Sustainable Energy Supply M.Sc.

 

Germany’s declared goal to transition towards sustainable energy inspires many universities to offer new courses of study specifically geared to fulfill the particular needs that arise in this process. A great number of these academic offers focus on singular aspects of the problem, such as for instance the utilization of biomass.

In contrast, this RWTH Master's course of study is aiming for a much more comprehensive skills profile. It is characterized in particular by two unique factors:

• Interdisciplinarity – In comparison to the typical „Energy-Subjects,“ Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering, this degree course in Sustainable Energy Supply considers matters from all different angles and accross subjects
• Individualized specialization due to being able to chose electives from a wide variety of subjects – Students may create their own highly individualized schedule, chosing from three different areas – Raw Materials, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering.

By working together with the faculties of Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering, this course of study offers students the opportunity to chose individual specializations on one hand while at the same time providing them with a sound subject-specific foundation, which all students acquire in compulsory classes.

Great importance is attached to understanding the complexity of the energy supply field, which is influenced by many factors, including the extraction of raw materials to be used as energy carriers, their processing and distribution as well as other economic aspects. All of these separate areas are treated in combination in a special compulsory class, the planning seminar. Here, all future engineers have to come together in groups to plan and evaluate an entire energy-generating facility. To do this, they take on the role of staff in an engineering office, who have to deliver results while working against a deadline. What could better prepare these future professionals if not a program held under realistic conditions?

Characteristics of the RWTH course of studies

In the Sustainable Energy Supply Master's course of study, students are given the opportunity to plan for their own personal energy transition. By having a great selection of subjects at their disposal and also the freedom to create highly individual schedules, every graduate will have gained a distinct pool of competencies at the end of their studies. Nevertheless, always utmost in their minds is the one goal: to bring success to Germany's energy transition!

 

*** Studienverlauf ***

The Master's program "Sustainable Energy Supply" comprises four areas of study: raw materials, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and a non-technical area of study. Students must complete various mandatory and elective courses from all of the four areas, but there are not regulations on when and in what order these areas are to be completed. The final components of the program are the Master's thesis and an industrial internship. It is possible to combine the internship and the Master's thesis, i.e. the internship research and activities form the basis for the Master’s thesis.

Raw Materials

The mandatory area consists of the following modules:

• Planning of energy production plants
• Renewable energy raw materials and bioenergy
• Taking samples and raw materials analysis/characterization
• Natural resources and enery law

The modules in the elective area cover the following topic areas:

• Fuel processing
• Geoenergy
• Secondary raw materials
• Deposits

Mechanical Engineering

Apart form the mandatpory module on energy systems technology, students can select courses from the following areas:

• Power plant technology
• Solar energy
• Energy technologies
• Hydropower

Electrical Engineering

Neben dem Pflichtmodul Elektrische Energie aus regenerativen Quellen können sich die Studierenden aus folgenden Themengebieten Fächer auswählen:

In addition to the mandatory module Electrical Energy from Regenerative Sources, student can select from among the following topics:

• Electrical grids
• Wind energy
• Photovoltaics
• Electricity supply

Non-technical Fields

In the area of non-technical subjects, students must complete a mandatory course on technology impact assessment and a course from the field of simulation technology. Moreover, there are electives in the fields of business & economics as well as energy economics.

 

Exchange Programs

The ERASMUS+ program enables students to study at different universities abroad so that they may gain the best possible qualifications for their future careers. Not only in Germany is the topic of energy of great importance. Whether it be Scandinavian countries such as Finland or Norway, or our immediate European neighbors – the department maintains good partnerships with many different European universities.

These stays abroad are sponsored in part by RWTH-specific funding programs. All RWTH partnership programs are introduced on the Student exchange website.

Internships

Proof of having completed an internship is a prerequisite for beginning the Sustainable Energy Supply Master's program. Another internship may be completed during the Master's studies on a voluntary basis. Furthermore, in some university courses students will have the opportunity to gain practical experiences in laboratories or technical schools. Excursions also offer insights into future working environments. If students should chose to prepare a final thesis in a company setting, a university laboratory or during an internship, they can already learn to work on a complex problem in a self-reliant manner.

 

Prerequisites

A prerequisite for starting studies is a first qualifying university degree, with which the necessary background education can be proven as determined in the exam regulations. The exam board determines whether the entrance requirements are fulfilled.

In order to be successful in the Master course of study in Sustainable Energy Supply, applicants' previous education should ideally have included training in how to deal with complex problems. Interested individuals need to be able to find solutions to these types of questions by applying fundamental engineering principles.

 

Career Prospects

Leaving university as well-trained engineers in the field of sustainable energy supply, the graduates will play an important role in achieving a successful transition toward sustainable energy. It doesn't really matter where exactly in this complex system they start their careers. It is the interaction of all the different players together that will lead to success. Due to their multi-disciplinary education and training, the graduates can either function as intermediaries between the different professional groups or they can focus on a distinct subject area.

In addition to the big energy producers and network providers, smaller companies are also looking for qualified staff. More and more it is the interconnections between decentralized facilities that matter; and this is exactly what the well-trained engineers bring to the table with their individualized specializations.

Due to the increasing scarcity of fossil fuels and the rising energy needs of the ever-growing world population, professionals who have received interdisciplinary education and training and therefore have an ability to see the big picture are in high demand.

 

Module Handbook and Examination Regulations

The module handbook provides a description of all modules of a degree program and offers a comprehensive insight into the program contents.

The examination regulations are comprised of legally binding provisions on learning objectives, prerequisites for study, the course structure and processes, and examination procedures.

Regulations that generally apply to all Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, including information on language proficiency requirements, can be found in RWTH's General Examination Regulations. These general regulations are further specified and complemented by the subject-specific examination regulations.

If two examination regulations are valid for a degree program during a transition phase, the most current version shall apply to students enrolling in the program for the first time.

Please note that only the German examination regulations are legally binding.

Module Handbook
Subject-Specific Examination Regulations
RWTH's General Examination Regulations

 

Departments and Faculties

The inter-faculty Master course of study in Sustainable Energy Supply is offered by the Division of Mining Engineering, Mineral Processing , and Recycling in the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering . The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology are also involved.