Course: Smart energy and Smart Grids

Topic outline

Introduction

First part of this course provides basic description of the electricity grid, power, electricity market and related processes as grid regulation. Second part introduces the core of the smart energy concepts starting with Advanced metering infrastructure and going through the Smart-grid and micro-grid systems.
At the end of the course there is a certification final test. The conditions for the issuance of the certificate are also listed at the end of the course.
- MOOC authors
  
  Radoslav Vargic, teacher, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
  Juraj Londák, researcher, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
- Course introduction Page
  Course introduction by the author
- Annotation
  This course deals with area of smart energy. It
  provides basic description of the electricity grid, power, electricity market and related processes as grid regulation.
  introduces the area of metering, covers the basic mechanical meters as well as the most modern smart meters.
  informs about European union plans and state of the implementation in smart metering deployment.
  also describes the accompanying system solutions as Automated meter reading and Advanced metering infrastructure.
  introduces the concept of smart grid and focuses with more detail on microgrids and concept of energy hubs.
  
  Learning objectives
  Through the study of the module, students will gain an overview in the smart metering and smart grid area. Besides technical aspects, there are also covered basic electricity market and process aspects. The student should understand the main direction and trends how the power grid is getting smart and which direction the evolution goes.
  
  Recommended prerequisites
  Before taking the course, the student should be familiar with the following topics:
  basics of electricity
  
  Keywords
  power grid, power distribution, electricity market, smart meter, advanced metering infrastructure, smart grid, micro grid, energy hub
- Recommended sources Page
Lesson 1 – Electrical power grid
In this lesson, we will look at the basic concept of electric grid.

Time to complete the lesson: 2 hours
- VIDEO: What is the electric grid Page
  What is the electric grid
- Exercise L1/1 - Text completion Page
- 3D model - Example of DER (Distributed energy resources) Page
  In the presented example the electricity is generated in the same building. When the batteries are full, the excess energy is provided back to the electricity grid.
- Exercise L1/2 - Object sorting Page
- Exercise L1/3 - Forum
- TEST Lesson 1 Quiz
- FILE: Lesson 1 slides
- FILE: Lesson 1 document
Lesson 2 – Electric power in the grid – loses, quality
In this lesson we review the basic types of energy, introduce the losses in the network and speak about quality of the power.

Time to complete the lesson: 2 hours
- VIDEO: Explanation of active, reactive and apparent energy Page
  Explanation of active, reactive and apparent energy
- Exercise L2/1 - Matching Page
- Exercise L2/2 - Text completion Page
- TEST Lesson 2 Quiz
- FILE: Lesson 2 slides
- FILE: Lesson 2 document
Lesson 3 – Electricity market, financial and physical electricity flows
In this lesson we review how the purchasing of electricity works, what are the basic participating roles. We review the energy markets.

Time to complete the lesson: 3 hours
- VIDEO: Trading participants Page
  Trading participants
- FILE: Lesson 3 slides 1
- Exercise L3/1 - Division into groups Page
- VIDEO: Matching of financial and physical flows Page
  Matching of financial and physical flows
- Exercise L3/2 - Text completion Page
- TEST Lesson 3 Quiz
- FILE: Lesson 3 slides 2
- FILE: Lesson 3 document
Lesson 4 – Basic power metering
In this lesson the basics of electricity metering is presented, starting with mechanical meter, continuing with solid state meters and explain basic information delivery mechanisms such as manual and automatic meter reading.

Time to complete the lesson: 2 hours
- VIDEO: Basic power metering Page
  Basic power metering
- Exercise L4/1 - Division into groups Page
- TEST Lesson 4 Quiz
- FILE: Lesson 4 slides
- FILE: Lesson 4 document
Lesson 5 – Smart meters and AMI
This lesson provides the definition and concepts that are behind the smart metering. Then the detailed description of smart meter features, structure and interfaces is provided. The Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems are introduced.

Time to complete the lesson: 3 hours
- VIDEO: Smart metering concept Page
  Smart metering concept
- Exercise L5/1 - Text completion Page
- Exercise L5/2 - Text completion Page
- Exercise L5/3 - Cards Page
- Exercise L5/4 - Division into groups Page
- 3D model - Example of last gasp scenario Page
  In the presented example the electricity distribution is interrupted unexpectedly. The smart meter sends a last gasp message to the DSO to be aware of the situation.
- Exercise L5/5 - Matching Page
- TEST Lesson 5 Quiz
- FILE: Lesson 5 slides
- FILE: Lesson 5 document
Lesson 6 – Smart metering data, their collection and handling
Closed look to smart metering data and accompanying standards (such as DLMS/COSEM/OBIS/IDIS) are provided. Data passing and handling in back-end systems is explained.

Time to complete the lesson: 4 hours
- VIDEO: Meter data organization Page
  Meter data organization
- Exercise L6/1 - Cards Page
- VIDEO: Meter data collection and processing Page
  Meter data collection and processing
- Exercise L6/2 - Matching Page
- TEST Lesson 6 Quiz
- FILE: Lesson 6 slides
- FILE: Lesson 6 document
Lesson 7 – Smart grid
In this lesson we introduce smart grids and basic concepts behind them. Especially relation to smart metering is explained. Smart grid architectural framework (SGAM) is introduced.

Time to complete the lesson: 4 hours
- VIDEO: Smart grid basics Page
  Smart grid basics
- Exercise L7/1 - Division into groups Page
- VIDEO: Smart grid architecture model Page
  Smart grid architecture model
- Exercise L7/2 - Text completion Page
- Exercise L7/3 - Matching Page
- TEST Lesson 7 Quiz
- FILE: Lesson 7 slides
- FILE: Lesson 7 document
Lesson 8 – Microgrids
In this lesson we introduce microgrids and basic concepts behind them. Especially relation to smart grid is explained. Microgrid functions, types, components are discussed. Relation to energy management systems and related control mechanisms are explained.

Time to complete the lesson: 3 hours
- VIDEO: Introduction to microgrids Page
  Introduction to microgrids
- Exercise L8/1 - Division into groups Page
- VIDEO: Microgrids and energy management Page
  Microgrids and energy management
- 3D model - Example of basic energy flows in smart home Page
  In the presented example, a local DER (solar panels, battery storage) is available. The HEMS is represented by Controller unit on picture. Various optimization scenarios for consumption, provision, storage of energy are possible.
- TEST Lesson 8 Quiz
- FILE: Lesson 8 slides
- FILE: Lesson 8 document
Lesson 9 – Energy Hubs
In this lesson we introduce energy hubs as one interesting approach for future energy systems.

Time to complete the lesson: 1 hour
- VIDEO: Energy hubs Page
  Energy hubs
- Exercise L9/1 - Text completion Page
- 3D model - Cogeneration unit Page
  Cogeneration unit produces heat and electricity in parallel. Different types and sizes exit. Depending on construction, the input may be biomass, natural gas, wooden pellets, etc.
- TEST Lesson 9 Quiz
- FILE: Lesson 9 slides
- FILE: Lesson 9 document
Final section
In this section you will find the final test and evaluation questionnaire. If you meet the requirements, you may receive a certificate of completion.
- Requirements for the award of the certificate:
  
  1. Completion of all course activities.
  
  2. Completion of all course materials.
  
  3. Successful completion of the final test (note: the final test can only be opened once!).
  
  4. Application for a certificate (in this part in the form of an assignment).
  The certificate for successful graduates will be issued electronically and will be available in response to the certificate request.
- OVERALL SELF-TEST Quiz
  You can take the overall self-test to practise your knowledge and to prepare for the final test.
- FINAL TEST Quiz
  Restricted Not available unless:
  The activity Exercise L1/3 - Forum is marked complete
  The activity TEST Lesson 1 is complete and passed
  The activity TEST Lesson 2 is complete and passed
  The activity TEST Lesson 3 is complete and passed
  The activity TEST Lesson 4 is complete and passed
  The activity TEST Lesson 5 is complete and passed
  The activity TEST Lesson 6 is complete and passed
  The activity TEST Lesson 7 is complete and passed
  The activity TEST Lesson 8 is complete and passed
  The activity TEST Lesson 9 is complete and passed
- Request for a certificate Feedback
  Restricted Not available unless: The activity FINAL TEST is complete and passed
  Ask for a certificate in this activity. If you have met the conditions for the certificate, we will issue the certificate electronically.
- We are very glad that you have studied the course. We hope you found it interesting. If you have met the criteria for the award of the certificate, we will send you the certificate shortly. We would be very pleased if you would now complete a short evaluation questionnaire at the end of the course. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in future MOOC courses.
- Evaluation questionnaire Page
  Please rate the MOOC course. It will take you no more than 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire. Thank you.

Topic outline

MOOC authors

Annotation

Learning objectives

Recommended prerequisites

Keywords