What You'll Study or Why Study Renewable Energy

93% of Renewable Energy students in graduate level employment or further study within six months of graduating.

• Energy efficiency (buildings, industry, transportation)
• Renewable energy (wind, solar, geothermal, tidal)
• Design for environment and resource efficiency
• Large-scale energy and environmental systems
• Clean energy for the developing world
• Advanced thermodynamics and energy materials

If you’d like to be part of change, here are the 10 best academic institutions to pursue a degree in renewable or sustainable energy systems.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

In 2005, the Oregon Institute of Technology rolled out North America’s first four-year undergraduate degree program in renewable energy. Today, the Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering program continues to prepare graduates to develop, manage, and implement sustainable energy technologies.

The program provides a foundation in math, physics, and chemistry. Core courses include instruction in energy management, wind power, photovoltaics, and fuel cells. The Institute added a Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering in 2012.

2. University of California Berkeley

Berkeley has long been a leader in research that addresses global issues and concerns. Its full-time MBA program in energy and clean technology was created to help individuals in the business and public policy sectors address energy problems. The program explores energy issues from every angle, including engineering, environmental, and fundamental science perspectives.

The university’s Renewable Energy Speaker Series invites leaders in a variety of sustainable and alternative energy sectors to share their insights with current students. Another class partners students with other graduate students from law, engineering, science, and policy programs to address the challenges of bringing new energy technology to the global marketplace.

3. University of Texas at Austin

The engineering program at UT Austin offers an extensive Energy Systems and Renewable Energy Technical Core for bachelor-level engineering students. The program aims to prepare graduates for careers in power systems and generation, grid operation, and renewable energy sources.

Students in this four-year program study both traditional and renewable energy resources and explore the function and design of electrical machines. Courses delve into topics such as nuclear power systems, solar conversion devices, and the development of solar-powered vehicles.

4. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan’s Energy Institute offers master degrees in energy systems engineering and in sustainable systems. The Energy Systems Engineering program is the first in the country to focus on developing leaders who are prepared to dynamically respond to changes in environmental and energy needs across the globe.

The Sustainable Systems program is a dual degree that prepares graduates with strong foundations in both engineering and sustainability. The program includes courses on ecological sustainability, infrastructure, and how to communicate energy solutions to policy makers. Graduates will be able to engineer energy systems that are sustainable economically, environmentally, and socially.

5. Stanford

Through its Center for Professional Development, Stanford offers graduate and professional certificate programs in renewable energy. These energy technologies certificates are designed for working professionals who want to expand their knowledge or broaden their career options. Certificates take between one and two years to complete and are offered online to better meet the needs of students who are already working full-time in their field.

Students can get either a graduate certificate in energy engineering and technologies or a professional certificate in energy innovation and emerging technologies. Courses explore everything from cellulosic biofuels and solar cells to electrochemical energy conversion and entrepreneurship in engineering and science-based industries.

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It’s no surprise that innovative tech leader MIT has an energy studies minor that provides students with a combination of theory and hands-on experience. MIT views energy as a subject that permeates across all disciplines — so the university integrates undergraduate energy education across all schools, departments, and programs.

MIT also offers undergraduates the chance to participate firsthand in energy research related to a variety of energy and environmental challenges. Research opportunities are held over the summer and involve energy sources such as wind, solar, nuclear, and geothermal.

7. North Carolina State University

The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center started in 1988 with a focus on solar energy. Today, the center offers an award-winning Renewable Energy Technologies Diploma Series through part of NC State’s continuing education division. Since its inception, the center has received both state and national recognition, including the U.S. Department of Energy Million Solar Roofs Best Progress Award for the Southeast Region.

Courses focus on practical application and help students obtain professional certifications for photovoltaics and solar heating. Technical professionals can fulfill requirements for certification through three 40-hour courses. The program also offers options for contractors, architects, and engineers to complete required continuing education credits for their professional licenses.

8. San Juan College

San Juan College in Farmington, N.M., has been offering solar training for more than 13 years and has one of the longest-standing renewable energy degree programs in the country. Students can pursue either an Associate of Applied Science degree or a certificate with a concentration in photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.

As part of the School of Energy, the Renewable Energy program emphasizes the National Electric Code as well as the design and application of solar energy systems. Courses also take an in-depth look at energy usage and conservation as well as building energy analysis.

9. Ecotech Institute

The first and only career college focused solely on education for careers in renewable energy technology, Ecotech offers a variety of bachelor and associate-level degrees for people who want a career in sustainable energy. Degrees range from a bachelors in business administration with an emphasis on sustainability to an associate degree in renewable energy. There are also options to focus on residential energy management or specific forms of clean energy like wind or solar.

Students in the Renewable Energy program can customize their degree to the specialization of their choice. Specialties include an emphasis on wind, solar, electrical engineering, and waste management.

10. University of Massachusetts Lowell

Whether you’re interested in minoring in sustainable energy or are ready to tackle a Ph.D., UMass Lowell has a renewable energy program to meet your needs. As a national research university, UMass is on the cutting edge of energy research and development.

From its energy engineering minor to its various doctoral programs, UMass offers a well-rounded education that emphasizes service learning and research. Students are encouraged to participate in renewable energy programs and initiatives in their community through SLICE, Service Learning Integrated throughout the College of Engineering.

With demand for clean, renewable energy sources growing, there will be an increased need for skilled workers. There are plenty of options available for people looking to start a career in renewable energy or expand their current professional goals to include sustainable energy. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, these 10 colleges are the best place to start researching which program will meet your education needs and career goals.

Europe?

International agreements on CO2 diminution and European directives on the expansion of renewable energy generation ensure that the recent rapid growth in renewable energy installations will continue. Skills shortages in this sector are already being identified and the expected growth will only exacerbate the situation. Within the rapidly expanding European renewable energy industry, an urgent demand exists for more post-graduate trained staff, specialised in renewable energy technology.

The application process for Academic Year 2017/2018 is now closed, the 2018/2019 process will start on 15 January 2018.

The European Master is a course given by a consortium of Universities, each one with demonstrated experience in teaching and research excellence in a particular renewable energy technology. 

Core Providers

• MINES-Paristech, France - French-taught 
• Loughborough University, UK - English-taught 
• University of Zaragoza, Spain - Spanish-taught 
• Oldenburg University, Germany - English-taught 
• Hanze University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands - English-taught

Specialisation Providers

• National Technical University of Athens, Greece - Wind 
• University of Northumbria, UK - Photovoltaics 
• University of Zaragoza, Spain - RE Grid Integration 
• University of Perpignan, France - Solar Thermal
• Instituto Superior Tecnico, Portugal - Ocean Energy
• Hanze University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands - Sustainable Fuel Systems for Mobility

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TIDAL ENERGY by CCRES

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TIDAL ENERGY

Tidal energy is produced through the use of tidal energy generators. These large underwater turbines are placed in areas with high tidal movements, and are designed to capture the kinetic motion of the ebbing and surging of ocean tides in order to produce electricity. Tidal power has great potential for future power and electricity generation because of the massive size of the oceans.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com




Osmotic power plants operate by combining salt water and fresh water. Cost has been one of the major obstacles in taking this type of power to the masses, but they have obviously fixed that problem and the new power station is being watched by all with much anticipation. With well over 10 years of research behind it, this osmotic power plant is literally world changing technology.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.



While this particular osmotic power plant is more of a prototype than energy source, it will be curious to see how things work. They will use this plant primarily for testing and development of a commercial model, but if all goes well, we can expect to see a power station that will be made for public energy use in just a few years.

The basis of this energy source is the meeting of fresh water with salt water. That being the case, these osmotic power plants can be set up anywhere that there is a runoff into the ocean. Believe it or not, they can actually be built right into industrial buildings if this testing model is found to be successful. The power plants are both noise and pollutant free and are a great alternative to some of the means of power that industry is currently using.



Because much of industry around the world is located on waterfront areas, if this source of power proves to be successful, this becomes a very viable source of energy for industry to use to dramatically cut down on the pollutants that are released into our atmosphere from this business sector. Anyone having driven through an industrial section of town knows how important this would be to creating a much safer breathing environment.

The project itself is headed up by Statkraft, which is the largest renewable energy company in Europe. They have over 10 years research invested in this project and are very excited to have Norway behind them in this venture, the princess in particular. In addition to developing this osmotic power plant, Statkraft is also involved in developing other renewable energy sources such as solar power and marine power.

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) site is going to be the place where marine energy farm Aquamarine Power is going to become the first Scottish company to test both wave and tidal technologies. Aquamarine Power has reached an agreement with EMEC to place its tidal stream power device known as Neptune at the test site on the Isle of Eday. Neptune is an Edinburgh-based company.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.

Neptune has a capacity of 2.4 MW. One of the most powerful tidal stream devises underdevelopment, it is being designed to produce electricity on a commercial scale. It will soon be competing with other energy sources in the UK, according to the company.

Neptune consists of two horizontal axis tidal turbines mounted upon a single monopole to generate energy from incoming and outgoing tides; this electricity will further be supplied to the grid.

Confirming last week’s signing of the contract with EMEC, a spokeswoman for Aquamarine Power said: “We are delighted to have signed a further contract with EMEC. It’s an exciting and important step towards the deployment and testing of our tidal device.”

When Neptune finally arrives at the EMEC site it will join another tidal power producing device from the company, called Oyster, a hydroelectric wave power converter. Preparations for a full-scale testing of Oyster are already underway at the EMEC Billia Croo site. Oyster’s hydroelectric plant will be connected by drilling three pipelines.

The Aquamarine spokeswoman said: “Through the testing of Oyster, we will learn about installation method and seabed connection. We will verify our tank-testing and learn about survivability, reliability and maintainability of the device which will in turn inform the design of future Oyster arrays.

“Oyster has the potential to be more efficient and environmentally friendly than other systems currently under development. A wave farm of just 10 devices powering one onshore hydroelectric plant could provide enough energy to power around 3,000 homes”.



CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES ( CCRES )