Smart Grid Training Paths

NWTC will be offering Smart Grid training along two paths.

First will be the on-line certificate courses taken for college credit.  These instructor-led courses will be offered following the NWTC academic calendar. 

Second will be the professional training workshops, executive seminars, and training in the Smart Grid Training Lab.  These one, three, or five day courses can be held at your facilities or at NWTC.  Topics can be accelerated versions of the on-line certificate courses, customer courses covering several topics, or high level overviews targeted at management teams.  The bottom line is that these are custom courses developed to fit your specific needs. The Training Lab learning will occur primarily through specific technology exercises with the Smart Grid devices that make up the Lab.

We've added two new courses:
     Smart Grid: Sustainability, Renewable Energy, and Environmental Protection, and
     Smart Grid Impact on the Organizational Structure of Energy Providers

Smart Grid Workforce Training Laboratory

We've awarded contracts to the 'trailer' developer (Hampden Engineering) and the substation relay trainer (System Controls).

Because of budget constraints we've decided to acquire the training devices in two phases.  Phase one will include the relay trainer which will train on enhanced reliability, self healing grid, distribution automation and distribution management systems.  In addition we'll be able to train on distributed generation, including renewable energy, interconnection, Microgrids, Smart Meter training, demand response, and consumer participation in the energy markets (selling energy or load reduction).  This training capability will be available this November.

Phase two will commence when we have secured additional funds.  Phase two will include a distribution automation/distribution management system trainer, a Volt/VAR trainer, a HAN trainer, electric vehicle charging, deeper training on the smart meeter including meter data management systems, deeper training on distribution automation, and a trainer for introduction to the power grid and demand response.