Smart Grids Education, Research and Training for at the Federal University of Itajubá, Brazil

Abstract

Smart grids play a vital role in tracing the path of long-awaited energy sustain ability. The smart grid requires professionals' skills to face difficulties in dealing with intermittent renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, automation and control, energy efficiency, socio-technical systems, environmental, political, and regulatory complex issues. In this perspective, this paper aims to explore and present the education, teaching, and training practices about smart grids through a case study at the Federal University of Itajuba (UNIFEI), Brazil. The contributions of this paper prove to be substantial and active for the educational strengthening of the theme, concerning the inclusion of topics in smart grids in the curricula in electrical engineering; educational management and planning in smart grids from a philosophical perspective; modern and active educational approaches to the teaching-learning process in smart grids; and teaching and research aspects for the development of extension actions in smart grids to the UNIFEI's external community. Finally, this paper reports on the efforts currently being made to improve the undergraduate and graduate electrical engineering curriculum at UNIFEI, emphasizing its vanguard for education in smart grids, active teaching-learning practices, and its role as a high-quality Brazilian university for engineering education.