik University. Our faculty and industry experts teach classes on sustainability, hydro power, geology, bio-fuels, and geothermal energy. The course also includes facility tours to various power plants for hands-on learning such as to a hydro power plant, a 
geothermal power plant, a wind farm and a bio-fuel location.
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. 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.
Introduction to Energy in Iceland
Instructor: Ágúst Valfells
Course description
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 matching the choice of sustainable energy solutions to local conditions.
Basics of Hydro-power
Instructor: Ásbjörg Kristinsdóttir
Course description
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 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 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 power plant in a responsible way, considering overall social and environmental impact.
Geothermal Energy: An overview of exploration, utilization and use
Instructor: María Sigríður Guðjónsdóttir
Course description
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.
Introduction to Energy Economics
Instructor: Jónas Hlynur Hallgrímsson
Course description
A general overview of energy markets is presented along with key economics 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.
Field Trips
Jón E Bernódusson
Bio Fuel field trip
- Hellisheiði Geothermal Plant
- Elliðaárvirkjun
Credit Application
The GREEN program is accredited by Reykjavik University to the value of 3 ECTS. To receive credit for participation in the GREEN Program, students are required to fill out an application form. All applications for credit must be received before completion of the Green Program, and work must be submitted before the deadline for your program.
Please note: Only students with a confirmed offer for the GREEN Program can sign up for the GREEN Program course at ISE.
Application Instructions
Create a user account using our application system, please ensure that you are using the English version of the application system.
Once you are inside the application system, navigate to the tabs in the top left hand corner. The following sections must be completed: personal information, education. Green students are not required to upload any documents to the application form.
Next click on the applications tab and select the green button marked "+Apply"
In the drop down menu labelled "major" please select "Green Program," which is listed under the School of Science and Engineering.
Once you application has been approved you will receive login details for the School Learning Management system "MySchool". Once inside the system you will be able to access the reading and assignments for the GREEN program and submit your work on-line.
Please note:
Academic transcripts will be issued electronically to the email address provided, and sent by mail to the address provided in the personal information page. If your home university requires transcripts to be sent directly, please send an email to icelandschoolofenergy@ru.is stating your name and the address you would like your transcripts to be sent to.
Want to learn more about Iceland School of Energy? Visit our homepage for more information about our MSc programmes: MSc Sustainable Energy Science and MSc Sustainable Energy Engineering.