Energy management in local communities: energy resource management, energy efficiency and energy sustainability

Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to demonstrate:

Knowledge

• the regulatory, legal and organisational foundations of energy management and energy efficiency;
• the principles governing the operation of energy management systems;
• approaches to the collection, verification and analysis of energy consumption data;
• the fundamentals of energy auditing and benchmarking;
• the fundamentals of local energy planning;
• basic approaches to distributed generation and ensuring energy sustainability;
• the main sources and mechanisms for financing energy efficiency measures.

Skills

• to compile a basic register of energy-consuming facilities and consumption points;
• to analyse consumption figures and identify anomalies;
• calculate basic specific energy consumption indicators;
• compile a simplified energy profile (balance) for the hromada (community);
• identify and prioritise energy efficiency measures;
• prepare a fact sheet or feasibility study for an investment proposal;
• use spreadsheets, digital and AI tools for data analysis and visualisation;

Skills

• making evidence-based management decisions;
• inter-departmental and cross-sectoral collaboration;
• change management;
• communicating technical and investment decisions;
• preparing and presenting the concept of a community energy passport

Interactive lectures and themed presentations, workshops, working with spreadsheets and data, analysis of legislation, the case study method, group discussions, calculation exercises, management decision-making simulations, working with digital and AI tools, mentoring support, independent study, and the preparation and defence of a practical assignment.

Practical assignments are carried out using real or simulated data from a public authority, institution or local community.

Resources for distance learning

• Google Classroom — learning materials, assignments, tests, independent study.
• Zoom — synchronous online sessions.

Title of the distance learning course: ‘Community Energy Management: Data, Planning, Energy Efficiency and Energy Sustainability’.

Assessment is carried out on a 100-point scale.

• Attendance and active participation in sessions — 10 per cent;
• Completion of practical assignments within the modules — 25 per cent;
• Preparation of the final practical assignment — 35 per cent;
• Presentation and defence of the final assignment — 30 per cent.

Criteria for successful completion

• attendance at no less than 75 per cent of classes;
• completion of compulsory practical tasks;
• preparation and defence of the final practical assignment;
• 70–100 marks — pass; 0–69 marks — fail.

Assessment takes into account regular attendance and active participation; the accuracy and soundness of data analysis; the practical feasibility and realism of the proposed measures; the logical structure of the final project; and the ability to justify management decisions during the defence.