Community engagement software training for TEA-LP masters’ students
JKUAT students with Dr Kennedy and Dr Abdullah from ENACT. Source: JKUAT
Masters’ students undertaking the MSc in Energy Technology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKAUT) have recently completed a trial classroom run of the Demand Assessment Unit, part of their mini-grids course. This included learning to use the COMET software for the Demand Assessment of mini-grids. The classroom trial ran from the 6-9 May and all the students were presented with a certificate of completion at the end of the one-week unit.
Course completion ceremony. Source: JKUAT
The COMET software was developed by Ayu Abdullah and Dr Scott Kennedy from Energy Action Partners (ENACT) to support communities in understanding the implications and benefits of a community mini-grid. Using COMET software, participants learn about the operations and economics of a mini-grid through role play as electricity users in a community. Topics explored through COMET include appliance ratings, load profiles, willingness-to-pay, billing & tariffs, demand-side management, and productive use. Outside the classroom, mini-grid developers can use COMET in the field during project planning and customer recruitment to assess electricity demand, socialise mini-grid design options, and ultimately align expectations of the community with the services that will be provided.
Dr Scott Kennedy demonstrating COMET. Source: JKUAT
Students role playing demand assessment with COMET. Source: JKUAT
Student Patrick Ndirangu Maina shares his experience of the COMET training
Student Gai Bol Deng shares his experience of the COMET training
Anceita Jepleting spoke highly of the training and was very grateful to all involved.
The exciting news is that ENACT will be sharing the COMET software and the teaching materials developed during this classroom trial with all TEA-LP universities delivering the mini-grids course. This supports graduates from TEA-LP universities with the skills and tools needed for increasing access to off-grid energy.
