The Centre for Substation Automation and Energy Management Systems (CSAEMS) is offering a new and innovative Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering in Smart Grids qualification.

Raynitchka Tzoneva, a professor in Electrical Engineering says this qualification is built on the application of the IEC61850 standard in Substation Automation and Smart Grids, which makes CPUT the first institution in the world to offer such specialisation.

“The qualification programme is unique because it teaches integrated knowledge for IEC61850 standard-based technologies for monitoring, protection, optimisation and control necessary for the building of Smart Grids. The subjects have a strong practical component requiring the real-time implementation of the solutions developed by the students in the research laboratory” says Tzoneva.

She said similar Master’s programmes which have been in existence for years all over the world mainly teach the students some aspects of the technology of the Distributed Energy Resources which represent only one part of the Smart Grid. “CPUT’s programme looks at the Smart Grid as a whole,” Tzoneva says.

She adds that the new qualification is developed and accredited under an Erasmus+ K2 capacity building project called “Development of a hArmonized MOdular Curriculum (DAMOC) for the Smart Grid,” aiming capacity building at African higher education institutions.

According to Tzoneva the team consists of three leading universities from Europe and five universities from Africa. “Through the DAMOC project funds, a new Real-Time Digital Simulator, called NovaCor, from RTDS Technologies, Canada, and the only one in South Africa was purchased especially for the implementation of Smart Grid Systems in the research laboratory”.

The duration for this course is two years; the students concentrate half of their time attending classes, and the other half of their time working on their research projects. Tzoneva adds that bridging courses will be presented too to align the initial knowledge of the students.

“The specialist in Smart Grids has to have knowledge of the power systems, control systems, computers systems and communication systems to be capable to work on and lead projects incorporating smart meters, smart appliances, variable renewable energy resources, intelligent power substations, IEC61850 standard-based communication and digital information and control systems.”

The programme has six subjects (five compulsory and one elective) and a research project. It will be presented at the end of March to the local and international specialists during the final dissemination DAMOC meeting/conference at Stellenbosch University.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Efforts to develop Africa’s future energy workforce will receive a welcome boost with several universities in Africa identified to benefit from the roll-out of Electrical Engineering Masters and Doctoral programmes specializing in Smart Grids.

The DAMOC project, short for the Development of a Harmonized Modular Curriculum for the Smart Grid, is an ambitious programme funded by the ERASMUS + KA2 initiative, which promotes platforms for cooperation in innovation and the exchange of good practices in the international higher education sector.

CPUT’s Centre for Substation Automation and Energy Management Systems (CSAEMS) has been identified to participate in the DAMOC project, along with Stellenbosch University, University Of Pretoria, as well as two Tanzania-based institutions, which include The Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology and the University of Dar Es Salaam.

Director of the CSAEMS and a leading expert in Smart Grids, Prof Raynitchka Tzoneva, will lead the CPUT delegation, who this month will attend the project’s kick-off meeting in Germany.

Smart grid technology is a highly specialized area of electrical engineering, which focuses on development of standard-based monitoring, protection and control integrated power systems that allow electricity suppliers to monitor the flow of electricity, improve transmission and storage, as well as facilitate the distribution of energy generated from alternative sources, such as wind turbines. The skills developed in this area are crucial for the development of the energy sector and will help address Africa’s energy woes.

“Envisioned outcomes of this project are new, interdisciplinary master and doctor courses implemented at partner institutions in Africa, running laboratories, online courses, and improved networking between the partners,” says Tzoneva.

The Masters and Doctoral courses will include modules such as emerging standards for smart grid, power electronics, integration of renewable energy into the power system, cyber security, and virtual power plants.

Tzoneva says specialised laboratories will also be set up at CPUT and the Nelson Mandela African Institute Of Science and Technology.

The European partners include Dresden University of Technology in Germany, Università degli Studi Guglielmo Marconi in Italy, and Karlstad University in Sweden.

The project will receive support from the South African National Energy Development Institute – South Africa.

The DAMOC project will run over the course of three years.

Written by Candes Keating
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