Masters Degrees in Energy Technologies, Ireland

Introduction:

This is a one-year postgraduate course designed to provide civil engineers and other suitably qualified professionals with a good understanding of energy management and efficiency as well as sustainable energy generation. The course will further advanced knowledge in efficiency techniques, sustainable energy technologies and energy management systems and strategies. It will include theory and practice along with economics, current legal requirements and standards. The course will be of particular interest to those already in employment as part of ongoing professional training as well as leading to the widening of new job opportunities for its graduates. The Diploma award is based on a combination of the results of two examination papers and an individual project. Students must pass each paper and the project and neither of these can be deferred.

Course Content:

The course consists of 3 taught modules each carrying 20 ECTS credits.

Module 1: Energy management and efficiency will introduce topics such as energy physics, energy resources, climate change and environment. Energy demand and energy management will be detailed sectorally in terms of energy in buildings; in transport and in industry. There will be a focus on measures for energy reduction and energy efficiency along with assessment procedures. Topics in energy economics, policy, embodied energy and life cycle analysis and finally energy legislation and energy markets will be addressed.

Module 2: Sustainable energy technologies will introduce energy generation and conversion. It will concentrate on renewable energy generation technologies (and include lectures on wind, wave, tidal, biomass, biofuels, geothermal, hydro, solar, waste to energy) and low carbon technologies (nuclear energy, hydrogen, fuel cells). Grid integration and energy storage will be addressed as well as the future of fossils including clean coal and carbon capture and storage.

Module 3: Individual project is a key element of the course where the theoretical and technical aspects of Sustainable Energy which have been presented, analysed and discussed in the other two modules are brought into practical and innovative focus. Each student will be expected to engage in a piece of original study to reveal a novel aspect of sustainable energy.

Lectures will be held on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings each week throughout the two semesters (September to April), with laboratories or site visits scheduled for Saturday mornings. In addition to attending lectures, students are required to prepare and submit individual original pieces of coursework relating to the subject matter of each of the modules. Assessment is by examination and coursework.

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The MSc in Science of Energy consists of six taught modules worth 10 ECTS each. These are structured around a cross-cutting introductory module. The introductory module is designed to furnish students with all of the basic physics, chemistry and engineering concepts that are required to become an "Energy Scientist". These basics are complemented by essential "Economics of Energy" and "Principles of Energy Policy".

Now with the ability to understand and analyse the competing aspects of all of the essential science, engineering and economics pertinent to the energy discipline, the students proceed to Five specialised technically orientated core modules; "Conventional Energy Sources & Technologies", "Electric Power Generation and Distribution", "Sustainable Energy Sources & Technologies I & II", and "Managing the impact of Energy Utilisation".

With these modules completed and examined in the months September to April, students proceed to a 15 week research project worth 30 ECTS in a leading research laboratory or in industry in the months of May-August.

Course Structure

The curriculum is designed to allow students from a science, engineering, or other backgrounds with relevant experience, to gain the scientific knowledge needed to contribute to the energy sector. This can be through industry, business, academia, government policy or media communication. Students will examine the fundamental and applied science of how energy resources could be diversified from conventional polluting sources (e.g. CO2, NOX, SMOG) to renewable sources, where the sustainability of both the energy source and the conversion technology is presently unknown.

Programme at a Glance

1. Introductory Module - September to November

• Energy Policy and Economics of Energy
• Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer & Reaction Kinetics
• Energy Generation & Storage Electromagnetism
• Greenhouse Gases and the Carbon Cycle

2. Specialised Modules - December to March

• Conventional Energy Sources & Technology
• Electric Power Generation and Distribution
• Sustainable Energy Sources & Technologies
• Managing the Impact of Energy Consumption

3. Dissertation by Research - April to August

• 15 week Research Placement in Industry or Academia

Programme Information

The programme includes interactive lessons, workshops and group projects. Students can also undertake research in the form of a company project instead of the standard dissertation.

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This post-graduate programme has been designed to facilitate professionals practicing in the areas of building design, management and technology. Its’ purpose is to provide expertise in terms of; energy use, environmental performance and sustainability in the design and operation of buildings and their associated facilities and services systems.

The programme will focus on Sustainable and Low energy building design; Building energy performance and analysis; Dynamic thermal simulation; Low and zero carbon heat and power generation technologies; Energy policy and legislation; Energy auditing; Facilities management and Building pathology and investigation.

The knowledge, skills and competencies that participants will gain are relevant to their career development. This programme is developed to meet the Level 9 criteria as set out by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI). The treatment of all programme subjects will encourage the development of powers of analysis, of synthesis and of communication. This will be achieved by building upon both the undergraduate studies and postgraduate experience of participants to develop a broader understanding of low energy building design and management. In addition the selection of a research topic for a dissertation will allow the student to concentrate on one or more of these directions.

The Masters degree requires successful completion of twelve mandatory modules. The student must also complete an applied programme consisting of a Research Dissertation and an Industrial Research seminar series

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Project Objectives

• Research, design and develop a novel eco off-grid mobile study pod for our campus.
• Create a fully functional prototype to serve as a test-bed to explore renewable energy systems and DC storage technologies.
• Integrate state of the art off-the -shelf renewable technologies e.g. solar PV, wind (HAWT), DC storage and heat-pumps.
• Test the hypothesis that through increasing the occupant experience and comfort levels will significantly lead to extra-performance and improved productivity for the end-user

Methodology proposed

This Masters project involves the design and development of a novel eco-efficient off-grid study pod for our campus. The research aim involves creating a functional prototype to serve as a test-bed to explore off-grid mobile study-spaces. The project will lead to the creation of a lightweight shell structure with interior, all of which is capable of incorporating state of the art, off-the -shelf renewable technologies (solar PV, wind (HAWT), DC storage and heat-pumps). The design should create a study/work environment supported by natural light, high-air quality and excellent acoustic performance. The robust ergonomic design will be powered via renewables and can operate independently or link up to form larger pod clusters. The shell structure will have an exoskeleton layer to support the integration of alternative of off-grid renewable technologies. These reconfigurable spaces will improve occupant experience and comfort levels leading to extra-performance and improved productivity for the users.

Expected outcomes: (e.g. deliverables & strategic impacts)

• Faculty collaboration (Built Environment & AME) at I.T. Carlow.
• Performance based study on how this novel system can lead to improved user productivity and well-being.
• Real -world prototype will be developed and tested on campus and will become an excellent educational resource for IT Carlow students

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UCC have developed a Masters in Engineering Science in Sustainable Energy, in recognition of the growing international market for sustainable energy systems and the shortage of qualified engineers. This programme is open to Engineering graduates of all disciplines with an 8 month programme option leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Energy.

Visit the website: http://www.ucc.ie/en/ckr26/

Course Details

In Part I students take modules to the value of 50 credits and a Preliminary Research Report in Sustainable Energy (NE6008) to the value of 10 credits. Part II consists of a Dissertation in Sustainable Energy (NE6009) to the value of 30 credits which is completed over the summer months.

Part I

Students take 50 credits as follows:

NE3002 Energy in Buildings (5 credits)
EE3011 Power Electronic Systems (5 credits)
EE4010 Electrical Power Systems (5 credits)
NE3003 Sustainable Energy (5 credits)
NE4006 Energy Systems in Buildings (5 credits)
NE6003 Wind Energy (5 credits)
NE6004 Biomass Energy (5 credits)
NE6005 Ocean Energy (5 credits)
NE6006 Solar and Geothermal Energy (5 credits)
NE6007 Energy Systems Modelling (5 credits)

Depending on the background of the student, the Programme Coordinator may decide to replace some of the above taught modules from the following list of modules up to a maximum of 20 credits:

CE4001 The Engineer in Society (Law, Architecture and Planning) (5 credits)
EE3012 Electromechanical Energy Conversion (5 credits)
EE4001 Power Electronics, Drives and Energy Conversion (5 credits)
EE4002 Control Engineering (5 credits)
EE6107 Advanced Power Electronics and Electric Drives (5 credits)
ME6007 Mechanical Systems (5 credits)
NE4008 Photovoltaic Systems (5 credits)
PE6003 Process Validation and Quality (5 credits)

In addition, all students must take 10 credits as follows:

NE6008 Preliminary Research Report in Sustainable Energy (10 credits)

Part II

NE6009* Dissertation in Sustainable Energy (30 credits)

*must be submitted on a date in September as specified by the Department

Detailed Entry Requirements

Candidates must have a BE(Hons) or BEng (Hons) Degree or equivalent engineering qualification, with a minimum grade 2H2. However, candidates with equivalent academic qualifications and suitable experience may be accepted subject to the approval of College of Science, Engineering and Food Science. In all cases, the course of study for each candidate must be approved by the Programme Coordinator.
Candidates, for whom English is not their primary language, should possess an IELTS of 6.5 (or TOEFL equivalent) with no less than 6.0 in each individual category.

Candidates from Grandes Écoles Colleges are also eligible to apply if they are studying a cognate discipline in an ENSEA or EFREI Graduate School and are eligible to enter the final year (M2) of their programme.

Assessment

- Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Energy -

Students who pass but fail to achieve the requisite grade of 50% across the taught modules and the Preliminary Research Report will be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Energy. Candidates passing Part I of the programme who do not wish to proceed to Part II may opt to be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Energy.

How to apply: http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/postgrad/how/

Funding and Scholarships

Information regarding funding and available scholarships can be found here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/cblgradschool/current/fundingandfinance/fundingscholarships/

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