The envisioned outcome of the project DAMOC is capacity building in the field of Smart Grid by the development of new or updated interdisciplinary master programs at the partner institutions in Africa. At each of these institutions, new or updated modules are available to students. To complement the modules, additional laboratories are established to give hand on experiences. In order to achieve harmonization regarding selected basic knowledge, an online course “Introduction to Energy Systems, Vectors, Storage and Generation” as well as a module “Data Security and Data Protection Awareness” were developed and provided to all partners.
The following list provides an overview on the new or updated study programmes and modules. To get more detailed information, please get in touch with the corresponding contact person.
New Programs
These programs, their curricula and courses were newly developed in the DAMOC project.
Structured M.Eng in Smart Grid Technology at Stellenbosch University (SU)
This course will cover the fundamentals of communications, before proceeding to the various techniques of transferring data from A to B. Concepts such as bandwidth, network capacity, performance metrics, data integrity, and communications media will be covered. Subsequently the different communications technologies, both wireless and cable based, will be introduced,followed by their characteristics and application areas. Smart Grid networks and their specific requirements, will be a focus area.
Contact: Prof Roger Wang
MEng (Electrical Engineering) (Smart Grid) at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
The course equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct independent research in electrical engineering, and to contribute to knowledge production through the understanding, application and evaluation of existing and new knowledge. Purpose and Rationale of the qualification: A qualifying learner will conduct independent research, under minimum guidance, in a chosen field of Electrical Engineering, and contribute to knowledge production in that field. The research problem, its justification, process and outcome is reported in a dissertation, which complies with the generally accepted norms for research at that level.
- The new MEng programme is offered in the Faculty Handbook 2021.
- A short description of the courses can be found here.
- Course information is given on that website.
- The timetable for 2021 can be found here.
Contact: Dr. Carl Kriger
Updated Programs
For these programs, new modules were developed in the DAMOC project.
MSc in Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering (Smart Grid specialty) at The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST)
The Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering has THREE specialties i.e. Renewable Energy Engineering, Sustainable Power Generation and Energy Utilization, and Smart Grids. The programme will provide appropriate knowledge and skills in renewable energy resources, power generation and energy utilization, and smart grids. This programme will enable to get experts with technical know-how on how to optimally produce and use energy from various resources and cut unnecessary energy costs, emphasis will be on renewable energy resources and technologies, in turn increases business competitiveness and reduces adverse effects on the environment. Graduates of the Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering will be able to work in a variety of areas, including private sector, energy consultancies and renewable start-up companies, international financial organizations and development agencies (e.g. World Bank, UNDP), governmental organizations (e.g. ministry of energy), energy think-tanks and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) dealing with clean energy solutions.
- A description of the new Smart Grid specialty in the updated MEng program can be found here.
- The new specialty is included in the description of all programs at NM-AIST.
Contact: Dr. Thomas Kivevele
Smart Grid short courses at University of Pretoria (UP)
Practical Smart Metering: This course presents the practical considerations for the rollout of smart metering projects. This includes the preparatory work, the formulation of the PMO team, operational execution, and ongoing management. It presents key lessons learned through the rollout of projects and is an enabler for directing municipal officials in rolling out smart metering projects. Benefits of attending: Understand the components of a smart metering system, formulate business cases around smart metering projects, strategically position your utility for the future power grid, optimise revenue protection minimise risks in rolling out smart metering solutions.
- A short description of the courses can be found here.
- An overview of courses can be found on that website.
Smart Grid Power Distribution: This course deals with the essential aspects of distribution system engineering, starting with the estimation of the loads on the network to the detailed design of the distribution system networks. The contents of this course are divided into three categories: Planning, design, and operation. In the planning part load forecasting, and planning strategies, as well as distribution automation, are discussed. The design part includes the design of sub-transmission lines, distribution substations, and primary and secondary systems design considerations. The operation part includes the voltage drop and power loss calculations, voltage regulation, and application of capacitor to distribution systems.
- A short description of the courses can be found here.
- An overview of courses can be found on that website.
Contact: Prof Raj Naidoo
Smart Grid B.Eng. Hons Level Courses at University of Pretoria (UP)
Introduction to Research: The goal of this course is to fully develop a research topic, in the form of a thesis research proposal, supported by an extensive investigation and evaluation of the relevant literature. In the process the student will learn how to evaluate information, to determine the scope of the body of knowledge that surrounds his or her research topic, and to communicate this information. From the research topic will be developed a research problem.
- An overview of courses can be found on that website.
Renewable Energy and Grid integration: In recent times, much emphasis is being placed to generate power from renewable energy (RE) sources, e.g. wind, photovoltaic (PV), small hydro, etc. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. Now most of the counties are setting big targets to generate large percentage of power from RE sources. Although power industry has made significant progress, however there are many underdeveloped/developing countries in which significant percentage of people are without electricity. A feasible and cost effective solution for these isolated communities can be to supply power through hybrid systems (wind-diesel, wind-diesel-PV, wind-diesel-small hydro, etc.). This course covers various renewable energy technologies including wind, PV, small hydro, etc.
- An overview of courses can be found on that website.
Contact: Prof Raj Naidoo
University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)
At UDSM, the following four new courses have been developed for the existing course MSc. Renewable Energy:
Smart Grid Technologies
Renewable Energy Hybrid Systems
Energy Storage Systems
Energy and Environment
Accreditation of the updated curriculum is still in process. A description of the new courses can be found here.
Contact: Dr. Joseph Kihedu
Harmonized courses available for all partners
These courses were developed in the DAMOC Project with the goal to be adopted and used at different partner institutions.
This harmonized course is available to all partners, it was developed with the goal to be adopted and used at different partner institutions. The objectives of the course are to analyze the entire energy cycle from primary sources to useful effects, based on the definition of energy system, energy vector, energy conversion and transformation. The course aims to provide students with the tools for a correct and exhaustive analysis and assessment of energy systems based on the criteria of energy sustainability.
Contact: Prof Fabio Orecchini
This harmonized course is available to all partners, it was developed with the goal to be adopted and used at different partner institutions. The objective of this course is to raise awareness for fundamental issues in data security and data protection with a focus on Smart Grids. It includes an introduction to data protection and security, including the advantages and challenges with respect thereto, and also addresses practical solutions to potential problems in a real-world context.
The aim of the Data Security Lab is to get experience on using security tools. Security tools are designed to troubleshoot protocol vulnerabilities, misconfiguration, application security and weak security decisions. Using the tools, students can understand some challenges of network security. The Lab should be done in groups of two persons.
The Data Protection Lab contains proof-of-concept JupyterLab notebooks to evaluate energy consumption data recorded by smart meters, etc.
Contact KAU: Leonardo Martucci
Contact TUD: Dr.-Ing. Elke Franz