The global urgency for a clean energy transition is driven by the twin challenges of climate change and resource limitations, both of which demand a fundamental shift from traditional fossil-fuel dependence to sustainable energy solutions. However, this transition requires more than just technological advancements; it calls for a knowledgeable, skilled, and innovative workforce capable of driving and sustaining these changes. Graduate education in energy plays a pivotal role in this shift by preparing leaders, engineers, and policymakers to manage increasingly complex energy systems and respond to rapidly evolving global demands. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA 2023), achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 will necessitate a skilled workforce with technical expertise and a comprehensive understanding of policy, economics, and environmental sustainability. Recent studies also emphasize that a well-educated workforce is essential to bridging the gap between technological potential and actual implementation of sustainable energy solutions (Muniz et al. 2023).

Energy democracy is a growing conceptual framing that recognizes opportunities for redistributing power, literally and figuratively, through transformative social change as society moves away from fossil-fuel reliance toward a renewable-based future. For educators, energy democracy provides a powerful, accessible, and inclusive framework to engage with the complexities of energy-system change and to empower students to contribute to collective action to shape and accelerate energy-system transformation. Energy democracy acknowledges that the societal benefits of renewable-energy transformation go well beyond decarbonization; a renewable society could also be a healthier, more economically just society. This chapter provides specific guidance and suggestions on how educators can structure energy education through the frame of energy democracy. Integrating systemic change processes and sociopolitical innovation as well as technological innovation into teaching and learning about energy expands the reach and impact of climate and energy education. An energy democracy framework will be useful to educators who are interested in engaging with the climate crisis by building transformative capacity in the context of local and regional energy systems.

In this chapter, we describe content delivery methods and lessons learned when combining the massive open online course (MOOC) with the smaller, remote version of the course offered through MIT in Fall 2020. This approach was tested when MIT school buildings were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and all classes became virtual. For a broader application, we also lay out hands-on tips for sustainable design educators on how to administer a hybrid course that outsources the tutorials, lectures, and assignments from the online course while engaging students through in-person or virtual meetings for in-depth discussions and course project development.

The challenge of transitioning to a net-zero-carbon world requires engineers and scientists to blend their technical proficiency with soft skills such as trust-building, stakeholder influence, and effective leadership within multidisciplinary teams. This seamless integration of subject matter expertise and interpersonal skills — especially those focused on leadership — are essential for driving change. Unfortunately, these skills and knowledge are frequently left out of the foundational curriculum of science-based graduate programs across the United States. In order to accelerate the energy transition, we propose that our students receive instruction in developing skills required for effective implementation and leadership of change. This chapter will set up the framework for management and leadership training for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students or postdocs, whether in a two-hour workshop or a full semester course.

This chapter introduces control schemes based on the PT-symmetric wireless power transfer (WPT) system. It begins with an overview of PT symmetry and its relevance to WPT, followed by detailed models and analyses based on circuit theory and coupled-mode theory. The chapter explores the output characteristics of PT-symmetric systems and presents control methods for optimizing output power through load identification. Experimental results are provided to validate the proposed control schemes, demonstrating their effectiveness in managing power transfer and enhancing system performance. The chapter highlights the innovative aspects of PT-symmetric WPT and its potential applications.

This chapter explores the application of wireless in-flight charging specifically for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It begins by outlining the benefits of this technology, including increased operational time and reduced maintenance needs. The chapter identifies key challenges such as managing continuous mutual inductance disturbances, developing lightweight pickup units, and enabling fast charging. Solutions to these challenges are discussed in detail, including innovations in system design. The chapter concludes with an overview of the construction and integration of wireless in-flight charging systems for UAVs, summarizing the current state of technology and future prospects.

Focusing on the design of magnetic couplers for UAV wireless charging, this chapter addresses various design strategies for optimizing power transfer efficiency. It covers the design of pickup coils, including embedded lightweight squirrel-cage coils, hollow pickup coils suitable for in-flight UAVs, and onboard integration-based coils. The chapter also examines different magnetic coupling structures, such as orthogonal magnetic couplers, free-rotation asymmetric couplers, and compact omnidirectional magnetic structures. Each design approach is evaluated for its effectiveness in improving wireless power transfer in UAV applications, providing insights into practical implementation and performance optimization.

This chapter addresses techniques for extending the charging range of PT-symmetric WPT systems. It begins with an introduction to range extension methods and then explores the use of S/SLDC high-order topologies for improved performance. The chapter includes system analysis, modelling, and comparison with other topologies, focusing on negative resistance design to enhance range. Additionally, it presents flexible charging range extension methods, such as autonomous on-off keying modulation schemes, and discusses their system output characteristics and control algorithm implementation. Experimental verification supports the proposed methods, showcasing advancements in expanding the operational range of PT-symmetric WPT systems.

This chapter details advanced control strategies for wireless charging systems used in UAVs. It begins with an introduction to control challenges specific to wireless charging and then discusses model-predicted control approaches, particularly those using high-order LCC-P topologies. Key topics include system modelling, mutual inductance prediction, and controller design, supported by both simulation and experimental verification. The chapter also covers rotating-coordinate-based mutual inductance estimation, including system modelling in the dq synchronous reference frame and the αβ-to-dq transformation. This section emphasizes the importance of accurate control for efficient and reliable wireless power transfer.

This chapter introduces the principles and mechanisms behind wireless power transfer (WPT), focusing on inductive power transfer systems. It begins with the historical development of WPT and then delves into the fundamental aspects of inductive power transfer, including general configurations. The chapter provides a detailed examination of theoretical models, such as the loosely coupled transformer model, T-model, and M-model, and compares their effectiveness. It further explores compensation networks, including series and parallel types, and discusses transmission performance metrics such as output power, transfer efficiency, and their interrelationships. This comprehensive overview establishes the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding advanced WPT systems.