Masters Degrees in Energy Technologies, Germany

We are living in a fast-changing global economy with more opportunities, growth and development than ever before. However, these changes and the ever-increasing demand for energy and natural resources make us realise that our resources are finite and that we need to come up with new sustainable solutions for old and new challenges.

“Engineering and International Business” students are able to deal with these current environmental and fundamental challenges because they have an interdisciplinary view on resource and energy shortages and use their holistic approach to connect current and recently-developed technologies in order to find sustainable solutions. Their technological background and the modules on renewable energy systems as well as sustainable water and residue technologies help them to get to the core of these technical and environmental issues.

Apart from technical expertise, our Master students receive a solid management education within an international context. Classic business modules, such as Marketing, Sales, Finance and Project Management are incorporated into the curriculum to make students gain a general and thorough business understanding.

Subjects like International Contract Law, Licensing, Investment Strategies and Life Cycle Assessment are part of the programme, so students are able to assess the business environment, the economic viability and the efficiency of projects and systems.

After completing the degree, graduates have the necessary skills to plan water and waste management facilities and renewable energy systems, and have the knowledge to turn different smart technologies into integrative solutions. They have the competences to assess the profitability and the environmental impact of such systems. They know how to develop business models and feasibility studies within an international context and they are capable of managing projects on an international scale.

Curriculum

1st semester

• Renewable Energy Systems
• Technologies for Sustainable Water Management
• Technologies for Sustainable Residue Management
• Advanced Mathematics
• Statistics
• Principles of Electrical Engineering and Thermodynamics

2nd semester

• Sales and International Marketing
• Global Financing and Investment Strategies
• International Project Development
• Renewable Power Systems (PV, Wind, Hydro, Storage, Distribution) including practice
• Renewable Heating and Cooling Systems (Solar, Heat Pump, Cogeneration, Storage, Distribution) incl. practice
• Bioenergy and Residue Management incl. practice
• Water Management Technologies incl. practice

3rd semester

• International Environmental Agreements and Environmental Life Cycle Assessment
• Licensing Requirements and Procedures
• International Contract Law
• Artificial Intelligence and Security
• Service and Quality
• Project Practice

4th semester

• Research & Development - Strategy, Concept, Methods
• Master's colloquium
• Master's thesis and defence

Career Perspectives

Upon graduation you can work in consultancies, in innovative start-ups, in plant manufacturing or in traditional companies that switch to renewable energy solutions and technologies. Further career opportunities lie in residue management, sustainable water supply systems as well as energy and environmental technologies. Areas of work:

• planning and development offices
• consulting firms
• plant operators
• energy and water suppliers
• plant manufacturers
• associations
• public institutions and authorities (licensing authorities, planning and development departments, etc.)

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With declining fossil energy resources, environmental pollution and climate change, the need for sustainable energy supply is becoming more important. The international community has agreed upon the use of renewable energy as an instrument towards a sustainable energy development. Management of energy resources and technologies is a global issue and it needs well trained workforce – from policy level to practitioner level.

The objective of the program is to form such experts. Focusing on developing countries in the tropics and subtropics the MSc. Renewable Energy Management emphasizes a holistic approach considering both technical and socioeconomic aspects of energy management. Participants are provided with appropriate knowledge, methods and skills to analyze current problems in the field of renewable energy usage and related sectors.

Target groups of the program are recently graduated professionals with working experience in public or private institutions, authorities and enterprises of the energy sector. The applicants should be active in or dealing with energy or natural resources management and have an interest in learning and working in an intercultural and multidisciplinary environment.

The master program “Renewable Energy Management” (REM) provides a practice oriented and skills-based learning experience in which students develop their capacity for critical thinking, and creative problem solving. It addresses bachelor’s degree holders principally in Engineering, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences with experience in the area of energy, who aim to deepen their knowledge in Renewable Energy Resources Management and wish to acquire management and leadership skills as well as regional and intercultural competences. These experts should have a sound knowledge base in one of the many fields of renewable energy management. They ought to be able to assess renewable energy resources and develop appropriate solutions considering the complex linkages of renewable energy with economic, social and ecological aspects.

Contents

The studies cover a period of four semesters. The fourth semester is dedicated to the master thesis.

The didactic concept consists of two components: a technical and a social. The technical component provides the participants with the relevant and up to date knowledge necessary to take decisions towards a sustainable management of natural resources. The social component is equally important and aims at equipping the participants with the communicative, intercultural and managerial skills necessary to take up leadership positions in the natural resources sector and to work effectively in the framework of international cooperation.

Some of the core modules covered in this master include: Management of natural resources systems, International Cooperation and Development, Economics and governance. These are complimented by Methods and Tools such as using the Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing, environmental monitoring and Statistics, and learning to apply the knowledge in Projects.

Tuition

Semester contribution fees, additional fees for field trips, conference participation and course materials. For more information on the semester contribution fees: https://www.th-koeln.de/en/academics/fees_5908.php

Funding

Applicants may receive one of the limited numbers of scholarships. Available are full time scholarships from the DAAD EPOS Program for applicants from DAC-list countries.

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Challenges of today’s society such as the increasing energy demand of a growing world population, climate change and environmental pollution require managers to have a global perspective and to make sustainable decisions. Executives in today’s globalized society with knowledge and skills in both renewable energy and environmental management who know how to manage these challenging tasks are in high demand.

This MBA programme includes different perspectives on leadership, management and business administration. Students gain expertise in environmental management and acquire profound knowledge of the latest renewable energy technologies.

The curriculum is structured into interdisciplinary modules with a focus on leadership skills, subject expertise and methodical knowledge and is designed for professionals from all sectors of the energy and environmental industry who want to improve their management skills in order to qualify for leadership positions. In addition to management skills, soft skills are incorporated into the programme and students get the chance to expand their professional network and exchange ideas with executives, lecturers and guest speakers from around the globe. In three semesters, our MBA students get to know the relevant methods and trends in environmental management and the renewable energy sector. They become experts in their field and get the opportunity to advance their management careers.

Curriculum

Responsibilty

• Teambuilding, Social Learning and Personal Communication
• Leadership and Ethics
• Behaviour and Consumption of Natural Resources

Decision Making & Rationality: 

• Complexity and Decision Making
• Information and Communication Technologies for Business Analysis
• Knowledge Management in Environmental Business

Global Thinking:

• Globalisation, Society and Responsibility
• Intercultural Intelligence
• International Perspective on Ecological Economics

Communication & Collaboration:

• Trust and Collaboration
• Corporate Communication and Cooperation
• Smart Technologies in Environmental Management

Practice & Final Thesis:

• Knowledge Management
• Company Project in the fields of Energy, Water, Waste, Agriculture, Nutrition, Smart Grids or Smart Cities and Village
• Master’s Colloquium and Master’s Thesis

Career Perspectives

Energy production and distribution and the management of natural resources are fast-growing industries. Governments across the globe recognize the need to focus on renewable energies and invest heavily in the green energy sector. The MBA degree provides the ideal conditions to take on a top-level management position in this expanding and dynamic industry.

The MBA programme qualifies professionals to work in international institutions and companies such as energy providers, technology manufacturers, industrial service providers, startups, public institutions and non-profit associations.

Graduates can work in:

• Business leadership roles
• International Sales and Key Account Management
• Energy and Facility Management
• Technology Consultancy and Assessment
• Structural Development and Regional Management
• Environmental Protection and Association Work - Business Consulting

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The Master's programme in Sustainable Systems Engineering is designed for highly qualified graduate students holding a Bachelor‘s degree in engineering or science. It provides an in-depth knowledge in fields such as sustainable materials, energy systems, and resilience. The successful completion of the Master's programme qualifies for a career in research, as well as for head positions in industries of conventional and renewable energy, in supply companies and in energy or transport infrastructure operators.

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