The ASSET project as a training tool for energy transition

Abstract

[EN] The ASSET project aims to provide a holistic and scalable solution for research, innovation and education by creating functional networks. These networks are intended to be created between energy companies, universities, training actors, energy and environmental authorities, policy makers and, more generally, citizens who are sensitive to environmental issues and the quality of energy transition processes. The ASSET project delivers the framework and the tools to create and share knowledge and competences needed to tackle the energy transition by supporting training. As a highlight of this approach to education, a strong interdisciplinary component oriented to social sciences is added in an area with an exclusive technological vocation. This transition seeks to push towards a low-carbon society in order to make the energy sector sustainable. To reach this goal, ASSET intends to strengthen the skills of sector operators, to cultivate new talents with multidisciplinary skills, and to intensify research and network industry. Therefore, the final target is to promote innovation and strengthen understanding of the importance of reducing carbon emissions.

Over the course of the project, 23 learning graph models and more than 40 educational programs are being developed, in addition to a portfolio of challenges and case studies on the subject. The actors involved will be able to search for the programs available - online and on-campus - on the ASSET website and if a search is unsuccessful, a request can be sent for the creation of content necessary for their target market.

The main tools that have been developed through the ASSET project are; the Learning Graph tool, the Marketplace tool and the EMMA platform. The Learning graph tool allows for the creation and sharing of learning structures, as well as the use of existing study materials. The Marketplace tool allows the searching through the available training offer, to request courses on demand, or to offer own training programmes. Finally, the EMMA platform offers a wide range of MOOC (Massive Online Open Courses), mainly in English and with the possibility of being translated into several languages.

Universitat Politècnica València (UPV) is participating in the project as one of the academic actors that is developing courses and MOOCs in the area of Energy Storage. In this way, the UPV contributes to the identification of learning needs, the application of the ASSET method and tools to its teaching material, and the delivery of this teaching material. Specifically, the course being developed is called "Hydrogen as an Energy Vector". The course provides the fundamentals of hydrogen technology, using it to store energy and further develop the concept of its use as an energy vector. The course follows the blended format, combining online elements, through a MOOC (EMMA platform) and face-to-face teaching carried out at the university facilities.

In the paper, we will present the main ASSET tools, the lessons learned in the development of course materials during the lifetime project and the analysis of the results of this experience.