Explore approaches to electrification, microgrids, and how to harness this form of renewable energy to achieve sustainability. Learn and assess different electrification approaches from around the world. On this two-week course, you will learn how electricity is generated globally and explore different approaches to electrification. You will then learn technical aspects of electrification options via a national grid, off grid, micro and mini grids and reflect on the barriers to affordable, clean and fair access to electricity.
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Explore what a microgrid is and how to plan for one
You will get an overview of a microgrid and explore when and how to use them. You will then understand the costs and planning considerations of designing a microgrid and explore PyEPLAN, a tool used for the design and operation of optimised microgrid networks. This will give you the skills to make your own business case for a microgrid implementation.
Consider the socio-economic and environmental implications of microgrids
Through real-life case studies, you will investigate how social and economic impacts of a microgrid system are measured through regulatory, technical, and financial measures.
Explore the technical design of microgrids
Focusing on the technical aspects of designing a microgrid, you will develop a better understanding of the tools available and be able to evaluate them within a design context. Alongside technical exploration, you will also consider the design criteria and how these match real-world scenarios.
Develop practical skills that will help you to develop real-life energy solutions
This skills-based course will enable you to put into practice the knowledge you’ve acquired by conducting a feasibility study for creating your own microgrid in a small village and accessing its impact. You will also have the chance to delve deeper by accessing more technical information to help you develop your expertise and explore the topic further.
Syllabus
Week 1: How affordable, and clean is global access to electricity?
Week 2: Designing a microgrid system
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe the basic principles of energy networks and microgrids.
- Discuss the global electricity access and distribution, and the principals of universal access to clean energy through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
- Investigate the interdisciplinary approaches to renewable energy.
- Evaluate the pros and cons of different approaches to electrification.
- Compare the interaction between technical, social, economic and environmental components of electrification.
- Develop basic practical skills for the development of integrated energy networks and microgrids.
- Evaluate the social and economic impacts of microgrid technologies.
- Investigate the methods used in the technical design of microgrids.
Who is the course for?
The technical course is designed for anyone interested in renewable energy, achieving sustainable electrification solutions and microgrids. It will be of particular interest to professionals in the energy industry, and NGOs, academic researchers, as well as students studying relevant disciplines such as electrical engineering. The course features examples and case studies from Uganda and Indonesia and so it will be of particular interest to communities from these countries as well as countries with similar energy needs. This course is designed to support you as a professional. By completing all aspects of the course, you will have achieved eight hours of CPD time.
