The renewable energy sector is a mosaic of diverse and interconnected technologies, each with its own unique engineering, economic, and policy considerations. To truly excel in this rapidly expanding field, professionals must move beyond a narrow focus on a single technology and develop a comprehensive understanding of the entire renewable energy ecosystem. This includes mastering the principles of solar, wind, geothermal, bioenergy, and more, as well as the strategic skills needed to integrate them into a cohesive and efficient system. This specialization course is designed to provide this holistic expertise, empowering participants to become versatile and effective leaders in the clean energy transition.

This program offers a broad and in-depth exploration of the primary renewable energy sources, their key components, and the strategic business models that drive their successful deployment. Participants will gain actionable insights into everything from the design of a solar PV system and the intricacies of wind farm development to the unique challenges of geothermal and the potential of bioenergy. By integrating technical knowledge with commercial and policy analysis, the course prepares attendees to evaluate a wide range of renewable energy opportunities, make informed investment decisions, and contribute to the development of robust, resilient, and sustainable energy systems.

Duration: 10 days

Target Audience:

• Energy Engineers and Analysts
• Project Developers and Managers
• Financial Analysts and Investors
• Utility and Power Generation Professionals
• Government and Policy Professionals
• Business Development Professionals
• Consultants in the Energy Sector
• Researchers in Renewable Energy
• Professionals transitioning into clean energy
• Graduate Students in Energy and Engineering

Objectives:

• Understand the foundational principles and key characteristics of all major renewable energy sources.
• Master the technical and design considerations for solar, wind, and geothermal projects.
• Learn about the core components and processes of bioenergy and hydropower.
• Grasp the economic models and financial viability of different renewable technologies.
• Develop proficiency in assessing and mitigating technology-specific project risks.
• Explore best practices in renewable energy integration and grid management.
• Learn about robust approaches to energy storage and its role in a high-renewables grid.
• Identify the critical legal, regulatory, and policy considerations for each technology.
• Develop skills in communicating technical and economic data to different stakeholders.
• Formulate strategies for a data-driven approach to energy transition.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Foundations of Renewable Energy

• The global energy landscape and the case for renewables
• The key drivers of the energy transition
• The different types of renewable energy sources
• The concept of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)
• An overview of the renewable energy value chain

Module 2: Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

• The science of solar PV
• Components of a solar PV system: panels, inverters, mounting
• On-grid vs. off-grid system design
• The economics of solar PV
• The role of a clear and focused research question

Module 3: Wind Energy Systems

• The physics of wind power
• Components of a modern wind turbine
• Onshore vs. offshore wind farm development
• Wind resource assessment and site selection
• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style

Module 4: Geothermal Energy

• The geological origins of geothermal heat
• Hydrothermal, petrothermal, and hybrid systems
• Different geothermal power plant technologies (dry steam, flash, binary)
• The baseload potential of geothermal energy
• The role of a "risk and mitigation" plan

Module 5: Bioenergy and Biofuels

• The concept of bioenergy and its sources
• Biomass-to-energy conversion technologies
• The production of biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel)
• The sustainability and environmental impacts of bioenergy
• The importance of a simple scorecard and a dashboard

Module 6: Hydropower and Ocean Energy

• The principles of hydropower generation
• Types of hydropower plants (e.g., run-of-river, storage)
• The environmental and social impacts of hydropower
• Tidal, wave, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC)
• The role of a "data story map"

Module 7: Energy Storage Technologies

• The role of energy storage in grid stability
• Different types of storage (battery, pumped hydro, thermal)
• Sizing and placing energy storage systems
• The economics of storage and its business models
• The importance of a program's theory of change

Module 8: Grid Integration

• The challenges of integrating variable renewables
• The role of smart grid technology
• Managing grid stability and ancillary services
• The need for new transmission infrastructure
• The impact of a clear and compelling KPI

Module 9: Project Development Lifecycle

• From preliminary survey to project closure
• Key phases: development, financing, construction, operation
• Navigating permitting and regulatory processes
• The importance of a "stakeholder analysis"
• Managing complex supply chains

Module 10: Financial and Economic Analysis

• Financial modeling for renewable energy projects
• The role of a "risk and mitigation" plan
• Key financial metrics (NPV, IRR, Payback Period)
• Sources of capital and financing structures
• The economics of different technologies

Module 11: Policy and Regulatory Frameworks

• The role of government policy in market creation
• Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and feed-in tariffs
• Carbon pricing and other market mechanisms
• The legal and regulatory environment for renewable energy
• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style

Module 12: Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)

• The rise of DERs (rooftop solar, microgrids)
• The business case for DERs
• Aggregating DERs for grid services
• The role of EVs and V2G
• Regulatory challenges for DERs

Module 13: Operations and Asset Management

• The business of running a renewable energy plant
• Optimizing operations for maximum revenue
• Predictive maintenance and asset health
• The role of a digital twin
• The importance of a clear and focused research question

Module 14: Risk Management

• Identifying and mitigating market, political, and regulatory risks
• Technology risk assessment and management
• Insurance and other risk transfer mechanisms
• The role of a "data story map"
• Project risk management

Module 15: Corporate Strategy

• The role of a simple scorecard and a dashboard
• Corporate procurement of renewable energy
• The role of corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs)
• Investing in energy transition
• Building a corporate sustainability strategy

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.