*** This course is now full. To be put on the Wait List, please email jeanette.gill@windenergyireland.com ***

Dates:  16th October 2023 - 4th December 2023
!! Application Deadline: 15 September 2023 !!

Course Overview

This UCD microcredential addresses key specifics of electrical power system operation, control and economics. With online lectures and tutorials, lab demonstrations using the facilities of UCD Energy Institute’s Integrated Energy Lab, students will gain theoretical and ‘hands-on’ experience and understanding of operating a power system.

The microcredential will be delivered by expert academic and industry leaders.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the student should be able to:

• Solve constrained economic dispatch problems graphically and numerically
• Explain the complexities and constraints associated with power system commitment and dispatch including reserve provision, individual generator characteristics, frequency control
• Explain the unique characteristics of electricity markets when compared to other commodity markets
• Understand and describe the importance of frequency control in power system operation and reliability
• Appreciate the challenges facing power systems in the future and their relation to society.

Course Content

The module will be composed of online lectures (Zoom-based), live tutorial sessions, a number of on campus days for lab demonstration and assessment components. The module will utilise the Energy Institute’s Integrated Energy Lab facility, specifically the control centre emulator enabling students to gain a hands-on experience of operating a power system, including remedial actions in response to unexpected contingencies.

Topics to be covered include:

• Load and generator characteristics, including renewables
• Economic dispatch
• Reserve provision and constraints
• Unit commitment and optimisation
• Electricity market design and operation
• DC power flow
• Frequency control
• Specific case studies on the Irish power system will form a core element of the microcredential.

Who Should Attend

This microcredential is highly suited to:

• Professionals in the energy sector who wish to understand more about grid operation
• Graduates pursuing careers in the energy sector.

Certification 

Students will receive a microcredential certificate from UCD and a transcript. 

Other Details 

Most of the content will be delivered online and all lectures will be recorded and available on Brightspace. On-campus components require attendance to UCD Belfield on the dates specified. 

About the Trainer 

Andrew Keane is a Professor in Energy Systems, Director of the Energy Institute at UCD and has previously served as Head of the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering at UCD. Andrew has over 15 years’ experience of lecturing in energy systems and related areas, and combines the most current academic knowledge to practical and innovative modules for students.

In 2015 he co-founded NovoGrid, a grid automation company developing software solutions for renewable generators and utilities. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past chair of the IEEE Power and Energy Society UK and Ireland Chapter.

Andrew is Director of NexSys and leads on other projects funded by the Department of Environment, Communications and Climate, SFI and others. Andrew has a well-established and internationally recognised distribution network focussed modelling and optimisation research group. Previous members of his research group now hold various roles within industry, research organisations and academia.