Energy Resilience, Smart Communities

Course Offered On Demand

Open Registration

10 hours of recordings and webinars with the instructor and guest
experts.
Take three months to complete the self-paced online course
Receive a GWU Environmental and Energy Management Institute
Certificate
More Information and Register Here
Cost $550
Course counts toward the EEMI Clean Energy Resilience Certificate

Meet the Instructor:

Scott Sklar is an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University. He teaches interdisciplinary courses on sustainable energy and is affiliated with CATIE, focusing on sustainability in Latin America. He pioneered the U.S.'s first course on "Renewable Energy & Critical Infrastructure" at GWU, where he also directs sustainable energy initiatives. As President of The Stella Group, Ltd., Sklar's 23-year-old global business guides clean distributed energy solutions, leveraging technologies like advanced batteries, biogas, and photovoltaics to promote energy efficiency and sustainability.

Course Overview:

This course delves into the critical challenges of aging infrastructure in industrialized societies and emphasizes the transformative potential of distributed and smart energy solutions for resilient communities. It examines the vulnerabilities of our infrastructure to modern threats, including climate change, cyber-attacks, and natural disasters, and showcases cutting-edge technological responses. These include advancements in materials science, sensors & controls, AI, and blockchain. Students will explore the role of distributed energy systems and smart communities in mitigating infrastructure weaknesses alongside sustainable financing models and policy frameworks, as well as the implications for societal development and environmental stewardship.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand the vulnerability of current energy systems and the importance of transitioning to distributed energy models.
Gain knowledge of various distributed energy technologies and "pay as you go" financing models shaping the future of energy.
Learn about regulatory frameworks like the Clean Air Act and their role in guiding emissions control and greenhouse gas mitigation.
Explore the implications of energy technology choices on land use, economic development, and workforce trends.
Network with key industry, finance, government, and non-profit stakeholders driving technological innovation and development in course webinars

Course Structure:

The course focuses on the interplay between aging infrastructure, climate change, and disruptive technologies. It brings insights from business, finance, and policy leaders alongside practitioners in each field. Students will engage with new technological and financial models and the role of government at various levels, preparing them for the dynamic challenges and opportunities in energy resiliency and smart community development.

Class 1: Laying out the Infrastructure Resilience Challenges & Opportunities - Four 40-minute classes

Segment 1: What is infrastructure? - Reviewing existing infrastructure in communities and cities in energy, water-sewage, telecommunications, internet, first responders, Government & non-profit providers (i.e., shelters, offices, etc.)
Segment 2: Existing risk profiles: Big Challenges Impacting Resiliency of Infrastructure Frank review of energy, water, telecom/internet transportation, and healthcare over the last 23 years

• Segment 3: Climate Change Pressures: Supercharged events and challenges

Segment 4: Freshwater and Stormwater Management: Signature issue in more than half of US cities and communities

Class 2: Snapshots: Challenges and Opportunities in End-Use Sectors

Segment 1: Building Resiliency: Zero & Net Zero Program
Segment 2: Industrial Resiliency
Segment 3: Transportation Continuity
Segment 4: Shared infrastructure: Publicly Shared Infrastructure

Electric Grid, Pipelines (water, sewage, fuels), water & sewage treatment facilities

Class 3: The Electric Grid

Segment 1: Emerging Trends - Power augmentation, virtual power plants & net metering, microgrids, sectionalizers & reclosers, & interface with motors, buildings, etc.
Segment 2: Sensors, Controls, AI-Blockchain
Segment 3: Interconnection and Inter-response – transmission, distribution systems
Segment 4: Energy Storage: Primarily smart controls and battery banks in cities and communities

Class 4: Focus Areas - Deeper Dives into Specific Technology Platforms

Financing & Policies

Segment 1: Microgrids – Community Solar – Islanding
Segment 2: Land Use, Recycling

Repurposing Re-Use, Energy Efficiency

Segment 3: Government Facilities and Services
Segment 4: Financing Resiliency - Public and Private Markets Bonds and Government-Backed Instruments - with Private capital tools

Summary and Closing Video