What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn energy?

Before learning energy, you would benefit from having a basic understanding of the electrical power system and how power is generated, transmitted, and distributed. If you are familiar with the term “renewable energy” and its components, such as wind energy, solar, and hydroelectric dams, then you may have some of the skills needed to study energy. If you have experience in any capacity in energy science or engineering, you may have several skills necessary to study engineering. Experience in business analytics, business analysis, and economics can also be a beneficial background for studying the power industry.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in energy?

The best-suited people for roles in energy are interested in all types of large-scale, grid-tied systems and off-grid, stand-alone systems as well as ongoing innovations affecting all sectors of the power industry. People who do well in energy roles will understand that everyone values access to electricity and power and that working in the field offers an important service to millions of people. People who want to understand natural gas, solar, and safety practices within the power industry may be ideally suited for roles in energy. People suited for roles in energy are also interested in how energy issues continue to affect international relations. The type of people well suited for roles in energy will want to learn different electric markets and types of power plants, how they operate, price products, dispatch supplies to meet consumer and commercial demand, and how the systems are regulated.

What are common career paths for someone in energy?

There are many common career paths for someone in energy, including working for a utility in many capacities, such as a utility or safety technician. You could also work in the solar power industry in system installations. Another emerging but increasingly common career path for someone in energy is to work in the renewable and green energy solutions field. Someone in energy could work for safety and regulating bodies that guide, design, audit, and analyze energy systems and consumptions.

What topics can I study that are related to energy?

Topics you can study that are related to energy include global climate control and the social, economic, and political impacts it’s had on the world’s power industry and energy resources. Another topic related to energy you could study is government because of the policy-making that evolves in the power industry. Green building and green architecture could be another related topic to energy that you can study.

What are the benefits of taking an online Energy course?

Online Energy courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Energy skills. Choose from a wide range of Energy courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Energy courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Energy, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Energy Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Energy Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Renewable Energy
Skills you'll gain: Feasibility Studies, Plant Operations and Management, Project Finance, Electric Power Systems, Electrical Power, Energy and Utilities, Basic Electrical Systems, Sustainable Technologies, Systems Of Measurement, Project Implementation, Financial Analysis, Market Dynamics, Climate Change Mitigation, Project Management Life Cycle, Construction Management, Emerging Technologies, Project Management, Environmental Issue, Mechanical Engineering, Physics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University at Buffalo
Energy Production, Distribution & Safety
Skills you'll gain: Personal protective equipment, Electrical Substation, Electrical Power, Electric Power Systems, Electrical Systems, Environmental Regulations, Energy and Utilities, Basic Electrical Systems, Oil and Gas, Safety Training, Electrical Equipment, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Hazard Analysis, Workforce Development, Billing, Sustainable Development, Safety Standards, Sustainable Technologies, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
11K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
Sciences Po
Politics and Economics of International Energy
Skills you'll gain: Oil and Gas, Energy and Utilities, Climate Change Mitigation, International Relations, Environmental Issue, Electric Power Systems, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Policy, Economics, Political Sciences, Market Dynamics, Sustainable Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
The State University of New York
Solar Energy Basics
Skills you'll gain: Electric Power Systems, Electrical Systems, Electrical Power, Energy and Utilities, Basic Electrical Systems, Building Services Engineering, Sustainable Technologies, Cost Estimation, Engineering Calculations, Safety Standards, Environmental Issue, Systems Of Measurement, Technical Standard
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Duke University
Electric Industry Operations and Markets
Skills you'll gain: Electrical Power, Electric Power Systems, Energy and Utilities, Basic Electrical Systems, Market Dynamics, Operating Cost, Plant Operations and Management, Operational Efficiency, Environmental Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Requirements, Dispatching
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University at Buffalo
Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors
Skills you'll gain: Electrical Systems, Building Codes, Electrical Wiring, Construction Inspection, HVAC, Building Design, Basic Electrical Systems, Electrical Power, Engineering Calculations, Architectural Design, System Requirements, Electrical Safety, Mechanical Design, Energy and Utilities, Architectural Engineering, Land Development, Semiconductors, Cost Benefit Analysis, Design Reviews, Submittals (Construction)
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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Status: Preview
Duke University
Renewable Energy and Green Building Entrepreneurship
Skills you'll gain: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Team Building, Business Modeling, Environmental Issue, New Business Development, Sustainable Business, Business Strategy, Corporate Sustainability, Sustainable Development, Business Development, Entrepreneurial Finance, Action Oriented, Stakeholder Engagement, Case Studies, Market Opportunities
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
University of Colorado System
Fundamentals of Global Energy Business
Skills you'll gain: Energy and Utilities, Oil and Gas, Strategic Thinking, Global Marketing, Business Analysis, Business Economics, Supply And Demand, Stakeholder Analysis, Business Analytics, Economics, Political Sciences, Environment and Resource Management, Natural Resource Management, Emerging Technologies
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
505 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Wind Energy
Skills you'll gain: Sustainable Engineering, Forecasting, Financial Forecasting, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Calculations, Engineering, High Voltage, Systems Engineering, Materials science, Energy and Utilities, Electrical Power, Structural Analysis, Financial Analysis, Environmental Monitoring, Failure Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7.3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 3 - 6 Months
The State University of New York
Solar Energy System Design
Skills you'll gain: Electrical Power, Basic Electrical Systems, Electric Power Systems, Wiring Diagram, Equipment Design, Energy and Utilities, Electronic Components, Sustainable Design, System Requirements, Electrical Safety, Engineering Calculations, Performance Testing, Physical Science, Estimation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
463 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
University of Michigan
Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There
Skills you'll gain: Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Management, Engineering, Energy and Utilities, Physics, Engineering Analysis, Systems Of Measurement, Physical Science, Process Analysis, Environmental Issue
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
University of London
Global Energy and Climate Policy
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Policy, International Relations, Climate Change Mitigation, Energy and Utilities, Environment, Petroleum Industry, Oil and Gas, Governance, Climate Change Adaptation, Sustainable Development, Policy Analysis, Economics, Security Strategy, Electric Power Systems
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
697 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months