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DelftX: Solar Energy: Integration of Photovoltaic Systems in Microgrids

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Learn how to integrate a photovoltaic system into a microgrid of your design.

Solar Energy: Integration of Photovoltaic Systems in Microgrids
9 weeks
10–11 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
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Solar Energy: Integration of Photovoltaic Systems in Microgrids

About this course

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Photovoltaic systems are often placed into a microgrid, a local electricity distribution system that is operated in a controlled way and includes both electricity users and renewable electricity generation. This course deals with DC and AC microgrids and covers a wide range of topics, from basic definitions, through modelling and control of AC and DC microgrids to the application of adaptive protection in microgrids. You will master various concepts related to microgrid technology and implementation, such as smart grid and virtual power plant, types of distribution network, markets, control strategies and components. Among the components special attention is given to operation and control of power electronics interfaces.

You will be familiarized with the advantages and challenges of DC microgrids (which are still in an early stage). As a verified learner you will also have the opportunity to master the topic of microgrids through an exercise in which you will evaluate selected pilot sites where microgrids were deployed. The evaluation will take the form of a simulation assignment and include a peer review of the results.

This course is part of the Solar Energy Engineering MicroMasters program designed to cover all physics and engineering aspects of photovoltaics: photovoltaic energy conversion, technologies and systems.

Earn a Microcredential

After finishing this course, and passing the related exam, you are eligible to receive one microcredential. A microcredential is a digital certificate that allows learners to demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired after successfully completing a small unit of education. It describes the learning outcomes, educational level and scope of the course or program – and adds a quality mark, as it is bound to a recognized quality framework. For more information, please read the FAQ below.

At a glance

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated programs:
  • Associated skills:Electronics, Electricity, Distributed Generation, Electric Power Distribution, Photovoltaic Systems, Physics, Public Key Certificates, Energy Conversion

What you'll learn

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  • Difference between a microgrid, a passive distribution grid and a virtual power plant
  • Ancillary services provided by microgrids and PV
  • Operation of centralized and decentralized control, forecasting, and evaluation of different market policies through a case study
  • Operation of active power control and voltage regulation
  • Different layouts and topologies of microgrids and power electronic components, and the role of power electronics converters in microgrids
  • Microgrid protection, adaptive protection, and the consequences of using a fault current source and fault current limitation
  • Main motivations and challenges for the implementation of DC microgrids

Verified learners will have the added benefit of evaluating different strategies to control multiple inverters and to analyze local control to improve stability.

Learner testimonials

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"TU Delft 's Solar Energy Engineering MicroMasters program is great to get a grasp of the overall science of solar energy. It provides context to the current industry trends, and at the same time gives you the tools you need to know where the industry will be in the next decade." --Bertram, The Netherlands

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: What is a Microcredential
A Microcredential (hereafter: "MC") is a digital certificate that allows learners to demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired after successfully completing a small unit of education. It describes the learning outcomes, educational level and scope of the course or program – and adds a quality mark, as it is bound to a recognized quality framework.

You will receive your MC as a digital certificate (called "Edubadge"), offered by the Dutch institution SURF. The certificates are publicly available (via an URL), can be easily shared, and can be instantly verified by other educational institutions or employers.

MCs are only used for courses or programs that comply with the Dutch national quality framework for microcredentials. MCs were recently launched in The Netherlands, with the aim to be recognized as accreditation-worthy education, specifically for continuing education programs. MCs do not have an expiration date and are managed online by the learners themselves (through the Edubadge platform of Surf).

Even if you do not live in The Netherlands, you will benefit from this MC since it will give an additional quality mark to the certificates issued by edx.org.

Note that the MCs do not replace the certificates issued by edX, and can be obtained in addition. Moreover, there is no MC for the full Micromasters program, only per course (for the full program you will still receive the certificate issued by edX.)

Q: How to obtain the MC?
A learner qualifies for a MC per course after successfully completing a course and the exam associated with this course (for example, after completing PV1 course and PV1 exam you are eligible for one MC).

To obtain your Microcredential you will need to create an EduID and connect to the Edubadges platform. After that you can access your “Edubadges backpack” in which you can store and manage your Microcredentials. For more information please visit this page: https://wiki.surfnet.nl/display/Edubadges/Aanmaken+backpack#English

More information about obtaining the MCs will be given during the course.

Q: What do MC mean for my personal data?
Please note TU Delft uses personal data in issuing Microcredentials. Learners need to create a “backpack” on Edubadges.nl which is managed by SURF to be able to claim and manage their Microcredentials. To learn more about how TU Delft uses your personal data in relation to Microcredentials read the privacy statement that can be found in the course platform.

More about this course

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LICENSE

The course materials of this course are Copyright Delft University of Technology and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC-BY-NC-SA) 4.0 International License.

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

This course is part of Solar Energy Engineering MicroMasters Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
8 graduate-level courses
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
1 year 1 month
9 - 10 hours per week

Ways to take this course

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Certificate

Free

Price

$250 USD

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Access to course materials

Unlimited

Limited

Expires on Jan 28, 2025

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Shareable certificate upon completion

Graded assignments and exams

Read our FAQsin a new tab about frequently asked questions on these tracks.

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