Sustainable Engineering & Circular Economy: Design For A Greener Future In Electrical Engineering

Introduction:

Sustainable Engineering and Circular Economy empowers electrical engineers to integrate sustainable design and manufacturing practices into their work. This course focuses on minimizing environmental impact, maximizing resource efficiency, and fostering a circular economy within electrical engineering. Participants will learn how to implement eco-design principles, utilize renewable materials, and apply life-cycle assessment (LCA) to create sustainable electrical products and systems. This course bridges the gap between traditional electrical engineering and the urgent need for environmental responsibility, empowering professionals to build a more sustainable and resilient future.

Target Audience:

This course is designed for electrical engineers, product designers, and professionals involved in the development and manufacturing of electrical products and systems, including:

• Electrical Engineers
• Product Designers
• Manufacturing Engineers
• Sustainability Managers
• Environmental Engineers
• Research and Development Engineers
• Professionals in Electronics, Energy, and Manufacturing

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this Sustainable Engineering and Circular Economy course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles and applications of sustainable engineering and circular economy in electrical engineering.
• Implement eco-design principles for sustainable product development.
• Utilize renewable and recyclable materials in electrical product design.
• Implement life-cycle assessment (LCA) for environmental impact evaluation.
• Understand the challenges and opportunities of implementing circular economy strategies.
• Implement strategies for reducing energy consumption and waste in manufacturing processes.
• Understand the role of renewable energy and energy efficiency in sustainable electrical systems.
• Implement strategies for product end-of-life management and recycling.
• Understand the impact of regulations and policies on sustainable engineering practices.
• Utilize simulation and modeling tools for sustainable design analysis.
• Implement strategies for sustainable supply chain management.
• Enhance their ability to design and implement sustainable electrical products and systems.
• Improve their organization's environmental performance and sustainability initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of a circular economy in the electrical engineering industry.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in sustainable engineering.
• Become a more knowledgeable and effective sustainable electrical engineer.
• Understand ethical considerations in sustainable design and manufacturing.
• Learn how to use sustainable design and LCA tools efficiently.

Duration

10 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Sustainable Engineering and Circular Economy

• Overview of environmental challenges and the need for sustainable practices.
• Understanding the principles of sustainable engineering and circular economy.
• Introduction to life-cycle assessment (LCA) and eco-design.
• Review of relevant standards and regulations (ISO 14001, RoHS).
• Setting the stage for integrating sustainability into electrical engineering.

Module 2: Eco-Design Principles for Sustainable Product Development

• Understanding eco-design methodologies and tools.
• Implementing design for environment (DfE) strategies.
• Analyzing the environmental impact of product design choices.
• Implementing design for disassembly and recyclability.
• Understanding the importance of material selection.

Module 3: Renewable and Recyclable Materials in Electrical Product Design

• Understanding the properties and applications of renewable materials (bio-based polymers, recycled metals).
• Implementing strategies for material substitution and optimization.
• Analyzing the environmental impact of material choices.
• Understanding the challenges of material sourcing and supply chain.
• Understanding the importance of material passports.

Module 4: Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) for Environmental Impact Evaluation

• Understanding the principles and methodologies of LCA.
• Implementing LCA software and tools.
• Analyzing the environmental impact of product life cycles (cradle-to-grave).
• Utilizing LCA for decision-making and product improvement.
• Understanding the importance of data quality in LCA.

Module 5: Implementing Circular Economy Strategies

• Understanding the principles of circular economy (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover).
• Implementing circular business models (product-as-a-service, closed-loop systems).
• Analyzing the economic and environmental benefits of circular economy.
• Understanding the challenges of implementing circular economy strategies.
• Understanding the importance of industrial symbiosis.

Module 6: Reducing Energy Consumption and Waste in Manufacturing Processes

• Implementing energy-efficient manufacturing technologies.
• Utilizing lean manufacturing and waste reduction techniques.
• Implementing strategies for water conservation and pollution prevention.
• Analyzing the environmental impact of manufacturing processes.
• Understanding the importance of process optimization.

Module 7: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Sustainable Electrical Systems

• Understanding the principles and applications of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass).
• Implementing energy efficiency measures in electrical systems and devices.
• Analyzing the impact of renewable energy integration on grid sustainability.
• Understanding the role of smart grids and energy storage.
• Understanding the importance of energy audits.

Module 8: Product End-of-Life Management and Recycling

• Understanding the principles and practices of product end-of-life management.
• Implementing strategies for electronic waste (e-waste) recycling and recovery.
• Analyzing the environmental impact of e-waste disposal.
• Understanding the role of extended producer responsibility (EPR).
• Understanding the importance of take-back programs.

Module 9: Regulations and Policies for Sustainable Engineering Practices

• Understanding the impact of environmental regulations and policies on electrical engineering.
• Implementing strategies for regulatory compliance and environmental reporting.
• Analyzing the role of government incentives and subsidies.
• Understanding the importance of international standards and agreements.
• Understanding the role of environmental management systems.

Module 10: Simulation and Modeling Tools for Sustainable Design Analysis

• Utilizing simulation tools for energy and material flow analysis.
• Implementing modeling techniques for environmental impact assessment.
• Analyzing the performance of sustainable design solutions using simulation tools.
• Understanding the importance of accurate modeling.
• Understanding the use of building information modeling (BIM) for sustainability.

Module 11: Sustainable Supply Chain Management

• Understanding the principles of sustainable supply chain management.
• Implementing strategies for supplier evaluation and selection.
• Analyzing the environmental and social impacts of supply chain activities.
• Understanding the role of traceability and transparency.
• Understanding the importance of ethical sourcing.

Module 12: Sustainable Electronics and Green Computing

• Understanding the principles of sustainable electronics and green computing.
• Implementing energy-efficient design for electronic devices and systems.
• Utilizing strategies for reducing the environmental impact of data centers.
• Analyzing the life cycle of electronic components and devices.
• Understanding the importance of virtualisation.

Module 13: Sustainable Energy Storage and Smart Grids

• Understanding the role of energy storage in sustainable energy systems.
• Implementing strategies for integrating energy storage into smart grids.
• Analyzing the environmental impact of energy storage technologies.
• Understanding the role of demand response and energy management.
• Understanding the importance of distributed generation.

Module 14: Case Studies and Applications in Electrical Engineering

• Analyzing real-world case studies of sustainable engineering and circular economy in electrical engineering.
• Learning from successful and unsuccessful projects.
• Identifying best practices for integrating sustainability into electrical engineering workflows.
• Discussing the challenges and opportunities of implementing sustainable solutions.
• Sharing knowledge and lessons learned from different domains and contexts.

Module 15: Future Trends and Research Directions

• Exploring emerging trends in sustainable engineering (bioelectronics, smart materials).
• Understanding the impact of evolving technologies and policies on sustainability.
• Discussing research directions and opportunities for innovation.
• Developing a roadmap for continuous improvement in sustainability capabilities.
• Staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in sustainable engineering and circular economy.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world.

The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 5 working days before commencement of the training.