Results of Scientific Research and Training of Specialists in Renewable Energy at the South Ural State University

Abstract

This article describes the history of establishing the educational discipline on renewable energy at the South Ural State University (national research university), including the development of dedicated laboratories and methodological support, and the features of the educational processes in undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies. The innovative teaching methods with using open on-line courses and virtual test benches are described. The project-oriented learning in the framework of master's programs opens the possibility to expand the learning boundaries and reach a high level of student research works with publishing the obtained results in high-ranked journals. The article shows the main scientific work areas, as well as the goals and objectives of establishing the international innovation center Alternative Energy and the shared research center Wind Energy. Some topics and results of research works on using renewable energy sources in heat and electricity generation processes, and ways to protect solar modules from overheating, contamination and degradation are presented. The further development of the research area involves establishing and using an educational center on the basis of the Porogi hydroelectric power station (HPS), which is among the oldest ones in Russia, that includes renewable energy facilities such as wind power plants, solar power plants, and a small hydroelectric power station. The further improvement of the educational process is seen in the development of educational programs for advanced training of elite personnel for distributed energy systems.