While wind power has been a source of contention in the United States, globally it remains a viable way to generate electricity while eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.

It is with this in mind that University of Delaware professor Cristina Archer put together an Introduction to Wind Power on-line course that is part of the United Nations University’s (UNU) Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

The UNU’s mission is to contribute, through collaborative research and education, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems of human survival, development, and welfare that are the concern of the United Nations, its peoples and Member States.

The course is free, is being offered worldwide, and will be available for the next four years.

It is aimed towards individuals with a science, technology and math (STEM) background, as it covers complex topics such as physics and aerodynamics. Archer likened it to a 400-level college course and said it includes technical aspects.

“It's an introduction to wind power for people who do not know much about it, but it definitely is targeted towards people with STEM backgrounds,” said Archer.

It includes 10 hours of screen time and is divided into three modules: wind meteorology, wind aerodynamics, and the environmental effects of wind energy.

The course provides a comprehensive introduction to the science and technology behind wind power, exploring how wind is formed, distributed, and transformed into renewable power. The course builds foundational knowledge of wind characteristics, wind turbine aerodynamics, and wind farm operations, addressing the growing importance of wind energy in the global transition to sustainable energy systems.

Archer said the course would not have been possible without the encouragement of her department chair, Saleem Ali, chair for the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences and the Blue and Gold Distinguished Professor of Energy and the Environment, who has made numerous UN connections and contributions over the years.

"The United Nations University provides a unique platform for communicating to citizens worldwide and carries a mark of respect as a reliable source of knowledge,” said Ali. “This is particularly important for topics like wind power, which have been politicized in many national contexts."

Archer said she is happy to provide a free on-line course to anyone interested in wind energy at a time when there is not much incentive to teach courses about wind energy in the United States.

“Unfortunately, it is a dead time for green energy in this country,” said Archer. “So that was a bit of extra motivation for me to develop this course. Green energy will come back in the United States. The rest of the world is moving to renewable energy, and wind energy is obviously abundant, we know all the benefits and it's going to continue. I think it’s fantastic that we can offer this high-level education to random people for free.”