Assessing Sustainable Energy Community Systems Course Content
Module 1 (half a day): Energy Evaluation and Assessment Tools
Module 2 (half a day): Renewables, Intermittency, and the Electrical Grid
Module 3 (half a day): Sustainable Energy Policies and Programs
Module 1 (half a day): Energy Evaluation and Assessment Tools
Faculty: Dr. Stephan Schott – Professor School of Public Policy and Administration, Faculty of Public Affairs, Carleton University
Module Objective and Learning Outcomes:
The objective of the module is to introduce some of the major assessment methods and tools used in the energy sector and to teach students how to critically apply concepts and models to contemporary energy issues and challenges. Students will learn to deploy appropriate techniques and metrics — including those related to technical features, efficiency, social aspects, economic cost and environment impact – and to evaluate the performance of energy systems.
Overview:
Evaluation methods and assessment tools are explored and discussed in the specific context of the energy sector with a focus on technology, finance, markets and policy. This module will provide an introduction to cost-benefit analysis methodologies, valuing benefits and costs in energy markets, shadow pricing and discounting. This is followed by an introduction to multiple objective analysis and the evaluation of alternative energy systems including the investment into new renewable energy sources. Various components will be illustrated with practical examples and interactive exercises. Students will get the chance to apply some of the methods and models in an applied integrated project with the other modules.
Outline:
- Stages of a cost-benefit analysis
- Valuing benefits and cost over time
- Cost effectiveness tests in the energy sector
- Multiple criteria analysis
- Avoided cost analysis and the net benefits of alternative energy systems
Module 2 (half a day): Renewables, Intermittency, and the Electrical Grid
Faculty: Dr. Jean Duquette – Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Design, Carleton University
Module Objective and Learning Outcomes:
The objective of this module is to introduce students to key aspects of the basic energy system architecture and provide them with an understanding of the main challenges associated with integrating sustainable energy sources in the electrical grid. Students will learn to use Excel-based modeling tools for assessing local energy sources and selecting and sizing appropriate energy conversion systems. A key outcome of the module will be to quantify the technical and environmental impacts of displacing carbon-based technologies with sustainable alternatives.
Overview:
Components of an energy system are introduced and service delivery pathways are explained. Primary energy sources (alternative vs. traditional) are presented and characterized by frequency, density, and intermittency, bringing to light the problem of temporal mismatch between sources and loads. Statistical representations of load such as the load duration curve are shown as a tool for understanding conventional grid operation approaches (in both regulated and deregulated markets) and a screening curve methodology is presented as a means for determining the energy mix in any given jurisdiction. Finally, the concept of treating sustainable energy generation as a negative load is introduced to gauge the short- and long-term impacts of integrating an intermittent source in a fossil-fuel dominated energy system. A run-of-river hydro application is presented to demonstrate the various technical steps of a sustainable energy project that are required from start to finish such as the resource assessment, sizing of the turbine, and annual energy evaluation.
Outline
- Basic energy system architecture: energy source characteristics
- The electrical grid – load and market structure
- Short- and long-term impacts of increasing intermittent renewable energy generation in the electrical grid
- Mitigating the impacts of intermittency
- The big picture – improved energy system architecture and efficiency
- Renewable energy technology focus: Run-of-river hydro
Module 3 (half a day): Sustainable Energy Policies and Programs
Faculty: Dr. Alexandra Mallett – Associate Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration, Faculty of Public Affairs, Carleton University
Module Objective and Learning Outcomes:
The objective of the module is to provide a high-level overview of policy making and government (in a Canadian context) and then examining relevant policies and programs applicable to community-level sustainable energy projects. Through this module students will demonstrate an understanding of the range and substance of policies and programs related to community-level sustainable energy deployment in Canada.
Overview:
This module will first provide an overview of how political systems work (with a focus on federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal governments), the role of institutions and the operation of the executive, judiciary, legislation, and bureaucracy. Next, the module will turn to public policy – its purpose and assessment. This includes problem definition, goals and the mechanisms to achieve said goals. In addition, this section will examine the various lenses through which to examine public policy (e.g. rational lens, Indigenous lens, Gender-Based Analysis + (GBA+), and environment and climate change). From there, the module will turn to sustainable energy policy design and the choice of policy instruments. At a broad level, this can include a continuum of ‘doing nothing’ to the direct provision of goods and services (e.g. education, military). However, the module will focus on what are termed indirect instruments or those policy tools that seek to change the behaviour of individuals, firms, and / or groups. These instruments include information (e.g. advertisement campaigns), expenditure (e.g. tax breaks and / or grants), and regulation (e.g. requiring a permit to install a renewable energy system to a community-level stand-alone electricity grid). This section will also cover the criteria that governments often use when making decisions around which policies / programs to pursue (effectiveness, efficiency, fairness/distributional effects, and political considerations). From there, the module will turn to the mechanics of some of the principal policies and programs seen in the context of sustainable energy policies and program (e.g. a carbon tax, a regulation around the amount of renewable energy penetration a community can have, the proposed Clean Electricity Standard at the federal level, etc.). The module will conclude with policy / program implementation and evaluation and their potential effects on community-level sustainable energy projects.
Outline
- Political systems, institutions, government (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal)
- Why public policy (problem definition, goals, instruments)
- Policy design (information, expenditure and regulation) and choice (assessment criteria typically used by governments)
- Mechanics of some of the main sustainable energy policies and programs in Canada
- Policy / program implementation and evaluation
Module 4 (half a day): Pursuing Sustainable Energy Options at the Community-level: an integrated hands-on example
Faculty: Dr. Jean Duquette – Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Design, Carleton University
Dr. Stephan Schott – Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration, Faculty of Public Affairs, Carleton University
Dr. Alexandra Mallett – Associate Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration, Faculty of Public Affairs, Carleton University
Module Objective and Learning Outcomes:
The objective of the module is to provide a hands-on opportunity to assess the feasibility of a renewable energy electricity generation project for a remote community within Canada.
Overview:
This module will provide an opportunity of students to apply the principles taught in modules 1-3 in an integrative realistic exercise.
Outline
- Technical assessment of the status quo and the renewable energy alternative
- Community preferences and multiple criteria analysis
- Avoided costs and net benefits of the alternative system
- Considering the socio-political context and program implementation