Biomas and Bioenergy This course prepares a student to develop appropriate biomass energy conversion systems for off-grid end users. Using a case study approach, the student will assess biomass energy resource potential in a given community and develop a functional design of an appropriate technology for end use application including, energy saving stoves, gasifiers, and biogas systems.
Sustainable Energy Management This course supports the student to design and manage sustainable energy systems taking into consideration the social, economic, environmental and technological constraints. Using a case study approach, the student will participate in energy audit and environmental impact assessment of renewable energy establishments and propose how to improve their performances. The student will apply tools such as life cycle analysis and eco-design, and multi-criteria analysis techniques to improve performance of community energy systems.
Research Methods Research methods prepare a student to design and conduct a research study and communicate the findings effectively. The course will employ a practical approach involving group participation in identification of researchable problems and developing it into a research proposal. A student will be able to collect data, analyse using appropriate software, present findings, interpret and draw valid conclusions. The student will practice using the results in writing a scholarly paper and communicate findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Small Hydropower Technologies This course prepares the student to design small hydropower systems capable of meeting a rural community’s energy needs. The student will assess the hydropower potential of water resources available in a given rural community to inform the selection of the most suitable water resource. The student will design selected turbo-machines, hydraulic structures, as well as analyse the performance of hydropower systems and hydraulic structures.
Wind Energy Systems Through this course, the student learns to analyse wind energy potential using relevant resource data, and use this analysis to develop a basic functional design (incl. wind turbine size and height) for a wind power project, optimised to ensure maximum efficiency of the wind turbines. The student will also be able to develop a cost and revenue model of a wind power project, and perform an elementary environmental impact assessment for a given project site.
Mini-grid Network Systems The course prepares the student to design mini-grid systems capable of supplying a rural community’s energy end-user needs. The student will conduct a detailed analysis of the available energy resources and energy demand profile. The student will then size the generator sub-system, storage and converters components. The student will also conduct a detailed analysis of the appropriate technologies to employ for distribution and metering to consumers. The student will then develop a functional design of their chosen solution.
Solar Energy Systems This course equips the student with the knowledge and skills in the design and application of solar energy technology. Using a blended learning, the student will be grounded on fundamentals of solar energy systems, design and installation of solar panels for residential and off-grid applications, as well as cost analysis of the overall system. The student will apply a system engineering approach in solar energy utilisation to meet heating/or cooling needs. The student will develop a functional design and develop a management plan for the off-grid solar energy systems.
Project Planning and Management This course equips the student with skills to get projects done on time and within budget. Using a case study approach, the student will develop viable project plans in small groups and practice project scheduling, budgeting and planning tasks that will take his/or her projects successfully from conception to completion. The student will include all necessary components such as a project description, specification of target group, possible financiers, time plan, and budget.
Energy Policy and Governance This course prepares a student to apply the strategic role that global, regional, and national policies play in the promotion of clean energy access. It will provide the student with a strong basis for planning, implementation, and evaluation of energy policy issues. Through a series of case studies, the student will review different policy examples, and analyse the policy objectives. The student will propose policy options and implementation strategies and outcomes to promote clean energy access taking into consideration the perspectives of various stakeholders.
Human Resource Management This course equips the student with knowledge and skills of employee management for developing a well-motivated workforce to improve labour productivity and performance of an energy access enterprise. The student will identify best practices in small enterprise development from available literature and industry experts, and propose innovative solutions to human resource challenges in the energy access sector. The student will share findings to his/her peers in class through a series of seminars.
Work Placement This course enables the student to acquire practical skills, improve professional network, strengthen relevance of the dissertation, and develop professional and ethical conduct. During work placement, the student will contribute to the development of the clean energy access sector, by developing innovative solutions to challenges facing the clean energy access enterprises, thus promoting knowledge and skills transfer between the community and university. The student will be attached to energy access enterprises for a minimum of ten weeks. The student will identify a community energy access challenge and design a solution to it. The student will be required to develop a research problem statement during this period and develop it into a proposal for the dissertation.
Scholarly Writing and Presentation Skills This course equips the student with skills needed for scientific communication. The student will be guided on how to analyse, interpret, and organize scientific or technical information into formats that can effectively inform others through subject matter reviews, public presentation, journal publications, technical reports, policy briefs, consultancy/or generate debate. The course will also develop a student’s capacity to creatively prepare and effectively deliver presentations or academic talk to an academic audience.
Community Energy Access Mechanisms This course prepares a student to establish the energy needs of a given off-grid community, analyse barriers that hinder energy access, as well as to establish mechanisms that accelerate energy access in a given off-grid community. The student will be equipped with knowledge and skills to develop market-led and government-led financing models for renewable energy service providers in a given off-grid community. The student will also determine the relevant stakeholders and analyse their roles and responsibilities in accelerating energy access in Uganda. The skills acquired from the course will also enable the student to design and apply appropriate assessment tools for studying inclusive renewable energy access and usage patterns.
Business Development and Marketing This coursehelps the student promote energy access products and services to the off-grid community. The student will be guided to develop an energy access business plan, develop new products and services, as well as a high impact marketing strategy.
Research and Dissertation This course equips the student with competencies to conduct independent scientific research, generate and disseminate new knowledge to the clean energy access sector. A student will identify a researchable problem, develop a proposal and defend it before the relevant university committees. The student will then conduct the research under supervision of faculty staff. The student will present the research report informing of a dissertation following an approved format. The dissertation will be subjected to internal and external examinations by experts in the student's field of research.
Biomas and Bioenergy
This course prepares a student to develop appropriate biomass energy conversion systems for off-grid end users. Using a case study approach, the student will assess biomass energy resource potential in a given community and develop a functional design of an appropriate technology for end use application including, energy saving stoves, gasifiers, and biogas systems.