Course description
This course enables those with a background in engineering or science to specialize in this dynamic field of expertise. Although the focus of the course is on renewable energy and energy management, the course has proved useful to those involved in many aspects related to energy in general, particularly those in management or a decision-making role regarding the implementation of such technologies.
The course is a linked course of awards leading to either a PgDip (comprising eight taught modules) or MSc (eight taught modules plus research dissertation) in Renewable Energy and Energy Management. Diploma students who perform to the required standard in the taught modules will be invited to transfer to the MSc course and dissertation in a chosen research topic. The current taught course comprises modules in:
· Current Energy systems
· Energy Management
· Energy Processes in Buildings and Industry
· Green Building, passive /low energy design and energy efficiency
· Wind energy conversion technologies
· Solar thermal and photovoltaic processes and technologies
· Biomass processes and technologies
· Tidal and Wave conversion technologies
This course is accredited by CIBSE and the Energy Institute as part of their matching studies portfolio for Chartered Engineering status.
What is Renewable Energy and Energy Management?
Our use of energy is steadily increasing and this has serious consequences for our environment (in both the extraction and use of fossil fuels for example) and for our industry (higher operating costs, whether directly from the energy used or, more recently, from the addition of energy “taxes”). “Energy Management” is the combination of managerial, technical and financial skills necessary to reduce operating costs of processes, their buildings and the supporting infrastructures. To meet these requirements, it is important that wide ranges of energy options are presented, from the more traditional forms to renewable energy sources.
Renewable Energy is energy that flows naturally and repeatedly in the environment. Solar, wind, water, biomass and geothermal power are all studied in depth, but not in isolation. It is also important to understand the technical and economic limitations of their use and therefore this course is taught in the context of energy management and the cleaner use of fossil fuels. This course aims to provide you not only with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific and technological principles and techniques but the skills and expertise to enable you to develop and apply appropriate techniques in building design.
Who would be interested in this course? Since its inception in 1996, the course has attracted students from many different educational and cultural backgrounds who on completion of their studies have progressed to interesting and diverse careers in fields related to renewable energy. The course enables those with a background in engineering or science to specialize in this relatively new and exciting area.
Why the University of Ulster? The PGDip/MSc Renewable Energy and Energy management course offered at the University of Ulster is one of a very small number of such courses in the UK and is accredited by CIBSE as part of their matching studies portfolio for Chartered Engineering status. The two internationally recognized centres of excellence within the University of Ulster energy research portfolio run the course. These are the Northern Ireland Centre for Energy Research and Technology (NICERT) and the Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST) and this course draws on the expertise and resources of the internationally renowned staff in preparation of the material. Finally the University of Ulster has installed a virtual learning environment (WebCt), which the University of Ulster has chosen to deliver online courses and support students learning at a distance and to enhance the delivery of on-campus courses.
Where will this lead? The demand for well-educated energy engineers is increasing dramatically, with wide ranging opportunities in the field of renewable energy and energy management generally. Graduates from the University of Ulster course are employed in interesting and diverse careers in fields related to energy both in the UK and worldwide. Many are employed as design consultants, while others have embarked upon careers in local government as well as the private sector.
