Subsurface Energy Engineering, MSc

Program Overview

It equips graduates with advanced computational and modeling techniques, preparing them for careers in the sustainable energy sector, petroleum engineering, and environmental engineering. The program draws on the groundbreaking research conducted within the Centre for Energy Transition, providing students with access to state-of-the-art facilities and expertise.

Program Outline

• Hydrogen transportation and storage
• Geothermal resources
• Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)
• Sustainable mining of critical energy transition metals (e.g., lithium and zinc)
• Processing, recycling, and reuse of critical energy transition metals
• Sustainability tools, management systems, and standards (covering quality, environment, energy, safety, and life cycle assessment)

Outline:

• Simulation of Flow in Porous Media: Equips you with numerical techniques for modeling single and multiphase flows in applications like geothermal, CCUS, underground hydrogen storage, and hydrology projects.
• Near Surface & Environmental Geophysics: Equips students with the ability to plan and conduct their own geophysical experiments, focusing on various near-surface features.
Fieldwork involving diverse geophysical equipment forms a significant component of this module.
• Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS): Presents an overview of CCUS motivations, challenges, and technological solutions, delving into the primary capture methods, CO2 transportation, and underground storage, covering their technical, economic, and environmental aspects.
• Geothermal and Hydro Energy: Provides an understanding of the physical principles, technologies, and systems associated with renewable energy generation from geothermal and hydro sources, including their position in the global energy landscape and future challenges.

Semester 3:

• MSc Individual Project: An independent research project based on a topic related to the student's program, designed to encourage application of acquired skills and knowledge to solve practical problems.
The project should exhibit an element of original research.

The program utilizes

• Interactive teaching methods
• Blended learning approaches
• Extensive use of case studies and industrial examples
• State-of-the-art laboratory and field equipment

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Examinations
• Coursework (assignments, laboratory reports, group projects)
• Presentations
• Individual Project

Teaching:

The program utilizes interactive teaching methods in a supportive learning environment, featuring:

• Class discussions
• Problem-solving sessions
• Group work
• Use of real-world case studies and industrial examples
• Blended learning for online and on-campus modules

Careers:

This program prepares graduates for careers in various areas related to energy extraction and storage, including:

• Hydrogen transportation and storage
• Geothermal resources
• Carbon capture and storage
• Nuclear waste storage
• Critical materials for the energy transition

Other:

The University of Aberdeen boasts a significant advantage in C0₂ storage technology due to

• Technical and commercial offshore energy skills built over 50 years
• Existing energy infrastructure
• Unique geology of the North Sea basin

The UK government recognizes CCS as a critical technology for

• Helping carbon-intensive industries meet net zero goals
• Supporting the growth of the offshore oil and gas supply chain

The projected growth of the low-carbon energy sector

• Expects to create 220,000 new positions in the UK over the next 10 years

EU / International students: £27,000 UK: £11,100