Introduction

The ambitious global commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century places the power sector at the forefront of the energy transition. Decarbonizing the electricity grid is not just a technical challenge but a complex undertaking requiring transformative strategies across generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption. This involves a rapid shift away from fossil fuel-based power generation towards a diverse portfolio of renewable and low-carbon energy sources, coupled with advanced grid management, energy storage, and demand-side solutions. The journey to net-zero requires utilities and system operators to rethink conventional planning, investment, and operational paradigms, embracing innovation to build a resilient, affordable, and clean energy future. Without a comprehensive understanding of Grid Decarbonization and Net-Zero Strategies, energy professionals risk being unprepared for the profound changes sweeping the sector, failing to meet climate targets, and missing opportunities to innovate and lead the transition, underscoring the vital need for specialized expertise in this critical domain. This comprehensive training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master Grid Decarbonization and Net-Zero Strategies.

This training course is meticulously designed to empower power utility executives, engineers, system planners, policy analysts, environmental managers, and regulatory affairs specialists with the theoretical understanding and practical insights necessary to effectively formulate, implement, and manage Grid Decarbonization and Net-Zero Strategies. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the pathways to achieve a net-zero grid, including the massive scaling of renewable energy, the role of firm dispatchable power, advanced grid flexibility, demand-side management, and the crucial financial and regulatory implications of this transition. The course will delve into topics such as integration of variable renewables, long-duration energy storage, green hydrogen, carbon capture technologies, smart grid development, electricity market design, and the development of comprehensive decarbonization roadmaps. By mastering the principles and practical application of Grid Decarbonization and Net-Zero Strategies, participants will be prepared to lead their organizations towards ambitious climate goals, enhance operational efficiency, ensure grid reliability in a low-carbon future, and contribute significantly to building a sustainable and resilient global energy system.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Power Utility Executives and Senior Management
• Electrical Engineers (Generation, Transmission, Distribution)
• Power System Planners and System Operators
• Energy Policy Analysts and Regulators
• Environmental and Sustainability Managers (Utilities)
• Renewable Energy Project Developers
• Grid Modernization and Smart Grid Engineers
• Business Development Managers (Power Sector)
• Consultants in Energy Transition and Climate Change
• Researchers and Academics in Power Systems

Objectives

• Understand the global and national net-zero targets and their implications for the power sector.
• Learn about the technological pathways to achieve deep decarbonization of the grid.
• Acquire skills in planning for and integrating high penetrations of variable renewable energy (VRE).
• Comprehend techniques for optimizing grid flexibility to balance supply and demand.
• Explore strategies for deploying energy storage solutions for short- and long-duration needs.
• Understand the role of demand-side management and energy efficiency in grid decarbonization.
• Gain insights into emerging low-carbon dispatchable technologies (e.g., green hydrogen, advanced nuclear, CCUS).
• Develop a practical understanding of digitalization and smart grid applications for net-zero.
• Learn about electricity market design principles for a decarbonized grid.
• Master carbon accounting, reporting, and emissions trading schemes.
• Acquire skills in assessing and managing climate-related risks to grid infrastructure.
• Understand the application of lifecycle assessment for grid components and technologies.
• Explore policy and regulatory frameworks that accelerate grid decarbonization.
• Develop proficiency in creating comprehensive net-zero roadmaps for power utilities.
• Prepare to strategically lead and manage the transition to a carbon-free power system.

Course Content

Module 1: Understanding Net-Zero and the Urgency for Grid Decarbonization

• Definition of net-zero emissions and its significance for the power sector.
• Global and national climate targets (e.g., Paris Agreement, IPCC pathways).
• The current state of grid emissions and projections.
• Drivers for decarbonization: climate science, policy, economics, public pressure.
• Opportunities and challenges in the transition to a net-zero grid.

Module 2: Renewable Energy Dominance: Solar and Wind Integration at Scale

• Technologies for utility-scale solar PV and wind power (onshore, offshore).
• Challenges of VRE integration: intermittency, variability, forecasting.
• Advanced forecasting techniques for solar and wind.
• Grid code requirements for VRE plants.
• Case studies of high-renewable grids.

Module 3: Enabling Grid Flexibility for Variable Renewables

• Sources of grid flexibility: generation, demand, storage, transmission.
• Flexible operation of conventional plants (e.g., gas turbines).
• Grid services from VRE (e.g., frequency response, voltage support).
• Advanced control systems and real-time operations.
• Market mechanisms for procuring flexibility.

Module 4: Energy Storage Solutions for Decarbonized Grids

• Short-duration storage: battery energy storage systems (BESS), flywheels.
• Long-duration energy storage (LDES): pumped hydro, compressed air, thermal.
• Role of storage in balancing supply and demand, peak shifting.
• Grid services from storage: ancillary services, capacity firming.
• Economic and technical considerations for storage deployment.

Module 5: Green Hydrogen as a Decarbonization Pathway

• Green hydrogen production via electrolysis using renewable electricity.
• Applications in the power sector: power generation (turbines, fuel cells), energy storage.
• Hydrogen infrastructure requirements (production, transport, storage).
• Role of green hydrogen in sector coupling and difficult-to-decarbonize sectors.
• Economics and scalability of green hydrogen.

Module 6: Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) for Power Generation

• Technologies for CO2 capture from power plants (post-combustion, pre-combustion).
• Transportation and geological storage of CO2.
• Utilization pathways for captured CO2 (e.g., e-fuels, building materials).
• Role of CCUS in firming power and industrial decarbonization.
• Policy support and project development for CCUS.

Module 7: Demand-Side Management (DSM) and Energy Efficiency

• Role of DSM in reducing overall energy consumption and peak demand.
• Demand response programs and dynamic pricing.
• Energy efficiency initiatives across sectors (residential, commercial, industrial).
• Smart appliances and automated energy management.
• Behavioral science for energy conservation.

Module 8: Grid Modernization and Digitalization for Net-Zero

• Smart grid technologies: sensors, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), IoT.
• Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS).
• Data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning for grid optimization.
• Digital twins for grid planning and operations.
• Cybersecurity for a highly digitalized grid.

Module 9: Transmission and Distribution Network Expansion and Upgrade

• Planning for new transmission lines to access remote renewable resources.
• Enhancing grid capacity and interconnection for VRE.
• Addressing congestion and power flow challenges.
• Investment in resilient and climate-adapted infrastructure.
• Role of HVDC in long-distance bulk power transfer.

Module 10: Electricity Market Design for Decarbonization

• Market structures supporting VRE integration and flexibility.
• Carbon pricing mechanisms: carbon taxes, emissions trading systems (ETS).
• Capacity markets and mechanisms for firming resources.
• Ancillary services markets for grid stability.
• Locational marginal pricing (LMP) and nodal pricing.

Module 11: Decarbonizing the "Last Mile": Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)

• Role of rooftop solar, community solar, and behind-the-meter storage.
• Microgrids and their role in local resilience and decarbonization.
• Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) aggregating DERs.
• Peer-to-peer energy trading.
• Regulatory frameworks for DER integration.

Module 12: Lifecycle Assessment and Sustainable Grid Components

• Environmental impact of grid infrastructure from raw materials to disposal.
• Decarbonizing the supply chain for grid components.
• Circular economy principles in grid asset management.
• Sustainable sourcing of materials (e.g., low-carbon steel, copper).
• End-of-life management for transformers, cables, and other equipment.

Module 13: Policy, Regulatory, and Financial Frameworks

• Government mandates, incentives, and subsidies for clean energy.
• Role of independent regulatory commissions in guiding decarbonization.
• Green finance, sustainable investing, and ESG considerations.
• De-risking mechanisms for large-scale clean energy projects.
• International collaboration and cross-border grid initiatives.

Module 14: Climate Risk and Resilience in a Decarbonized Grid

• Assessing physical climate risks to grid assets (extreme weather, wildfires).
• Integrating climate resilience into grid planning and investment.
• Adaptation strategies for grid infrastructure.
• Emergency preparedness and recovery for climate-induced disruptions.
• Financial implications of climate risk and disclosure.

Module 15: Developing a Net-Zero Roadmap for Utilities

• Methodologies for setting ambitious yet achievable net-zero targets.
• Scenario analysis and long-term energy modeling.
• Portfolio optimization for cost-effective decarbonization.
• Stakeholder engagement and communication strategies for the energy transition.
• Case studies of utilities leading the net-zero transition.

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 10 working days before commencement of the training.