Vak: Specialisation Sustainable Energy and the Digital Transformation (Kortrijk) credits: 30

The specialisation ‘Sustainable energy & the digital transformation’ can be followed in Kortrijk – Belgium. Howest – University of Applied Science is located in ‘Kortrijk Weide’. This part of Kortrijk is an energy hub where research and education work closely together. On Kortrijk Weide there is a heat grid, lots of renewable energy sources, and different research projects are integrating smart controls to control multiple buildings in real time to optimise energy flows. Next, Howest is investing in energy storage systems to create a fully operational smart grid at this energy campus.

Energy consumption of a process or building is measured and published. This data is based on an audit or on a continuously follow up of the processes. Following research questions arise: What type of meter do we have to install and how do we get data in a secured format on the internet? Can we use a smart gird to maximize the use of renewable energy? Can we sell our energy to other companies and how does the energy market work?

The specialisation semester ‘Sustainable Energy and the Digital Transformation’ gives you the answers! We focus on energy audits, energy measurements and internet of things. Renewable energy production (electrical and thermal) gives us the opportunity to reduce the energy we buy from the grid. Smart devices and equipment combined with an energy traffic controller maximize the self-consumption of the generated energy. The data of the sensors and equipment must be secured and new devices use Artificial Intelligence to maximise the energy savings.

Overproduction can be stored in storage systems to be used when we have less production, or we sell the energy to others.

Teaching will be based on lectures (including guest lectures given by specialists from industry), laboratory exercises and projects, supervised working independently and field visits given through all the subjects. In order to reinforce the effective learning, active teaching and self-directed learning methodologies are selected.
Sustainable Energy and the Digital Transformation