Renewable Energy (RE) is expected to be one of the main solutions for clean power supply and covering the shortage in the electrical power. Smart Grids (SG) are expected to be a key enabler in the integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in the electrical networks. Better understanding of the SG concept enables faster and more sustainable development of the RE and SG market. However, this knowledge field is underrepresented in the existing technically overwhelmed teaching curricula at universities and hence, is considered a deficit that should be reduced. The importance of this project comes from tackling this problem by integrating the SG and the methods of integrating RES to electrical grid in RE teaching programmes offered at HEIs in beneficiary countries. In this context, this project aims at developing and implementing interdisciplinary teaching modules and training courses on SG and integration of RES to electrical networks on university teaching level. While the teaching materials target graduate and post-graduate students, the training courses are designed to train the teachers involved in the process. The teaching modules will be prepared by the project partners in close cooperation with industrial stockholders.A training center will also be established in beneficiary universities to facilitate the development of the workforce currently working in the field of RE. One of this project outputs will be the curricula of this center.In the implementation phase, the modules will be incorporated in existing curricula at partner universities and some special modules will be also offered in the training center for the industrial stockholders. In a following step, these modules will be disseminated through targeted e-learning.The expected impact of this project is mainly making the teaching of SG and RES at participating universities more comprehensive and to enhance the workforces’ knowledge level currently involved in RE market about the application of SG.
The wider objective of the project is to develop and implement interdisciplinary teaching modules in smart grid and grid integration of renewable energy systems (RESs) and establishing an international training center in this field of knowledge where this center aims to facilitate the development of a well-trained, highly skilled smart grid workforce. The developed courses are available for different programmes in the faculties of Engineering and for graduates and community members. Indicators for the progress of these wider objectives are:• The modules are prepared (WP3)• Courses are implemented in curricula of different universities (WP6)• Training sessions and workshops are successfully launched in the training centre (WP10)• Increased interest in the topic of smart grid and Grid-connected RES in MENA universities (WP8).• More visibility of MENA universities internationally, demonstrated by the number of international research & number of attendees to the international conference (WP8).Specific objectives of the AT-SGIRES projectThe specific project objective is to introduce the topic of smart grid and grid integration of renewable energy systems to the curricula of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in different Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries and possibly European Union (EU) universities. An additional specific objective is to deepen understanding of the smart grid projects and grid-connected systems among communities, workforce and university members, and graduates in the MENA region. Furthermore, AT-SGIRES project aims to develop and implement online teaching modules in the field of smart grid impacts of renewable energy for wider dissemination. This also means to enhance cooperation amongst universities in beneficiary countries on the one hand and with EU universities on the other hand in the project field. Finally, another important specific objective is to build the capacity of the teaching staff members in the partner and associated universities through training workshops.Indicators of these specific project objectives are• Courses are integrated into study programs at universities and accredited (WP6)• Courses are developed and uploaded to the virtual online environment (WP3)• Workshops and training sessions are offered for partners and stakeholders (WP5)• Regional and international network is established (WP2)• Centre membership program is developed (WP10). Outputs of the AT-SGIRES projectThe outputs of the AT-SGIRES project are structured through ten work packages (WP1 to WP10), which are described in detail in the following sections. The indicators of progress are• Publishing of report on the Current Situation and the need for Smart Grid education programme (WP 1)• Establishment of e-learning portal (WP3)• Preparing six modules (WP3)• Establishment of Smart Grid laboratories (WP4)• Staff exchange of visits between partners (WP5), • Implementation and teaching of modules (WP6)• 2 evaluation reports (WP7)• Launching of the project website and publishing six newsletters (WP8)• Dissemination of projects activities through workshops, events, seminars, social media, and the website (WP8)• Establishment of the training centre, and developing its operation plan and membership programs (WP10)These indicators are measured by the number of participants in the related activities. Furthermore, the activity on the website and the number of local participants at workshops are measured. There are a number of assumptions and risks to sustain these outputs discussed in the sustainability plan. Activities in the AT-SGIRES project are strongly connected with the WPs, which are described later. Therefore, all of the AT-SGIRES activities required the input of all project partners.