GN-SEC launches digital training program on sustainable energy solutions for islands

The online capacity building program was developed under the umbrella of the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC) by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Small Island Sustainable Energy and Climate Resilience Organisation (SIDS DOCK) and the Spanish Centre for Research in Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT).

The development of inclusive sustainable energy technology markets in Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) requires a critical mass of professionals in the private and public sectors. However, in many SIDS there is a lack of training institutions and quality programs, which respond to the particular needs and priorities of islands and are affordable.

The online program is available free of charge and is disseminated by the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE) and the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE). Currently, it is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

There are two ways of participating:

• You can participate as a student undertaking the courses by self-learning or by joining a conducted training. Students will receive a course certificate.
• You can become trainer and train others. We would encourage national/regional training institutions to include the program into their curricula.

The program includes nine online modules, which describe and analyse the following technologies and energy issues: Solar Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal and Ocean Energy technologies, Bioenergy, Energy Efficiency and Thermal Optimization in buildings, Mini-grids and Energy Storage in Insular Power Systems, E-mobility and an overview on Energy, Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience in island regions. Learning takes place in an e-learning platform and delivery can be done either in self-study or through trainers.

The program has been developed by fulfilling CIEMAT’s quality criteria in terms of scientific and technical expertise, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools, methodological and pedagogical resources. The large-scale dissemination of the program is planned for 2020. The development of the program was co-funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID), the Norwegian Government and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

A big THANK YOU to the various SIDS energy experts in the Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Africa, which have contributed to the quality assurance of the program. The program will be improved based on received feedback.

Further information is available at: https://training.gn-sec.net