ABSTRACT
Education for Sustainability (EfS) has been applied in different fields, but not yet thoroughly explored in power system markets taught in higher education. Through an example in power system markets, this study presents the three-stage criteria for the gradual EfS introduction in electrical engineering through enhancing the way that the concepts are presented. As a start, highlighting the changing landscape in power system markets can make learners rethink about a sustainable future. Mainly contributed by the electricity deregulation, smart grid application and renewable energy integration, this landscape can be a springboard for new operation models promoting sustainability. Having said that, the models should still be positioned in a business ecosystem considering stakeholders. For the next stage, the review of relevant stakeholders should transcend conventional stakeholders. New entrants and the change in relative importance of existing stakeholders must be considered. Finally, ideas from the changes and stakeholder review are then situated in scenarios to assess if the built models are flexible and adaptive. Modifications of the ideas based on the scenario analysis are expected. As an operational example, a battery swapping and charging station model was presented showing the changing landscape, the review of stakeholders and the inclusion of scenarios. Battery swapping and charging station operators, although relatively new stakeholders, play key roles in the electric vehicle–power industry ecosystem. Learners were then requested to evaluate the models for long-term suitability given what-if scenarios. For example, varying electric vehicle adoption rates could lead to modified swapping and charging stations with complementary grid services. This chapter provides an operational strategy example in power system markets based on concepts learnt in class and engage learners to think of long-term solutions. The instructional practice of repeatedly re-aligning topics based on (a) changing landscapes, (b) consideration of stakeholders and (c) scenario-based testing for robustness could allow the gradual introduction of EfS in electrical engineering as demonstrated in power system markets. Forward looking, initial subjects for re-alignment suit well with specialised cross-boundary subjects. The methodologies used in these subjects also borrow from other fields. In this chapter, power system markets subject is a specialised electrical engineering field but also uses methods from behavioural and energy economics. Eventually, this process could translate to other focused subjects. Re-alignment of topics based on the three-stage criteria could be pivotal in introducing an EfS perspective for learners in electrical engineering.
