Programme description for Master's Programme in Renewable Energy (2024–2027)

Normally, student exchange takes place in the third semester. However, it is possible also to do the master's thesis abroad.

The Offshore Wind specialization is avalable from autumn 2024.

What do you learn?

Learning outcome

On successful completion of the programme, the student

• has thorough knowledge about different forms and systems of renewable energy, in particular hydro, solar, wind, thermal, biomass, hydrogen, batteries and thermoelectricity.

• has advanced knowledge about modelling and simulation of energy and electromechanical systems

• can apply knowledge about industrial applications with power electronics, electric motor drives and control theory

• can apply knowledge about design, management and control of the future heat and power grids

• has thorough knowledge of important aspects of the Norwegian energy supply system, the international energy situation, and the application in their practical work

Skills

On successful completion of the program, the student

• can analyze, evaluate, assess and adopt new technology in already existing as well as new energy systems

• can use relevant methods to design, model, simulate and control fossil-free heat and power systems

• can use relevant methods to design, model and simulate electrical and electromechanical components and systems, especially with regard to motors, mechanical drives and different applications of these within production, automation and offshore applications

• can analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations and work independently to planning and implementation of future flexible smart grid solutions

• can carry out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision using physical-based and/or data-driven approaches

General competence

On successful completion of the programme, the student

• can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes in renewable energy systems and related industrial applications of electromechanical systems

• can apply his/her knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projectscan communicate extensive independent work and master language and terminology in the field of renewable energy

• can communicate about academic issues, analyses and conclusions in renewable energy applications, both with specialists and the general public

 

Structure and content

Admission requirements

The admission requirement is a completed and passed three-year bachelor's degree in engineering, within the areas renewable energy, electronics and electrical engineering, mechatronics or mechanical engineering, in line with the National Curriculum Regulations for Engineering Education in Norway. Furthermore, the following requirements are set, which in part go beyond the minimum requirements in the national curriculum regulations:

• At least 25 credits in relevant mathematics

• At least 5 credits in statistics

• At least 7.5 credits in physics

The weighted average grade of C or better is required.

Admission takes place in accordance with regulations on admission to studies and courses at the University of Agder https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2021-11-24-3370?q=uia

Recommended previous knowledge

We recommend that applicants have previous knowledge of the fundamental areas within renewable energy, basic feedback control systems and a basic background in electric circuits and machinery. Students without previous knowledge of control systems are advised to attend parts of the course Analog and Digital Technologies (7.5 ECTS credits).

General description and profile

Renewable energy is defined as energy coming from resources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, hydropower, tides, waves, geothermal heat and biomass, which is derived from living or recently living organisms, with wood being the largest biomass source today. All these sources are sustainable, because we can use them today without compromising the ability of future generations to use the same sort of sources.

A global race is on for finding the best sustainable energy solutions, and the energy sector is facing great challenges and large investment needs. The programme aims at educating candidates who can contribute in developing technological solutions for a future energy-neutral Europe. This interdisciplinary and flexible programme is internationally oriented, engaging students in advanced and challenging research projects.

The programme aims at giving students a comprehensive overview of the main areas within renewable energy production, as well as specializing in selected areas important to the energy supply system in Northern Europe. The programme addresses the major industry needs, which are multidisciplinary flexible systems and digitalization.

The programme has a wide range of basic and advanced courses, which are combined in partially overlapping ways, and can be grouped in 4 major groups of disciplines:

• Renewable energy sources and production techniques

• Modelling and simulation

• Electrical power systems, motors and grid

• Research and innovation

The Renewable energy sources and production techniques group is wide and includes six courses divided in two sets of electives courses in the 1st and 3rd semesters, allowing students to choose between different renewable energy sources and technologies, such as Wind energy, Fluid dynamics and hydro power, Combined heat and power systems, Hydrogen, battery and thermoelectricity, Solar cells and Bioenergy. All these technologies will probably play a role in the future transition from centralized energy systems to decentralized/distributed energy systems with high penetration of renewable energies and with electrification of the transport sector.

The Modelling and simulation group is composed by the courses Modelling and simulation of mechatronic systems and Data analysis and modelling techniques in renewable energy. These courses allow students to increase their problem-solving and digitalization competences, giving useful tools for research and innovation within renewable energy, but also applicable in other industries, like process industry. Topics like data mining, signal processing, numerical differentiation and integration, regression, optimization, system control and dynamic simulations will be implemented in a programming platform. Also, some physical modelling issues for planning and executing laboratory tests will be introduced.

The Electrical power systems, motors and grid group includes Power electronics for renewable energy, Electric motor drives, Power systems dynamics and Smartgrid systems. These courses cover the most common electrical issues related to renewable energy, namely electrical power systems stability and control, electrical motors design and control, power conditioning devices for integration of renewable energy sources and distributed electrical energy systems, and smart grid systems, including microgrids and demand side management. These courses give the core competences to tackle the challenges in the electrical area of the future flexible energy systems.

The Research and innovation group comprises the Energy research project and the Master’s thesis in renewable energy, where students can acquire an in-depth knowledge of one or more central topics relevant to renewable energy and the possibility to take on and complete a R&D project. The students will have the opportunity to apply physical-based or/and data-driven modelling techniques in areas related to generation, transportation, storage and distribution of renewable energy.

The more transversal electives in the 3rd semester are Life-cycle assessment and optimization of constructions, which deals with increasing concern from the society about sustainability and circular economy, Corporate economic analysis I, for obtaining basic knowledge of cost calculations and business management, and UiA Samskaping – OpenLab, where students from different study programmes work together to find solutions for real-life problems, enhancing their competence of interdisciplinary team work.

UiA has advanced laboratory facilities that will support R&D activities in the areas related to renewable energy and transportation systems, like solar energy, bioenergy, hydrogen, batteries, thermoelectric generators, power electronics, power systems and smart grids. For computational purposes, if required, students can have access to a supercomputer at the Mechatronics Innovation Lab (MIL). The strong cooperation with the industry gives UiA access to data from several different renewable energy plants and systems (like wind farms, hydro power plants, PV plants, etc.).

All courses have 7.5 ECTS credits, except the elective UiA Samskaping – OpenLab (10 ECTS) and the Master’s thesis in renewable energy (30 ECTS).

Teaching methods

Teaching and working methods on the study programme are detailed in the individual course descriptions.

However, a variety of teaching and learning methods will be used: regular lectures comprise the basic teaching, but individual exercises, group exercises, laboratory work and project work is also important. Many courses include project hand-ins, with emphasis in reporting and presenting projects.

Attendance at regular lectures is not mandatory, but you may be obliged to attend certain parts of a course.

The teaching methods will, in addition to facilitating professional development, also develop the your abilities in practical problem solving and teamwork. Group projects are important throughout the entire study programme. The projects will train you in the application of theoretical knowledge and tools, to define and analyse specific issues and to develop new systems and products. Moreover, the group projects will develop the your skills in teamwork and communication.

Assessment methods

The assessment methods are varied and closely related to the work and teaching methods and are detailed in the different course descriptions. Assessment is normally based on written exams, often combined with mandatory project hand-ins and presentations. There is also assessment based on an individual oral examination. In some courses, assessment is based on project work and students' course portfolio. Project work and midterm examinations will form part of the assessment in some courses. In all courses that end with a written examination, all coursework must be successfully completed before the you can take the examination.

The master's thesis is being assessed by two external examiners.

Internationalization

The Faculty of Engineering and Science has a number of agreements with foreign universities.

University courses abroad may count towards the home degree. Such courses must be approved by UiA. Please contact the programme coordinator.

Normally, student exchange takes place in the third semester. However, it is possible also to do the master's thesis abroad.

Requirements for continuing in programme

Before enrolling on the ENE500-G Master's thesis in renewable energy, the student must have successfully completed courses in their education plan with at least 75 ECTS credits. All courses that lead directly into the thesis subject must be successfully completed.

Occupational profiles / further studies

After successfully completing the master's degree, you will be able to move directly into the professional field as a graduate engineer in a range of capacities. The programme qualifies graduates for work in both the industry and the business areas. Prospective employers include energy producers and distribution companies, power-intensive industry, consulting companies, offshore industry, transportation companies and the public sector.

The programme also qualifies the graduates for a career in research, and doctoral studies in engineering in areas related to the specific fields of the master programme. For admission to a doctoral programme, you have to apply for a vacant PhD fellowship and fulfil the admission requirements in question. There are relevant doctoral programs at the University of Agder, University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), at Aalborg University (AAU) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in Denmark and at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Chalmers University and Linköping University in Sweden, as well as many other institutions.

Qualification awarded

Master i teknologi (sivilingeniør) - Fornybar energi/ Master of Science in Renewable Energy

Evaluation

Study programme evaluation is conducted annually in the programme committee in accordance with the Quality System, section 4.2. Before the meeting of the study programme committee, the student representative may obtain suggestions and ideas from fellow students.

Contact person

For further information, please contact Programme coordinator Sathyajith Mathew

mail: post at uia.no

phone + 47 3814 1000

Other information

A compulsory course in Health, Safety and Environment is required for students admitted to the programme.

It is a requirement that all students at UiA have their own portable computer (laptop) for use in teaching and examinations, see Examination Regulations, University of Agder, §12d