Energy Systems & Policies
First Trimester - Renewable Energy Science
Renewable Energy Science (30 ECTS)
Second Trimester - Energy Systems & Policies (30 ECTS)
ESP601: Advanced Energy Conversion & Storage Systems
ESP602: Integrated Energy Systems – Modeling & Optimization
ESP603: Smart Energy Networks
ESP604: Alternative Energy in Transportation
ESP605: LCA of Renewable Energy Systems
ESP606: Energy Project Evaluation, Finance & Market Analysis
ESP607: Renewable Energy Policies & Scenarios
Third Trimester - Master's Thesis
Specialization Prerequisites
Background in engineering (or physical sciences) and economics (natural resource economics/energy economics; engineering economics), including courses in thermodynamics, statistics and advanced mathematics.
Individual Modules
Modules are of 1-3 weeks duration and carry 2-6 ECTS credits; 3 hours of lectures in the morning plus a lab/project session for another 3 hours in the afternoon, five days of the week. Students complete individual or group project assignments for each module, take an exam following the completion of each module, and a final exam at the end of the trimester. Before the completion of the second trimester each student has to complete, submit and have approved a detailed thesis proposal. The thesis proposal needs to be written with the guidance of a faculty advisor and approved by the RES Academic Board.
ESP601: Advanced Energy Conversion & Storage Systems
Course Description: Analysis of thermo-mechanical, thermo-chemical, electrochemical, and photoelectric processes and technologies of renewable energy conversion and storage systems; on-shore and off-shore energy conversion; innovative energy storage devices; energy carriers, synthesized fuels, and fuel reforming. Emphasis is on advanced energy technologies, energy efficiency, systems performance, innovative grid connections, and minimizing environmental impacts.
Course Duration: 2 weeks - ECTS Credits: 4
ESP602: Integrated Energy Systems – Modeling & Optimization
Course Description: Analysis and modeling of energy systems for hybrid operation - providing electricity, heating, and cooling. Advanced micro-generation, cogeneration, tri-generation, and poly-generation systems; energy flows, low-carbon energy systems, energy systems integration, and design of “intelligent” sustainable energy systems. Critical energy infrastructure; centralized vs. decentralized systems; on-shore and off-shore systems; and energy demand and supply modeling. Techniques introduced include: optimization and simulation modeling, econometric and other forms of parameter estimation, input-output modeling, and integrated systems models.
Course Duration: 3 weeks - ECTS Credits: 6
ESP603: Smart Energy Networks
Course Description: Advanced electricity distribution systems, emerging technologies and communication systems to improve the performance, stability, security, and efficiency of electricity networks. Power flow assessment, voltage control, protection and intelligent metering solutions; matching between supply and demand; direct and indirect electrical storage; and electricity trading. Power systems planning and management of electric grids; smart grids designed for massive amount of various sources of renewable electricity; and technical evolution of the required network infrastructure.
Course Duration: 2 weeks - ECTS Credits: 4
ESP604: Alternative Energy in Transportation
Course Description: Fuel production systems and conversion technologies for the sustainable production and supply chains of liquid and gaseous transportation fuels; alternative transportation technologies and infrastructure for advanced future transportation systems – on land, water and air; environmental and social impact assessments. Models for estimating the energy consumption and emissions in different transportation systems; evaluation of externalities and means of reducing pollution and optimizing energy consumption.
Course Duration: 2 weeks - ECTS Credits: 4
ESP605: LCA of Renewable Energy Systems
Course Description: Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis for different renewable energy technologies and integrated energy systems; student projects by using state-of-the-art LCA software (i.e. SimaPro).
Course Duration: 1 week - ECTS Credits: 2
ESP606: Energy Project Evaluation, Finance & Market Analysis
Course Description: Project evaluation techniques; economical analysis of projects; financing of large-scale renewable energy projects; impact and risk assessment in project evaluation; laws and regulations for energy production; case studies. Analysis of renewable energy markets and market instruments; market characterization and globalization; demand and supply in energy markets for different renewable energy sources and technologies; market price formation, regulations and barriers; and international protocols and emissions trade markets; carbon trading, and energy trading.
Risk models for the energy markets and methods for managing energy risks. Manufacturing and marketing of renewable energy technologies, price and cost forecasting. Strategic opportunities resulting from emerging technologies, market dynamics, and changing policies, from the perspectives of established energy companies, technology developers, equipment and service suppliers, financial players, and entrepreneurs.
Course Duration: 3 weeks - ECTS Credits: 6
ESP607: Renewable Energy Policies & Scenarios
Course Description: An overview of energy policies and policy instruments that facilitate investment in renewable energy technologies and increased energy efficiency; student case study analysis of various successful and unsuccessful policy options that have been implemented; European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan). Valuation methods for assessing the economic and environmental importance of renewable energy and potential impacts of different policy alternatives and options; cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of various renewable energy choices and increased energy security; models used to assess various implications of alternative energy futures or scenarios.
Course Duration: 2 weeks - ECTS Credits: 4