MSc Renewable Energy & Decarbonisation Technologies Masters Degree

Program Overview

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The MSc Renewable Energy & Decarbonisation Technologies at the University of Strathclyde prepares students for careers in the energy transition. It provides a comprehensive understanding of technologies for future energy systems, with a focus on industry decarbonization and the integration of electrical technologies. The program combines theoretical and practical grounding, offering opportunities for industrial internships and research projects. Graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to contribute to the shift from fossil fuels to zero/low carbon sources in various sectors.

Program Outline

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MSc Renewable Energy & Decarbonisation Technologies - University of Strathclyde

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Degree Overview:

This MSc program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to the energy transition from fossil fuels to zero/low carbon sources. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the technologies required for future energy systems, focusing on the challenges of industry decarbonization and the integration of electrical technologies.

• Offer a theoretical and practical grounding for future managers and engineers of energy-based projects.
• Focus on challenging problems related to industry decarbonization, state-of-the-art technologies, and future technologies that will support this process on a significant scale.
• Equip graduates with the skills, knowledge, and understanding necessary to find employment in the energy sectors or to undertake research in a specialized energy, decarbonization-related field.
• Develop critical and analytical problem-solving skills in several specialist areas dealing with the specification, design, investigation, operation, and maintenance of future power networks and sustainable energy systems infrastructure.

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Outline:

The program consists of two semesters of compulsory and optional classes, followed by a three-month summer research project in the student's chosen area. Students can choose to carry out their research project through the department's competitive MSc industrial internships.

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Course Schedule:

• Semester 1:
• Energy Economics (10 credits)
• Wind Energy and Distributed Energy Resources 1 (10 credits)
• Solar Energy Systems (10 credits)
• Energy Storage Systems (10 credits)
• Assignment and Professional Studies (20 credits)
• Energy Decarbonisation Technologies (10 credits)
• Power Electronics Principles (10 credits)
• Semester 2:
• Offshore Wind Farms O&M and Economics (10 credits)
• Optional Modules (Choose two):
• Systems Engineering Concepts (10 credits)
• Sustainable Product Design & Manufacturing (10 credits)
• Renewable Marine Energy Systems (10 credits)
• Strategic Technology Management (10 credits)
• Semester 3:
• Optional Modules (Choose one):
• Environmental Impact Assessment (10 credits)
• Circular Economy and Transformations towards Sustainability (10 credits)
• Design for Industry 4 and Smart Products (10 credits)
• Waste Management and Landfill Design (10 credits)
• Control and Protection of Future Networks (10 credits)
• Project in Electrical Energy Transition (60 credits)

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Module Descriptions:

• Energy Economics: Explores key economic issues related to energy policy, supply and demand, regulation of energy markets, and the economics of oil and gas activity.
Also examines socio-economic issues related to wind power and distributed energy resources.
• Solar Energy Systems: Offers understanding of the solar energy industries, including resources, technologies, practical implementation, development, barriers, environmental, and sustainable issues.
Students will gain familiarity with techniques required to analyze common solar energy systems. Students will gain familiarity with different energy storage technologies.
• Assignment and Professional Studies: Provides support for general academic and professional development.
Students undertake an advanced investigation of an electronic or electrical engineering topic of their choice.
• Energy Decarbonisation Technologies: Introduces key technologies of energy decarbonization in electrical networks, transportation, and the Oil and Gas industry.
• Power Electronics Principles: Builds knowledge of power electronics converters and their application to modern energy conversion systems.
• Offshore Wind Farms O&M and Economics: Educates students on the operational challenges and solutions facing offshore wind operators, covering operation and maintenance planning, post-warranty asset transfer, day-to-day operational decisions, repowering, and life extension.
• Sustainable Product Design & Manufacturing: Develops skills to address global challenges in sustainable product development and the study of environmental legislation.
• Strategic Technology Management: Highlights the role of technology in business strategy for maintaining market competitiveness.
• Environmental Impact Assessment: Introduces methods used to predict environmental impacts and evaluates how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions.
• Circular Economy and Transformations towards Sustainability: Introduces circular economy as a systems-based concept and explores its implications for research, policy, and industrial practice.
• Waste Management and Landfill Design: Covers organizational and regulatory aspects of waste management practice in the UK.
• Control and Protection of Future Networks: Enables students to appreciate the principles of control and protection of present-day and future electrical systems.
• Project in Electrical Energy Transition: Provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills in a significant practical investigation.

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Assessment:

• Compulsory and Optional Modules: A combination of written assignments, individual and group reports, oral presentations, practical lab work, and end-of-term exams.
• Summer Research Project/Internship:
• Interim report (10%)
• Poster presentation (15%)
• Final report (55%)
• Conduct (20%)

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Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: A combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory work, and project work.
• Faculty: Experienced academics with expertise in renewable energy and decarbonization technologies.
• Unique Approaches:
• Industrial Internships:
Opportunity to work on real-world engineering challenges with industry partners.
• High-Fidelity Control Room Simulation Suite: Access to the UK's only high-fidelity control room simulation suite.
• PNDC (Power Networks Demonstration Centre): Access to Europe's first center dedicated to the development and demonstration of "smart-grid" technologies.

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Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Power engineering consultancy
• Global power utilities (generation, supply, and distribution)
• Renewable energy sector
• Oil & Gas industry
• Manufacturing
• Opportunities:
• Electrical engineers
• Power systems specialists
• Energy transition engineer in future electrification systems
• Asset managers in large energy utilities

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Other:

• Facilities: Students have access to extensive computing networks, purpose-built teaching spaces, and a high-voltage laboratory equipped with the latest technologies.
• Industry Partners: The program collaborates with industry partners, including oil and gas companies, ScottishPower, Smarter Grid Solutions, and SSE.
• Student Societies: The department and student societies support industrial visits throughout the year.
• IET Membership: All students are provided with student membership of the IET (Professional Body) paid by the department.

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| 2024/25|

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| Scotland £10,800|

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| England, Wales & Northern Ireland£10,800|

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| International £28,250|

Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year.