Continuing Education

Dr. Christian Schaffner

The module "Energy Fundamentals" provides an introduction to the fundamental science and the underlying technology used throughout the rest of the CAS.

Participants will learn how today’s energy system works, including the underlying scientific principles of energy technologies – generation, storage, distribution – and the regulatory and economic frameworks that integrate these technologies into our society. Special attention is paid to understanding renewable electricity generation and why these rapidly evolving technologies are driving change in multiple industries.

To start, there is an online review module, Energy Fundamentals, which acts as a prerequisite for the entire CAS ATE. The review module introduces the mathematical and electrical basics needed to be successful in the CAS. We advise participants to use the "Assessment Quiz" to identify their knowledge gaps and to close them prior to the course, if needed. The rest of the Energy Fundamentals module is also organised in a self-learning online module with weekly contact hours to discuss questions with teaching assistants.

Ass. Prof. Dr. Christian Prehal & Prof. Dr. Vanessa Wood

This course module "Energy Storage" takes a deeper look at the most important technologies for electrical energy storage in industry, with an emphasis on batteries. Participants are introduced to the energy storage technologies in use in industry as well as technology- and market-driven opportunities for change and new applications. The design, manufacture, operation, and usage scenarios of lithium-ion batteries are explained in detail. Future improvements in battery energy storage is explored in terms of both likely progress and critical barriers.

Prof. Dr. Christian Franck & Prof. Dr. Gabriela Hug

For decades, electric power grid systems have remained essentially unchanged. Now, they are undergoing significant changes driven by the energy transition. This course module helps participants understand the fundamental setup and workings of the electric power grid.

Participants learn in the module "Electric Power Grid Systems" about the technical operation and management of traditional power grid systems, including the fundamental equipment and mechanisms responsible for transforming and transporting electricity to end users and the concept of AC power. We will discuss typical grid design and management and the underlying physical principles that drive design and management decisions. Then, we will turn to future grids and the opportunities and challenges that arise from distributed generation, microgrids, demand response, and virtual power plants. We will explore future grids both from the operator’s and end-user’s perspectives.

Dr. Christian Schaffner

The focus of this course module "Electrification and Practical Applications" is on understanding the practical implications of the energy transition taking place in industry, including electrification technology and its practical application in multiple industries.

This course takes a case study approach to look at how electrification is currently impacting products and technology use in manufacturing, electronics, automotive, building construction, and facility management. The course participants work on actual cases provided by industry partners. We discuss real-time issues in policy and regulation, as well as the technical and practical challenges of implementation. Participants interact with master’s students from ETH Zurich working in the domain and engage with industry experts.