Course details

Overview ?

What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy is energy that can be generated and used without depleting the source. Examples include energy derived from moving water (hydropower), wind power, heat of the Earth (geothermal energy) and the sun (solar energy). Energy derived from the burning of coal, oil or uranium is not considered renewable because they are finite resources. Coal, for example, while naturally occurring, took hundreds of millions of years to form and therefore is not considered renewable on a human timescale.

If you are interested in renewable energies and sustainable energy technology? Then this Renewable Energy course is ideal for you!
This course is intended to enhance your knowledge to make the world a better place by producing energy from renewable resources. Besides, you'll understand various alternative energy resources. You'll be provided with a strong base and information on different types of renewable energies that can be practiced for the betterment of the environment.

Course Objectives

This course aims to enhance the capacity of local decision makers, energy/sustainable development officers and other personnel to make an informed decision on which renewable energy technologies will meet their own needs or the needs of their countries, communities, villages or neighborhoods.

Target Audience

The course is open to those in the business, non-profit, public and academic sectors who wish to install renewable energy systems in both urban and rural settings or make their contribution to reducing carbon emissions through energy efficiency and the use of sustainable energy sources. The course aims to provide delegates with a high-level understanding of the key issues as well as sufficient technical insights to allow them to make informed decisions about technology choices.

Sustainable Development Officers
Energy Officers
Strategic Managers of Planning and Environmental Services
Community Planning Officers
Local Authority Representatives
Policymakers and Regulators
Development Officers
Social and Economic Development Officers
Entrepreneur

Outline

Unit 1 - Overview of Renewable Energy Sources

Energy production and energy economics
Climate change, energy contribution to carbon emissions and the evolution of renewable energy
Solar Power (from rooftop to solar farm)
Bioenergy
Hydroelectricity
Tidal Power
Wind Energy
Wave Energy
Geothermal

Unit 2 - Renewable Energy Technologies, Sustainability and Costings

What technologies are needed for each type of renewable energy
What are the construction costs for renewable energy plants
How do costs compare with conventional power sources
Renewable energy lifecycle costs
Battery technology and energy storage (community, corporate and individual)
Comparative sustainability analysis
Public and private applications
Integration with the grid, including network integration issues and costs

Unit 3 - Government Regulation, Targets and Investment

Government energy strategies compared
International climate change regulation and targets
Government budgeting and spending on renewable energy
The internal decision-making process for government including legislative oversight
Working with the private sector: PPP for renewable energy
International differences in renewable energy and their causes
Renewable energy and city planning
Environmental assessment and community involvement

Unit 4 - Markets, Competition, and Pricing

World energy markets – international differences in market structure and pricing
Energy markets – wholesale and retail
Analysing offtakers: industry, agriculture and consumers
Subsidies and differential pricing/tariffs
Grid issues including energy resale and microgrids
Energy competition and power draw-downs
International energy trade and renewables

Unit 5 - Investors in Renewable Energy

The renewable research world
Leading companies developing renewables
Competition in renewable development
Renewable energy company management
Involvement of major energy companies in renewable energy
Private equity and other independent investment in renewables
Socially responsible investment (SRI) and renewable energy
Valuation of renewable energy companies

Unit 6 - Financial Structure of Renewable Energy Projects

Corporate vs.project finance
Assessing performance (NPV, IRR, cost of capital, and measures of sustainability)
Equity and debt integration
Cashflow waterfalls
The lender's perspective on a renewable model
Integrating model results with valuation, policy, regulation and the market
Handling risk management in the financial model
Auditing a renewable energy model - telling good from bad

Unit 7 - Ownership/Legal Structures of Renewable Energy projects

Government, private and other ownership analysis
Considerations in selecting a structure
Corporate finance structures
Project finance structures for renewable energy
Special purpose vehicle (“SPV”)
General and limited partnerships
Trust structures and the role of trustees
Joint ventures (“JVs”)

Unit 8 - Contracts for Renewable Energy Construction, Finance and Operation

Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
Public tender information and requirements
Expressions of Interest
Power Purchasing/offtake Agreements (PPAs) for renewables
Comparing and contrasting international PPP contracts with application to renewables
Licenses and land agreements
Construction cost agreements (EPC contracts)
Operating and Maintenance (O&M) agreements
Term Sheets
Shareholder Agreements