Course Outline: Foundations, Microgrids Certificate 1

Synopsis

Modern civilizations are facing an energy crisis that is unprecedented in human history.  Driven by challenging environmental goals for a net-zero carbon climate, the rapid rise of transportation electrification by electric vehicles as well as hybrid and all-electric aircraft, are major drivers of electricity demand.  The advent of vast data centers to support computing requirements for artificial intelligence, blockchain for cryptocurrency mining, and similar needs will further create substantial requirements for electricity.  This increasing collective demand for electricity threatens to overwhelm our electric grid generation and delivery.  At the same time, our aging grid infrastructure is known to be vulnerable to several threat scenarios ¨C both from nature and hostile actors ¨C that could result in widespread blackouts, with potentially devastating consequences. The rising occurrence of extreme weather events in recent years, such as heatwaves, cold waves, wildfires, heavy precipitation, drought, tornadoes, hurricanes, and tropical cyclones, make the resiliency of grids even more urgent.

Microgrid Systems represents one of several disruptive technologies critical to address the challenges of our modern energy infrastructure.  The current efforts to transform the network grid have been summed up as the ¡°3 Ds,¡± which stands for digitalization, decentralization, and decarbonization.  Microgrids are well suited to meet those needs, specifically by adding Capacity for power generation, Resilience in the form of ¡°Island Mode¡± operation, and the ability to integrate Renewable Energy with great flexibility. They are small self-contained electrical systems that can integrate various local energy technologies¡ªfor example, renewables, small-scale fossil generation, small modular nuclear reactors, and batteries or other energy storage means ¡ªenabling responsive generation and distribution of electric power, as well as services such as heating and cooling. They can operate in concert with the larger network, or independently by isolation from the grid, which is likely to be a vital resilience feature during natural disasters. 

The proliferation of microgrids highlights the differences between the centralized market structure of the past and the evolving taxonomy of a networked grid comprised of microgrids and distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar power installations¡ªboth rooftop and stand-alone¡ªand energy storage devices.  The industry and policymakers involved in the promotion, design, and operation of microgrid systems and their integration with the utility industries have been calling the urgent needs of incoming and future workforce development. 

CSU¡¯s Engineering Division and the Department of Continuing Extended Education (DCEE), In partnership with Telepath Systems, Inc., together with the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) as well as representatives of various companies have been working together to brainstorm how such a training program can be situated through an educational institution in collaboration with industries.  The following plan has been developed to meet such a demand.   

Program Objectives 

The Microgrid Systems Micro-certification curriculum aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of microgrid systems, integrating technical knowledge of electric power with systems engineering principles and methods. The program will facilitate students acquiring the essential knowledge to engage in and effectively contribute to microgrid development projects at multiple levels, including the use of Digital Twin modeling capabilities. 

(A key highlight of the program: Learning of Modeling & Simulation with Digital TWINS for Microgrids). 

Workforce Development

By the end of each level of the program, students should be equipped with the foundational skills necessary to engage in microgrid projects and contribute to the evolving energy landscape.  These skills will enable essential workforce development in electric grid transformation and securing the energy infrastructure. 

The 3-level Microcredential program emphasizes building knowledge essential to workforce development to address understanding of the Energy problem and relevant technical challenges:

• Rising demand for electricity exceeds current grid capacity?
• Understanding of threat scenarios and security considerations for the ?energy sector
• Leveraging Microgrids ability to add needed electric CAPACITY as well as RESILIENCE ?
• Each Microgrid is inherently a Unique System?, requiring Systems Engineering and Analysis of multiple options, configurations, and system life-cycle management methods
• Development of System Models (aka ¨C Digital Twins) to facilitate the early evaluation of design options and alternatives, reducing the risk of microgrid developments
• Estimates of System Performance to enable Decision Support for Economic assessments, Valuation,? and Risk Reduction
• Application of knowledge gained, aided with project-specific system models and economic analysis, to full-scale implementation of a real-world microgrid development

In Development 

• Level 2 Certification for Microgrid Systems¡ªSyllabus not yet available.
• Level 3 -Certification for Microgrid Systems¡ªSyllabus not yet available.

Teaching Methods

• Lectures: Interactive presentations with visual aids
• Homework:  Reading assignments with problem-solving tasks
• Group Discussions: Encourage sharing of ideas and experience
• Case Studies: Real-world examples to illustrate concepts
• Hands-on Activities: Simulations or Modeling exercises of Microgrids

Assessment

• Quizzes: Short quizzes at the end of each session to reinforce learning
• Mid-term and Final Exam:  Brief exams to assess learned knowledge
• Final Project:  A group assignment to design a basic microgrid system using class learnings

Program Overview 

Program Name: CSU Microgrid Systems Certificate ¨C Foundations

Delivery Mode: CSU Continuing Education Program  
In general - On-site classroom lectures at CSU, three (3) hour sessions including relevant Computer Lab activity. (Considerations for some lectures to be delivered virtually are being explored -- TBD)

Each three-hour session will include advance readings and other self-study-based content:-
   (study estimate  -- Six study hours each week prior to the in-person session.)

Instructors:   Course instruction will be provided by qualified subject matter experts having education credentials in engineering at a Master's Degree level (minimum) with significant relevant industry experience in Energy Systems and Microgrid applications 

Level I ¨C Microgrid FOUNDATIONS (6 sessions)

Note: Students completing Level 1 Certification program will be eligible for applying to INCOSE for ASEP (Associate Systems Engineering Professional) certification, hence a dual certificate result.

Session Format:

• Hour 1: Introduction and Lecture
  • Overview of the day's topics
  • Detailed lecture with visual aids
  • Group discussions and Q&A specific to readings, etc.
• Hour 2: Interactive Session
  • Interactive activities related to the module
  • Hands-on exercises and simulations
  • Case study analysis
• Hour 3: Review and Assessment
  • Recap of key points
  • Short quizzes and assessments (required)
  • Feedback and open discussion

Applicant / Student Prerequisite: 

• Completion of undergraduate engineering coursework at a Junior level ¨C OR
• Completion of a technical Associate Degree from an accredited community college - OR
• Equivalent experience of 5 years in a technical capacity in industry, with an energy focus.

Curriculum Outline (Level 1 ¨C Microgrid FOUNDATIONS) 

(See Appendix 1 for full Level 1 Course Outline) 

The Level 1 curriculum is intended for knowledge acquisition in 2 major areas (blocks):

• The first block is aimed at providing a basic understanding of electricity and its application to modern society¡¯s needs, including its origins and history of evolution to modern grid architectures and microgrid forms.
• The second block is the introduction of systems theory, principles and methods, with special focus on its applicability to Microgrids with the use of modeling and simulation capabilities. 

Course Materials: 

Level 1 Course materials shown are preliminary ¨Cto be confirmed

(Additional materials & handouts will be provided as appropriate at relevant sessions)

TOTAL Class Time ¨C 20 hours (including Assessments)

In Development (to be announced ¨C 2025)

Level 2 Certification for Microgrid Systems¡ªSyllabus not yet available.

Level 3 -Certification for Microgrid Systems¡ªSyllabus not yet available.