Engineering Smart Electricity Grids Course
Engineering Smart Electricity Grids
Design, AI, Optimisation & Cybersecurity
This intensive two-day course led by experts at the University of Oxford, explores the engineering of modern smart electricity grids for the energy transition. Combining cutting-edge research with practical engineering tools, participants will develop the knowledge and skills to design, analyse and optimise future electricity networks, drawing on the latest advances in AI, distributed energy systems and cybersecurity.
Dates
18th & 19th March 2027
Networking dinner on 18th March
Price
£1,500 Standard Rate
£1,350 Early Bird Rate – Available until 30th November 2026
Group discounts are available: for enquiries please contact us at [email protected].
What’s Included
All teaching and course materials, a networking dinner at a prestigious venue in central Oxford and a course completion certificate.
Accommodation is not included.
Location
In-person at the ZERO Institute – University of Oxford, Holywell House, Osney, Oxford, OX2 0ES.
Dinner on 18th March will be at a University of Oxford college.
Course Description
The transition to net zero electricity systems is accelerating, but the grids that underpin them are struggling to keep pace. Across the Global North, the rapid growth of distributed renewable generation, electric vehicles and heat pumps is reshaping how energy systems operate, exposing the limits of ageing infrastructure and traditional grid design. Whilst in emerging economies, electrification access may be solved instead by establishing new solutions such as microgrids.
Participants will gain practical, actionable insights into grid design, network constraints, the integration of distributed generation and managing increasing electricity demand. The course also examines emerging solutions, including digitalisation, microgrids, optimisation techniques and cyber security in modern energy systems.
The course, designed for engineers and professionals working across the energy sector, combines expert-led teaching with practical exercises, including Python-based tools and AI-assisted approaches. Over two days, participants will gain practical knowledge and skills that can be applied immediately to the planning, analysis and operation of existing and future electricity grids.
Course Structure
Day 1 – Grid Design for the Global North and Emerging Economies
- Overview on power flow analysis and Python modelling
- Grid Design for Net Zero: National Grids and Microgrids
- Adapting National Power Grids using tools such as PandaPower and PyPSA
Day 2 – Smart Grids: Optimisation and Cybersecurity
- Cutting Edge Energy Forecasting using Deep Learning
- AI-Assisted Control of Distributed Energy Assets
- Security Implications of Smart Energy Devices
Course Leaders
David Wallom is a Professor in Informatics, Course Director of the MSc in Energy Systems and Associate Director of Innovation at the Oxford e-Research Centre, where he leads two separate research groups, Energy and Environmental ICT, and Advanced e-infrastructure & Cloud Computing.
He has led over 55 research projects in areas such as Cloud utilisation, Cybersecurity, Smart Energy Grids, Research Data Management, Green IT, ICT Security and Institutional Repositories. He is a member of the GCHQ recognized Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security and the UK Space Agency Ground segment Advisory Group.
Dr Scot Wheeler is a Senior Researcher and Departmental Lecturer in Energy Systems within the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on smart, flexible energy systems, investigating how digitalisation, data-driven methods and artificial intelligence can accelerate the transition to secure, low-carbon energy systems.
Alongside research, Scot teaches modules on Energy Infrastructure and Python for Energy System Analysis for the Energy Systems MSc course and is a Stipendiary Lecturer at Christ Church.
Who Should Attend?
This course is designed for engineers and technical professionals working in, or alongside, the energy sector who want to develop their understanding of future electricity grids.
It will be particularly relevant to:
- Electrical, power systems and energy engineers
- Grid planning, network and renewable energy professionals
- Engineers and technical specialists working for utilities, consultancies and energy technology companies
- Professionals working with smart grids, flexibility, energy storage or distributed energy resources
- Data, digital and cybersecurity professionals working in the energy sector
- Technical and project managers responsible for energy infrastructure and net zero projects
Learning Outcomes
Participants will gain practical knowledge and skills in:
- Smart grid design and optimisation
- Renewable energy and distributed generation integration
- Power flow modelling in Python
- AI and machine learning for energy forecasting
- Smart control of distributed energy resources
- Cybersecurity for critical energy infrastructure
The course also provides an opportunity to learn from University of Oxford experts and exchange perspectives with professionals working across the energy sector.
More from ZERO Institute
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