Course Overview
This course will explore the details of renewable energy technologies that have the most potential for use in British Columbia, including: wind farms and turbines (with a focus on Type 3 and 4 turbines); micro-hydro and tidal power devices and systems; photovoltaic devices, solar farms and solar-storage hydro systems; and, biomass generation. For each of these technologies, students will be exposed to detailed design, modeling, operation and control aspects associated with that technology. The theory in the course will be supported by case studies sourced from industry, as well as a laboratory component which allows for hands-on exposure to these technologies will be included in the course. The course will also include a ‘selected topics’ module which will be updated frequently as advancements are made in the area of renewable energy. In addition to the details of the individual technologies, issues and mitigation of issues involved with the integration into the electric utility grid will also be covered. In doing so, students will gain familiarity with the technical, economic and social issues surrounding the integration of renewable resources. These topics will enable students to propose a renewable energy system design suitable for interconnection to the electric utility grid. To contribute to their portfolio of work in SGST, this course will involve an individual project requiring students to select appropriate renewable energy technology and design a renewable energy system suitable for interconnection to the smart microgrid being designed as students progress through the program. Students will develop a report which demonstrates and documents the results of their project.
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Domestic fees
$2,621.02
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the motivation for the integration of distributed, renewable energy resources and the policies which govern their installation
- Select from different renewable energy technologies for different applications, such as the implementation in a smart microgrid
- Devise solutions which mitigate the technical, economic and social issues associated with wide-adoption of renewable energy technologies
- Select renewable energy technologies which will meet various goals set out by the utility and governing bodies, as well as the detailed requirements for each installation
- Analyze and quantify the impact of the integration of distributed renewable energy resources on power systems at the distribution and transmission level
- Formulate detailed models which capture the dynamic behaviour of various renewable energy technologies for use in power system interconnection studies
- Apply information from appropriate standards in the design and interconnection of a renewable energy system to the electric utility or microgrid
- Design a renewable energy system suitable for interconnection to a smart microgrid which utilizes wind, solar, micro-hydro, bio-mass or other energy sources
Effective as of Fall 2021
Related Programs
Renewable & Distributed Energy Systems (SGST 9320) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Energy
- Smart Grid Systems and Technologies
Master of Engineering Full-time/Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of SGST 9320 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 48870
Dates
Sep 09 - Dec 09 Loading
- CRN 48870
- $2621.02 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
15 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- No classes on September 30th (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) and November 11th (Remembrance Day) Registration in individual courses will be open to qualified candidates for professional development. Registration approval is automatically granted upon acceptance into the program.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.