Participants will explore the evolution of grid modernization and sustainable power systems, with a specific focus on smart grid systems and technologies. This course begins with defining the role of smart grids in grid modernization and building green infrastructure, their key components, and an understanding of how they could revolutionize our electrical grids, especially in British Columbia. The integration of renewable energy sources and their challenges will be the major focus, as well as how planning strategies should be taken into account for incorporating them reliably into smart grids.
Seminar Description
Participants will become familiar with the basics of energy management systems (EMS) and solutions and understand how they could support optimizing power distribution, improving efficiency, and promoting sustainable energy consumption. Attendees will also learn about demand response (DR) mechanisms, smart metering technologies, and the evolving role of active prosumers in the power sector. Among the highlights of the course is the review of various smart grid topologies and distributed control architectures, which might constitute the backbone of next-generation grids. With a focus on smart microgrids and nano-grids, participants will gain an understanding of their applications, benefits, and role in promoting decentralized resilient energy networks.
By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with a basic understanding of smart grids, ready to navigate the evolving sustainable power system environment. The key aim of the course is to provide them with real-world examples to gain insights into renewable energy integration, energy management, demand response, smart metering, and the transformative shift toward customer empowerment. Last but not least, the course will provide participants with a deeper understanding of smart grid, microgrid, and nano-grid topologies, control, and communication architectures, which could enhance their ability to contribute more to grid modernization
Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the fundamentals of smart grids by developing a basic understanding of available technologies and solutions, and their pivotal role in grid modernization
- Explore strategies for integrating renewable energy sources into smart grids to enhance sustainability and resilience, and reduce environmental impact
- Acquire preliminary knowledge of EMS and its role in optimizing grid operation, improving efficiency, and promoting sustainable energy consumption
- Understand the evolving role of customers as prosumers, actively participating in both energy production and consumption in smart grids.
- Explore various smart grid topologies and distributed command and control architectures, and gain a basic understanding of the cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of our power grids
