Smart grids and smart cities (ECON959_SOLEM )

• Semester 9
• Duration :  Within one semester  
• Type: Mandatory

• Student workload:  Lecture (CM): 18 hours, 20 hours of self-study 

• Applicability: ESBC course only

•  Teaching and learning method : Lecture, case studies, discussion 

• Module examination:  1 written exam (60%), 1 Assignment (25%), 1 individual presentation (15%)

Responsible person for the module: Rowena Mathew- Ph.D in economics, IREGE Laboratory, IAE, USMB

Research fields: Environmental economics, energy transitions, climate change mitigation, renewable energy storage, electric vehicles, household electricity, economic modelling

Thesis: Optimising usage of electric vehicles and solar PV in households for increased energy storage and welfare - Resume

https://www.irege.univ-smb.fr/en/phd-students/

Major intended learning outcomes:

• Upon completion of the module students will 
• Understand the need and context for smart grids and smart cities 
• Describe and understand the new energy paradigm and gain a holistic perspective of sustainable energy systems 
• Describe and understand energy transitions and the role of smart technologies to facilitate it 
• Assess the complexity of electricity systems and its transformation to a low carbon economy 
• Contextualise applicability in different countries  
• Be able to identify key actors, best cases and organizations 

Admission to 2nd year

Content of the module:

• Classes 1 and 2 - Introduction to Climate Change, Climate Finance and Principles of Environmental Economics. Introduction to Smart Grids, Smart Cities and Context/Need of Energy Transition.   
• Classes 3 and 4 - Energy Transition (contd.) and Electricity Markets, Smart Citizens who are 'prosumers', Types of Smart Technology. 
• Class 5 Best Practices in Smart Cities/Smart Grids, Discussion on practical case studies. 
• Classes 6 and 7  - Submission of Homework Assignment (25%). Business models, Renewable Energy Integration and Operation, Distributed Generation. 
• Classes 8 and 9  - Individual presentations in class (15%). Various Applications of Smart Grids, Key financial factors, Industry trends, Introduction to Modelling. 
• Class 10 - Energy policy and regulations at regional, national and sub-national level.  
• Class 11 - Integrating IT, Telecom and Cyber Security. 
• Class 12  - Final written exam (60%) 

Suggested Readings:  

• Calearo, L., Ziras, C., Sevdari, K., & Marinelli, M. (2021). Comparison of Smart Charging and Battery Energy Storage System for a PV Prosumer with an EV. Proceedings of 2021 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Europe: Smart Grids: Toward a Carbon-Free Future, ISGT Europe 2021. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISGTEurope52324.2021.9640120  
• Longo, M., Yaïci, W., & Foiadelli, F. (2017). Electric vehicles charged with residential’s roof solar photovoltaic system: A case study in Ottawa. 2017 IEEE 6th International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications (ICRERA), 121–125. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wahiba-Yaici/publication/321816071_Electric_vehicles_charged_with_residential’s_roof_solar_photovoltaic_system_A_case_study_in_Ottawa/links/5a340c8745851532e82cb062/Electric-vehicles-charged-with-residentials-roof-solar-photovoltaic-system-A-case-study-in-Ottawa.pdf  
• MEADOWS, Donella; RANDERS, Jorgen; MEADOWS, Dennis. Limits to Growth: the 30-year update. London: Earthscan, 2004.  
• Tietenberg T. and Lewis L. : Environmental Economics and Policy, Pearson Education, 6th ed., 2010 
• Kolstad C.D. : Environmental Economics, Oxford University Press, 2010 
• Stern Commission Report 

Reports, Websites: 

• International Energy Agency (IEA) https://www.iea.org/reports/smart-grids  
• United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) 
• United States Environment Protection Agency (US EPA) 
• European Union Commission (EC) 
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 
• World Economic Forum (WEF) 
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) 
• Stern Commission Report 
• Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 
• European Technology Platform for Electricity Networks of the Future 
• UCES/IAE. 2021. Are we getting the best out of Smart Home Technologies? The role of usability. https://userstcp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Usability-Report-Final-Oct-2021.pdf. 
• Energy Future Coalition. 2003. Smart Grid Working Group. "Challenge and Opportunity: Charting a New Energy Future, Appendix A: Working Group Reports"