SG-Skill

SG-Skill – Skill-based education for smart-grids job profiles: the key to renewable integration, flexibility and electrification

 

Power networks are critical for the integration of renewables and the electrification of energy consumption. Through digitalisation, power networks become Smart Grids that can monitor energy flows and adjust energy supply and demand accordingly, allowing demand flexibility services, distributed Energy Resources (DER), efficient operation, relevant savings in network investments, and the participation of consumers. Europe requires large investments in Smart Grids, particularly in educating the future workforce as well as providing lifelong learning services to the current employees (re skilling and up-skilling).

 

The SG-SKILL project is focused on the training needs for Smart Grids, covering their full value chain (planning, design, supply, implementation, commissioning, operation and maintenance, commercialisation) and the adaptation of existing conventional networks in all voltage levels. Training needs will address the diversity of job profiles required by the sector and all the corresponding educational levels, from VET to high-level education and research. The project will also consider the new roles of consumers enabled by digital tools, allowing citizens and energy communities to profit from local renewable sources. The three main objectives of the project are: i) Matching demand and supply of skills in the Smart Grids sector; ii) A systematic, replicable and scalable methodology to achieve and continuously update those skills; iii) A sustainable action plan (strategy or Blueprint) to keep applying the methodology beyond the scope of the project. SG-SKILL is aligned with the Large-Scale Partnership on Digitalisation of the Energy System, launched in 2023 under the Pact for Skills, and built on the results of the Erasmus+ project EDDIE.

 

Hard Facts

 

Objectives

1. Analysis of the major trends in Smart Grids, from a technological and social point of view, are likely to impact jobs and skill needs.
2. Developments of a common methodology for assessing current skills needs, anticipating future skills needs and identifying skill gaps in the field of Smart Grids and renewables.
3. Designing and developing curricula and training programs for Vocational Education Training (VET) and Higher Education (HE).
4. Ensure the effective adaptation, implementation, and quality control of the developed HE curricula and VET programs across partner universities and training centers.
5. Develop and implement a long-term sustainability strategy to ensure the successful materialization and continuity of the Smart Grid Blueprint for training in the EU. A Smart Grids Training Marketplace will be established as a hub for training resources. 
6. Maximising the scientific, professional, industrial, and societal impact of the project through effective dissemination, communication, and exploitation of results. Ensuring high visibility of SG-SKILL activities at the European level, promotes strategic documents and outcomes, and fosters continuous engagement with education, industry, policymakers, and civil society.

 

E.DSO and DSOs

Contact: projects@edsoforsmartgrids.eu