Sustainable Energy Solutions for Communities

Compulsary For MSc YES
Socio-economic
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Students will be able to address gender and social dynamics of communities that have impact on energy access, and apply principles of sustainable development when formulating energy solutions for communities, taking into account climate change impact. They will also be able to assimilate the content learned from other (technical and socio-economic) courses when developing various optimal energy solutions for communities.

Exit Level Outcomes: Hard (H) & Soft (S) Skills

  1. H# 1: Analyze the gender and social context of communities (Gender and Socio-Economic Dynamics, Data Analysis)
  2. H# 2: Assess energy needs of identified communities (Energy Access, Gender and Socio-Economic Dynamics, Sustainable Energy Development)
  3. H# 3: Develop socially relevant, innovative and user-sensitive energy solutions (Energy Access, Gender and Socio-Economic Dynamics, Sustainable Energy Development, Teamwork, Creativity)
  4. H# 4: Design appropriate gender responsive sustainable energy solutions for communities (Energy Access, Gender and Socio-Economic Dynamics, Sustainable Energy Development, Creativity)
  5. H# 5: Assess energy-water-food security nexus in the context of climate change (Energy Access, Gender and Socio-Economic Dynamics, Sustainable Energy Development)
  6. H# 6: Apply the principles of sustainable development in undertaking energy projects in communities (Gender and Socio-economic dynamics, Data analysis)
  7. H# 7: Design hybrid energy systems (solar, wind, hydro, bio) for specific geographic locations using computer simulation and optimization tools, HOMER (Modelling)
  8. S# 1: Survey literature on sustainable energy for communities (Life-long Learning)
  9. S# 2: Communicate effectively the designed solutions to the communities to solicit buy-in (Communication)
  10. S# 3: Work cooperatively in a student-team to identify socially relevant energy solutions (Teamwork)
  11. S# 4: Study sustainable energy material online (Digital Literacy)
  12. S# 5: Prepare a term paper on appropriate sustainable energy solutions for communities (Writing Skills)

Facilitators

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Prof. Leboli Zak Thamae
Associate professor with broad knowledge of modelling and simulation of electronic / electrical engineering systems (HOMER and RETScreen – Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems, MAED – Energy / Electricity  Demand, MESSAGE – Energy / Electricity Supply), supported by strong exposure in strategic leadership, corporate governance, policy, reform and regulation of infrastructure services ... read more
Courses
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Mr. Matsoso Mothala
He is a Project Manager responsible for the overall management of all projects in the centre and liaising with the Administrator, Administrative Assistant, University Projects Officer in the Bursar’s Office and all other internal and external stakeholders. He holds a Masters degree is Sustainable Energy. His research interest include energy economics, energy policy and socio-economic impacts of renewable energy mini-grids.... read more
Courses

Tentative Topics