The goal of the Renewable Energy Systems technical elective (ME 4823) is to understand and design renewable systems that can meet the energy and societal needs of the 21st century. The course will introduce students to a more holistic view of energy by integrating the Serve-Learn-Sustain theme addressing the nexus of food, energy and water systems. This will be accomplished in the classroom, and in a term project where students will investigate the technical, economic and societal implications of an application of renewable energy systems, potentially including solar driven water desalination, systems to reduce water consumption in power plants, or technical solutions to food waste. At the end of the course, students will be able to design renewable systems that meet the needs of a particular community.