Smart Energy Academy An Online Learning Management System for the Electrical Construction Industry David Riley, Penn State Parhum Delgoshaei, Penn State
Background Steady stream of new technologies are affecting EC business opportunities ELECTRI currently disseminates research results in reports and presentations GridSTAR Center and DOE projects have launched new courses in critical topics like combined heat and power, micro grids, energy storage, and solar energy. Electrical Training Alliance has launched new online Learning Management System (LMS) to support blended learning
Key questions What style of online course is best suited to disseminate ELECTRI products? What process, investments, and business models are best for creating new courses? New ELECTRI projects Past projects Key topics (e.g. ECAP) Courses authored by third parties (e.g. Modern Grid Solutions) How can the SMA be coordinated with NECA Education and Electrical Training Alliance blended learning?
Project Objectives Objective 1: Task Force Formation Objective 2: Create online learning management system and template for course creation Objective 3: Launch demonstration courses and obtain feedback Objective 4: Evaluate results and make recommendations for long term sustainability
Deliverables Co-branded online Learning Management System (LMS) adapted from existing Electrical Training Alliance and GridSTAR systems in Moodle TM platform. Three demonstration courses implemented in partnership with GridSTAR center. Template to support creation of high quality online courses from ELECTRI International projects. Recommendations for future long term sustainability of strategic partnerships between ELECTI International, NECA, Electrical Training Alliance, and the Penn State GridSTAR Center.
Progress Contract - awarded March 2015 Developed coordination plan with NECA Education and Electrical Training Alliance Utilize ETA s LMS and online payment Focus on SMA course design and testing using GridSTAR LMS Designed template to guide development of new courses from ELECTRI projects Designed Learning Management System Theme for Smart Energy Academy Demonstration course development Electrical Construction Business Development (50% complete) Introduction to Micro Grids (50% complete) E-CAP Guide for Electrical Contractors (25% complete)
ELECTRI Course Theme
Learning Design Template Introductory Video (also used to promote course) Anticipatory questions preview key concepts Pre-confidence questions Content Video 1 Learning Check Questions Video 2, 3, Learning Check Questions Post-confidence questions Feedback
Example Course 1: Business Development for Electrical Contractors Learning Objectives: Course participants will be able to: Able to explain the role of business development in growing and maintain healthy businesses Understand the difference between business development, marketing, and sales Describe types of business development processes used by peer electrical contractors Understand the role of NECA, the IBEW, and LMCC s in business development
Example Course 2: Microgrid Basics Learning Objectives: Course participants will be able to: 1. Define a micro grid and list its key features A Microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. A microgrid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or island-mode. 2. Identify key drivers for micro grids at multiple scales Improve grid reliability, resiliency, and quality, reduce need for scheduled upgrades, reduce energy costs, integrate renewables, reduce carbon emissions, increase customer participation, security, local economy development and jobs. 3. List microgrid enabling technologies distributed generation, advanced energy storage, automated demand response, micro grid control systems, EV charging technologies, Islanding in bidirectional smart inverters
Example Course 3: Energy Conservation and Performance Platform (E-CAP) Learning Objectives: Course participants will be able to: 1. Understand purpose of ECAP and why it was created 2. Describe the types of applications ECAP can be used by Electrical Contractors 3. Provide examples of how ECAP has been used successfully by Electrical Contractors 4. Demonstrate understanding of the existing resources and support tools that exist to help EC s use ECAP
Anticipated Results (Completed Dec. 2015) Design of course format and approach for target audiences Template to enable new ELECTRI projects to be efficiency and consistently translated into short courses to expand dissemination Integration strategy for ELECTRI Smart Energy Academy with NECA Education and Electrical Training Alliance Recommendations and business models for creation of courses and long term sustainability of the Smart Energy Academy