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Clean Energy Grid Engineering: Scandinavia

Come with us to learn about the current trends in renewable energy and grid technology!
This program will introduce you to electric power transmission and distribution grid technologies dedicated to reliably, efficiently, economically, and safely managing electric power across utility networks in the U.S. and internationally.  The course will cover the application of various grid technologies from power generation through power consumption including transmission networks, grid automation, power electronics systems, communications and control, protection, grid operations, grid connectivity, renewable energy resource integration, cyber security, micorgrids, DC technologies, and other emerging areas, as well as a brief introduction to power utility markets, business processes, and policy/regulation. 
Why go to Scandinavia?  Scandinavian countries such as Denmark and Sweden have paved the pathway toward making renewable energy sources a large part of their energy usage. Sweden managed to reach its goal of a 50 percent renewable energy share and Denmark reported that 42.1 percent of the country's energy needs in 2015 were met by wind power according to the state-owned energy company

What You'll Accomplish

Through a combination of classroom lectures and site visits, you will gain an understanding of:

  • A broad spectrum of power grid technologies and how they are applied in the electrical energy industry
  • Transmission and distribution systems at the electric utility level and how it relates to clean energy integration
  • Historic and current energy policies

Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital and sits on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager, linked to Malmo in southern Sweden.  Copenhagen's economy has seen rapid developments in the service sector, especially through initiatives in information technology, pharmaceuticals and clean technology.
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. The city is spread across 14 islands on the southeast coast of Sweden. The city is home to some of Europe's top ranking universities, such as the Stockholm School of Economics, Karolinska Institute and Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). Stockholm is one of the world's cleanest cities due to its commitment to renewable, clean energy. The last decade has seen a significant number of jobs created in high technology companies.
The group will travel to Vasteras, Sweden, the home of ABB, the leading supplier of products and systems for power transmission as well as for process and industrial automation. The group will also travel to Vastervik, Sweden to visit a power link under the water. 

Where You'll Live

You will be staying in hotels. You can expect: 

  • Double or triple rooms with a shared bathroom
  • Air conditioning
  • Sheets, blankets, towels, and washcloths
  • Breakfast included each day 
  • Wifi
What You'll Study

This course begins in Pittsburgh in early May. We will have two days of site visits in Pittsburgh and then we will travel to Denmark and Sweden.
This course can fulfill a Power Concentration elective for EE students. 
Please see how this course can count for requirements for your engineering major: 
Bioengineering: Advanced Engineering/ Science/Technical Elective
Chemical engineering: Professional Elective
Civil/Environmental engineering: ENGR Elective for CE Majors and Environmental Program Elective for ENVE Majors
Electrical and Computer engineering: Technical/Open
Industrial Engineering: Non-IE Technical elective
Mechanical Engineering: ME Technical Elective
Materials Science: Please contact Dr. Nettleship to confirm how the course counts
Engineering Science: Please contact Dr. Smolinski to confirm how the course counts
 
 

Clean Energy Grid Engineering: Scandinavia (ENGR1281)

The course will cover the application of various grid technologies from power generation through power consumption including transmission networks, grid automation, power electronics systems, communications and control, protection, grid operations, grid connectivity, renewable energy resource integration, cyber security, micorgrids, DC technologies, and other emerging areas, as well as a brief introduction to power utility markets, business processes, and policy/regulation. Through classroom discussion and an assortment of group exercises, you learn to frame contemporary energy production and utilization issues in societal and global contexts, and demonstrate mastery of the issues through written and oral communication.
Engineering students can review how the course counts for requirements by contacting the faculty director of their department. 

Syllabus:
File Download Power-Scandinavia - Summer 2018 -12-11 updated (5).docx (86.16 KB)

This is coordinated by our program provider, CIS Abroad. They handle the logistics and company visit coordination for the program. 

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts

Dr. Diane Hardy Saran

Buna! That’s hello in Romanian.  After returning from being a Peace Corp volunteer in Transylvania- I decided to work in the field of international education helping international students.  Life took me back to Buffalo, NY (where I grew up- land of chicken wings)- and I worked for SUNY Buffalo for many years assisting international students and scholars.  In 2010, I moved to the ‘Burgh- and am now assisting engineering students to study abroad.  For fun I enjoy my two kiddos, yoga and fitness, international films, and travel (of course). Come talk with me about studying abroad!  dmhardy@pitt.edu |  412-624-9823 | 152 Benedum Hall -https://www.instagram.com/ssoeinternational/   |    www.facebook.com/SSOEIntProg  

 

Dr. Robert Kerestes

Dr. Kerestes will be leading the Clean Energy program for Summer 2020! Robert Kerestes received his Ph.D. from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh in 2014. Prior to that he also received his M.S. (2012), and his B.S. (2010) all with a concentration in electric power systems at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to his education, Robert served in the United States Navy as an interior communications electrician onboard the USS Constellation from 1998-2002 and then as a construction electrician in the Seabees Navy Construction Battalion from 2002-2006. Following his education, Robert worked at Emerson Automation Solutions (formerly known as Emerson Process Management) where he led the development and implementation of mathematical models for electric power applications related to embedded simulation. In 2016, Robert joined the University of Pittsburgh’s ECE Department where he focuses on the advancement of pedagogy and assessment in the field of electrical engineering, particularly in the areas of electric power distribution systems, distributed energy resources, and electromagnetism. Robert’s research interests are in the development of the next generation of electric power distribution systems and the integration of renewable energy resources into the distribution sector. Robert took on the role of Director of the Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Program in the Spring of 2017 and currently serves in that role.

John Kieffer

John served as the Program Assistant in 2019 and will again join the program!  He is a PhD student in Electrical Engineering. John Kieffer is a graduate student researcher working with Dr. Greg Reed. His primary research interests are in the optimal control and operation of modern electric power grids. Prior to the University of Pittsburgh, John received his Bachelor's degree at Centre College and then worked as a solar system designer for residential and commercial installations.

Dr. Greg Reed

Dr. Reed assisted in creating this program for students and led the program for a number of years.  He is currently at the National Science Foundation, serving as Director of the Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Program.  He was the Director of the Electric Power Systems Laboratory in the Swanson School of Engineering at Pitt; and Professor of Electric Power Engineering in the Swanson School’s Electrical & Computer Engineering Department.
He as also the Director of the Grid Technologies Collaborative for the U.S. Department of Energy; and an inaugural member of the National Academies of Science and Engineering’s Energy Ambassador Program. In addition to these roles, he is the owner and principal consultant of Power Grid Technology Consulting, LLC, and serves as Chief Science Advisor on the Board of Directors for the E-Merge DC Alliance.
His research interests, teaching activities, and related pursuits include advanced electric power grid and energy generation, transmission, and distribution system technologies; power electronics and control technologies (FACTS, HVDC, and MVDC systems); micro-grids and DC infrastructure development, renewable energy systems and integration; smart grid technologies and applications; and energy storage.

Items Billed by Pitt
  In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $2580 $2780
Program Fee $2220 $2220
Study Abroad Fee $300 $300
Total Billed by Pitt $5100 $5300

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs
Airfare $1200
Meals $300
Visa costs if applicable- If you are not a U.S. Citizen there might be costs associated with applying for a visa TBD

Total Estimated Program Cost
  In-State Out-of-State

Total Estimated Cost of Program
(Includes items billed by Pitt and additional expenses)

 TBD TBD
 

 

What's Included

As a part of the fee, the following are included in the program:

  • Tuition for three Pitt academic credits
  • All accommodations
  • Daily breakfast, and some additional group meals
  • Local transportation in country
  • All site visits with all entrance fees included
  • On-site orientation
  • Mandatory health and accident insurance 

Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad.  Visit our budgeting page for more information.
Questions about Funding study abroad?  Check out the study abroad’s funding search page and note that SSoE has funding specifically for Pitt engineering students.
 

When You'll Go

Traveling to and from Scandinavia 
The program begins in Pittsburgh with two days of pre-departure classes (tentative dates, April 27 and April 28).  We will hold classes to prepare you for the program and tour area grid engineering centers to provide a U.S. context to compare what will be seen abroad. 
Students will purcahse their own airline tickets to depart the U.S. on Thursday, April 29 to arrive in Copenhagen on Thursday, April 30. 

While in Scandinavia - Itinerary and Independent Travel
Click here for a tenative schedule for the program.  You will see that most days will be full days of company visits or activities with independent time on weekends. If you plan to travel after the program, it's suggested that you do not travel alone and that you purcahase travel health insurance to ensure you care covered after the program. 

What Else You Need to Know

Admissions Requirements:

  • This program is for students with a background in math and science and interested in Grid Engineering
  • Good academic and behavioral standing, in your second year or higher level at the time of application

You're seeing student-submitted photos from Stockholm. There may be photos that do not necessarily represent this program or it's inclusions, but we hope you enjoy seeing what Panthers around the world are doing!