Geopolitics of the Energy Transition (MEE200)

This course covers the international dynamics of the energy transition. It addresses the role of renewable energy in geopolitics, security, and diplomacy. Teaching includes the interplay between international politics, national economics, technological change, and history.

The use of the ‘Geovania simulation’ (https://geovania.nettopuis.live/) makes it possible to experience the national and international dynamics, realities, and trade-offs associated with the transition to renewable forms of energy.

The course imparts knowledge and skills relevant to achieving SDG1 (No Poverty), SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG13 (Climate Action), and SDG17 (Partnership for the Goals).

This course examines the international and geopolitical dimensions of the energy transition. It explores how the transition reshapes security, economic relations, international dependencies and patterns of cooperation and competition, and how these dynamics in turn influence the pace and direction of the transition. The course combines perspectives from international relations and international political economy with empirical cases and simulation-based learning.

The course focuses on the interaction between the energy transition and international politics. It examines how changes in energy systems, technologies and resource use affect relations between states and other actors, and how geopolitical and economic developments enable, constrain or redirect the transition.

Three broad dimensions are addressed. First, it considers the relationship between the energy transition, security, sovereignty and geopolitical rivalry. Second, it examines economic power and interdependence, including industrial policy, investment, infrastructure, critical materials, supply chains and international competition. Third, it explores the role of transnational actors and processes, including firms, investors, standards, expertise, societal actors and questions of legitimacy and implementation.

International relations theory and related analytical approaches provide the conceptual foundation for the course. These perspectives are applied to cases from different countries, regions and sectors. Simulation and scenario-based exercises, including the Geovania simulation, are used to give students practical experience with international cooperation, competition, trade-offs and strategic decision-making in the energy transition.

Students will have:

• advanced knowledge of key concepts and theoretical perspectives relevant to the geopolitics of the energy transition; thorough knowledge of how the energy transition interacts with international security, economic relations, interdependence and geopolitical competition
• knowledge of how resources, technologies, infrastructure, investment and supply chains shape international power relations in the energy transition
• knowledge of the roles of states, firms, international organizations and other transnational actors in shaping energy-transition processes.

Skills

Students will be able to:

• apply relevant theoretical and conceptual perspectives to analyse geopolitical dimensions of the energy transition
• identify and analyse relationships of power, dependence, vulnerability and cooperation in energy-transition cases
• critically assess empirical cases using information from different sources, sectors and geographical contexts;
• develop and communicate coherent arguments about how international political and economic dynamics may enable, constrain or redirect the energy transition.

General competence

Students will be able to:

• critically reflect on complex trade-offs between sustainability, security, economic interests and international cooperation
• communicate analyses of complex energy and geopolitical issues in written and oral form
• collaborate with others in analysing problems, negotiating competing interests and developing responses under conditions of uncertainty.

Course activities include lectures, guest lectures, seminars, case-based discussions, simulation exercises and student presentations. The course combines theoretical perspectives with empirical cases from different regions and sectors.

Active learning is an important component of the course. Students participate in the Geovania simulation and in scenario-based exercises designed to explore international cooperation, competition, uncertainty and trade-offs related to the energy transition.

Guest lectures provide practitioner perspectives on selected topics, while discussions and reflection exercises are used to connect these perspectives to the analytical concepts introduced in the course.

Students are expected to prepare for teaching by engaging with the assigned course literature and to participate actively in discussions and exercises.

Generative AI tools may be used as support for learning, for example to explore questions, clarify concepts, discuss arguments and perspectives, or support writing and preparation for class. Such tools should complement, rather than replace, engagement with the course literature, independent analysis and participation in teaching.

Students are expected to critically assess and verify AI-generated information against the course literature and other reliable sources. They remain responsible for the questions they formulate, the information they use, and the interpretations and conclusions they draw. AI-generated content should not be treated as a substitute for academic sources.