Skills Bootcamp in Smart Energy Transition

Our energy system is evolving. Rather than a system based on fossil-fuel-based supply that must be able to meet society’s energy demands, we need to shift to an energy system where society’s energy demand matches the supply of energy from diverse renewable sources, mediated by energy storage.

In addition to renewable energy generation, we need our energy system to be ‘smart’ underpinned by artificial intelligence and machine learning. This transition requires developments and shifts in policy, technology, data science, energy literacy of energy consumers and decision makers and needs to address challenges of data security and ensuring a just and fair energy transition that ensures the most vulnerable are supported and benefit from the transition.

This module introduces the learner to the breadth of issues linked to the smart energy transition. The module will draw on the expertise and infrastructure at Keele University through our integrated Low Carbon Energy Generation park and Smart Energy Network Demonstrator and Keele’s smart energy campus ‘living lab’.

The module aims to ensure learners:

• Understand the reasons for, and concepts and components underlying, the smart energy transition;
• Develop an appreciation of the different challenges, perspectives and solutions to developing smart energy systems through a range of case studies and the experiences of Keele’s Low Carbon Energy Generation park and Smart Energy Network Demonstrator development;
• Understand the role of energy users and approaches to energy user engagement to ensure fair and just energy transition;
• Develop confidence in working with smart energy system data and furthering smart energy discussions and decision in their personal and professional lives.

You will explore place-based approaches to:

• Smart local energy systems
• Smart energy management
• Renewable energy generation
• Energy storage and smart system integration
• Related legislation and technical considerations

Study for the Smart Energy Transition CPD will include two weeks of two hours synchronous and additional asynchronous activities. In addition to this there will be two one day in-person events on campus at Keele University. These will allow you to maximise your learning by utilising the Smart Energy Network Demonstrator and the Low Carbon Generation Park infrastructure in place at Keele University. 

Skills Bootcamps are fully funded for learners by the Department for Education.

To be eligible for the funding, learners should be in employment and should live in the wider West Midlands Combined Authority Region. Please feel free to get in touch to check your eligibility.

You will have access to a wide range of student support such as academic skills support, Keele University’s Careers and Employability Service, including 24/7 digital resources and Student Services, plus access to LinkedIn Learning to continue your professional development. You will continue to have support from our careers and employability service for three years after completing the Skills Bootcamp. 

We have produced an academic skills and personal learning toolkit to support you as a work- based learner. As part of this you will undertake a skills audit at the beginning of the Skills Bootcamp so you can identify your strengths and prioritise access to resources to support your specific areas of focus. 

There is additional support from our dedicated School and Faculty Student Experience Support Officers (SESOs) with the designated mature students SESO holding a specific remit for supporting our work-based learning community and, providing a direct contact link to support. 

Keele University has excellent sustainability credentials and was awarded Global Sustainability Institution of the Year 2021, International Green Gown Awards. Sustainability is central to our research, education, campus and operations and we are committed to embedding sustainability into everything we do.

Keele’s Smart Energy Network Demonstrator, HyDeploy and Low Carbon Generation Projects have all worked with the regional industry base to address climate action on the university campus as well as pass on knowledge and learning.

The Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) launched at Keele in 2018, bringing together sustainability expertise across the university from all disciplines working closely with non-academic partners to tackle solutions to real sustainability challenges, and integrates research, education and practice activities. 

The CPD on this Skills Bootcamp is also informed by Keele University’s research and development experience drawing upon nationally-leading research such as Smart Local Energy System design through the InnovateUK funded Zero Carbon Rugeley, the gas industry-led HyDeploy hydrogen blending project, and Europe's largest Smart Energy Network Demonstrator and integrated Low Carbon Energy Generation park at Keele University, all working closely with industrial partners.

Academic expertise

The bootcamp will be delivered by academics from the School of Geology, Geography and the Environment and the School of Computing and Mathematics, as well as members of the Keele University Estates Team.