As climate change intensifies, the power grid—a system designed for a more stable climate—is facing unprecedented challenges from extreme weather events, including heatwaves, hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. The traditional approach of simply restoring power after an outage is no longer sufficient. A new strategic vision is required to proactively design and build a power grid that can withstand and rapidly recover from these shocks. A climate-resilient grid is not only about preventing blackouts but also about ensuring the safety, economic stability, and continuity of essential services in the face of a changing climate.

This program provides a comprehensive and practical deep dive into the principles of designing and managing a climate-resilient power grid. Participants will gain a fundamental understanding of how to conduct a climate-risk assessment, implement grid hardening measures, and leverage new technologies to enhance system resilience. The course covers everything from building codes and vegetation management to the strategic deployment of microgrids and distributed energy resources. By focusing on real-world case studies and collaborative exercises, attendees will be equipped to tackle the complexities of grid modernization and build a more robust and adaptable electricity system for the future.

Duration: 10 days

Target Audience:

• Power System Planners and Engineers
• Utility Executives and Managers
• Emergency Management Professionals
• Urban and Infrastructure Planners
• Energy Policy Analysts and Regulators
• Grid Operations and Reliability Staff
• Risk Management Professionals
• Public Works and Civil Engineers
• Technology and Innovation Leaders
• Consultants in the Energy Sector

Objectives:

• Master the core principles of climate-resilient grid design and operation.
• Learn how to conduct a comprehensive climate-risk and vulnerability assessment.
• Understand the key technologies and strategies for grid hardening.
• Grasp the complexities of designing for redundancy and rapid recovery.
• Develop proficiency in leveraging microgrids and distributed energy resources.
• Explore best practices in vegetation management and infrastructure protection.
• Learn about robust approaches to integrating climate data into planning models.
• Identify the critical legal, regulatory, and financial considerations.
• Develop skills in building stakeholder buy-in for resilience investments.
• Formulate strategies for a data-driven approach to grid resilience.

Course Modules:

Module 1: The Resiliency Imperative

• Defining grid resilience and climate risk
• The impact of extreme weather on power infrastructure
• The business case for investing in resilience
• The difference between reliability and resilience
• An overview of a climate-resilient grid framework

Module 2: Climate-Risk & Vulnerability Assessment

• Identifying climate hazards and their impact on the grid
• Methodologies for vulnerability assessment
• Using climate models and data to inform planning
• The role of a clear and focused research question
• The importance of a stakeholder-inclusive process

Module 3: Grid Hardening Strategies

• Engineering for extreme wind and ice loads
• Protecting infrastructure from floods and storm surges
• Hardening transmission and distribution lines
• Best practices for undergrounding infrastructure
• The role of a "risk and mitigation" plan

Module 4: Vegetation Management

• The role of vegetation in grid outages
• Developing a strategic vegetation management plan
• The use of GIS and remote sensing
• The legal and regulatory aspects of vegetation management
• The importance of a simple scorecard and a dashboard

Module 5: Microgrids & Decentralization

• The role of microgrids in enhancing resilience
• Islanding capabilities and continuity of service
• Designing microgrids for critical loads (e.g., hospitals)
• The importance of a "data story map"
• The business models for microgrid development

Module 6: Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)

• The role of solar, wind, and battery storage in resilience
• Using DERs to provide backup power
• The concept of a "virtual power plant"
• Leveraging DERs for grid services
• The importance of a program's theory of change

Module 7: Advanced Grid Technologies

• Smart grid technologies and their role in resilience
• Real-time monitoring and control (SCADA)
• The use of sensors and predictive analytics
• The role of advanced communication networks
• The importance of a "stakeholder analysis"

Module 8: System Redundancy & Recovery

• Designing for redundancy in transmission and distribution
• The principles of rapid restoration and recovery
• The role of mobile and temporary generation
• The importance of a clear and compelling KPI
• Lessons from past outages and incidents

Module 9: Interdependencies & Critical Infrastructure

• The grid's interdependencies with other sectors (e.g., water, transport)
• Identifying critical infrastructure dependencies
• The role of a simple scorecard and a dashboard
• Planning for a whole-of-system approach
• Collaboration between public and private sectors

Module 10: Policy, Regulation, and Incentives

• The role of government policy in driving resilience
• Regulatory frameworks for resilience planning
• Performance-based regulations
• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style
• Financing models for resilience projects

Module 11: Financial & Economic Analysis

• The economics of resilience investments
• Cost-benefit analysis of hardening measures
• Valuing the benefits of avoided outages
• The role of a "risk and mitigation" plan
• Public and private financing for resilience

Module 12: Project Management for Resilience

• Integrating resilience into project planning
• Managing complex infrastructure projects
• The importance of a clear and focused research question
• The use of a "data story map"
• Navigating regulatory and community approvals

Module 13: Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Developing a robust emergency response plan
• The role of communication with the public and stakeholders
• The use of data during an emergency
• The importance of a program's theory of change
• Post-event assessment and learning

Module 14: Case Studies in Resilience

• Case study: A utility's response to a major hurricane
• Case study: Designing a grid for wildfire risk
• Case study: Building a microgrid for a hospital
• Lessons learned from global resilience projects
• The future of grid resilience

Module 15: Cyber-Physical Security

• The importance of securing the grid from cyber threats
• Protecting OT and IT systems
• The role of a "stakeholder analysis"
• The intersection of climate and cyber risks
• Best practices for securing a resilient grid

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.