MSc Renewable Energy Systems Engineering
Developed in the context of the rapid development of the renewable energy industry, this programme is suitable for graduates from engineering, science or other relevant subjects with an interest in pursuing a successful career in research, technological development and management, and commercialisation of renewable energy systems.
The programme investigates both renewable energy and systems technologies in order to produce scientific researchers and engineers who are competent in the R&D and engineering tasks applicable to the renewable energy and sustainable development sectors.
The key learning outcomes are a global understanding of the major types of renewable energy technologies, in-depth knowledge of the technology for biomass-based renewable energy, and knowledge and skills in systems modelling and optimisation. This programme also provides you with opportunities to learn about energy sector
economics, supply chain management and sustainable development to further broaden your relevant knowledge.
Entry standards
A good honours degree or an overseas equivalent in an engineering, science or related subject. Practitioners with suitable qualifications and relevant experience in engineering, science or technology are also welcome to apply.
English language requirements
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).
Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.
MSc Renewable Energy Systems Engineering - structure and modules
Module Titles
Compulsory Modules
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- Biomass Processing Technology
- Renewables Technology and Business Seminars
- Process Modelling and Simulation
- Process Systems Design
- Optimisation and Decision Making
- Dissertation
Optional Modules
- Supply Chain Management
- Process and Energy Integration
- Energy Economics and Technology
- Economics of International Oil and Gas
- Sustainable Development
- Research Methods and Principles
- Knowledge-based Systems and Artificial Intelligence
- Transitions to a Low Carbon Energy Economy
- Introduction to Petroleum Production
- Process Safety and Operations Integrity
- Refinery and Petrochemical Processing
Compulsory Modules
Renewable Energy Technologies
This module provides a systematic understanding of current knowledge, problems and insights in the field of renewable energy technologies and enables you to evaluate renewable energy technologies, develop critiques and propose solutions. It covers the production, collection and storage of different types of renewable energy, including solar, wind, biological, geothermal, hydro, tide and wave, and fuel cells.
Biomass Processing Technology
This module provides an in-depth understanding of the processes and technologies for sustainable use of biomass in producing energy and chemical products. You will acquire knowledge of first- and second-generation biofuel production processes, understand the concept of bio-refineries, and examine the integration of biomass-based production and conventional oil refining.
Renewables Technology and Business Seminars
This series of presentations from external industrial, governmental and academic speakers keeps you informed of the latest achievements in renewable energy development, as well as the current and future challenges and major ongoing efforts in this field.
Process Modelling and Simulation
This module provides a systematic introduction to the concepts and tools for mathematical modelling and simulation of chemical, thermochemical and biochemical process systems. Specifically, you will acquire knowledge on types of modelling tools and gain experience in applying the standard simulation tools commonly employed in industrial workplaces.
Process Systems Design
This module develops your understanding of how to systematically synthesise and design process systems. It will cover process synthesis and integration technologies that reduce the costs and environmental impact of chemical plants, with a particular focus on reaction and separation.
Optimisation and Decision Making
This module aims to develop an understanding of the technology available for optimising process systems, business models and operations. You will be provided with state-of-the-art versions of modelling and optimisation approaches in order to understand both the potential and the limitations of available techniques.
Dissertation
This project provides an opportunity for you to pursue a single topic in depth and to demonstrate evidence of research potential for the Masters award. You are encouraged to either research a new concept or apply existing technology in a new field. A number of dissertations are carried out in collaboration with industry. Through this module, you will be able to approach an open-ended topic to research new ideas and experiment with new technologies.
Optional Modules
- Supply Chain Management
- Process and Energy Integration
- Energy Economics and Technology
- Economics of International Oil and Gas
- Sustainable Development
- Research Methods and Principles
- Knowledge-based Systems and Artificial Intelligence
- Transitions to a Low Carbon Energy Economy
- Introduction to Petroleum Production
- Process Safety and Operations Integrity
- Refinery and Petrochemical Processing
Programme Structure
We offer a set of optional modules that will allow you to tailor the programmes to suit your individual needs, whilst the compulsory modules provide the fundamental knowledge and skills needed in industry today.
Graduate students will find the programmes of substantial benefit in developing the knowledge and skills acquired in their undergraduate programmes. For practising process engineers with professional business experience, the programmes are an opportunity to update their knowledge of current design practice and also to familiarise themselves with developments in codes and methods of analysis.
Successful completion of four modules is required to gain a Postgraduate Certificate and eight modules for a Postgraduate Diploma. To be awarded the MSc, you will need to take eight modules and successfully complete a dissertation.
Each module is worth 15 credits. The majority of modules are provided by University academic staff. In addition, the business and research seminars and renewable technologies and business modules are coordinated and supervised by University academic staff but delivered by experts from industry, research institutions and business organisations. The majority of modules run for ten weeks and comprise approximately 30 hours of class time (three hours per week) and 120 hours of self-study and assignments.
There is a wide selection of modules on offer within the programmes covering the most relevant areas in the sector of business and technology in the process industry. At the end of the programmes, you will have an opportunity to pursue a single topic in depth and to demonstrate evidence of research potential through the project dissertation.
Academic support in the form of consultations is constantly available to enable further knowledge and skill comprehension.
MSc Renewable Energy Systems Engineering - entry standards
Entry standards
A good honours degree or an overseas equivalent in an engineering, science or related subject. Practitioners with suitable qualifications and relevant experience in engineering, science or technology are also welcome to apply.
English language requirements
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).
Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.
Planned intake
Up to 25
Start date
September
Programme Director
MSc Renewable Energy Systems Engineering - fees and funding
Fees
Renewable Energy Systems Engineering (full time):
UK/EU - £5,740
Overseas - £14,830
Renewable Energy Systems Engineering (part time - per module and for the dissertation):
UK/EU - £638
Overseas - £1,648
MSc Renewable Energy Systems Engineering - professional context
Careers
Engineers and scientists are increasingly expected to have skills in information systems engineering and decision support systems alongside their main technical and/or scientific expertise.
Graduates of these programmes will be well prepared to help technology-intensive organisations make important decisions in view of vast amounts of information by adopting, combining, implementing and executing the right technologies.
MSc Renewable Energy Systems Engineering - teaching
Staff perspective
Dr Aidong Yang
A chemical engineer by training, I am teaching several MSc modules in the areas of process systems design and modelling, and biomass processing.
My teaching is well informed by active research in the fields of multiscale modelling of complex systems and modelbased
analysis and optimisation of manufacturing systems based on renewable resources.
As a lecturer and a researcher in systems engineering, I believe the coupling of process, information and business engineering with the systems perspectives, as offered by the family of MSc programmes from PRISE, is instrumental in developing future engineers and policy makers who will inevitably be expected to seek efficient and systematic solutions for problems of increasing complexity.
MSc Renewable Energy Systems Engineering - learning
Facilities, Equipment and Academic Support
Modules related to the different groups are taught by a total of six full-time members of staff and a number of visiting lecturers.
An extensive library is available for individual study. It stocks more than 85,000 printed books and e-books and more than 1400 (1100 online) journal titles, all in the broad area of engineering. The library support can be extended further through inter-library loans.
As part of their learning experience, students have at their disposal a wide range of relevant software needed to support the programme material dissertation projects. In recent years this work included the design of various knowledge-based and business systems on the Internet, the application of optimisation algorithms, and semantic web applications.
Numerous laboratory facilities across the Faculty and the University are also available for those opting for technology-based projects, such as the process engineering facility, a control and robotics facility and signal processing labs.
The work related to the MSc dissertation can often be carried out in parallel with, and in support of, ongoing research. In the past, several graduates have carried on their MSc research onto a PhD programme.
Teaching and Assessment
Our programmes utilise our research-active staff in conjunction with state-of-the-art facilities to provide a range of learning experiences – lectures, seminars, directed study, practical laboratories and project work.
Lectures are delivered by specialised, expert academic staff. Further in-depth knowledge and skills are gained through seminars delivered and guided by experienced professionals from industry, business and research organisations with the focus on the latest trends and problem-solving methods. You will also work on a number of projects, individually and in groups, supervised by academic staff and focusing on real-life problems.
Modules are generally assessed by a combination of examinations and continuous assessment. The latter will be based on solutions to tutorial questions, reports covering practical sessions and fieldwork, and essays on a number of suitable topics. Each module is examined separately. There is a written final examination for most modules at the end of each semester, although some modules are examined by continuous assessment only. The modules and the dissertation project have a minimum pass mark of 50 per cent.
MSc Renewable Energy Systems Engineering - graduate profile
MSc Renewable Energy Systems Engineering - more
Centre for Process and Information Systems Engineering
Process integration and systems analysis for sustainability of resources and energy efficiency are carried out within the well- established Centre for Process and Information Systems Engineering (PRISE). PRISE, supported through industrial membership, fosters interactions with R&D centres around the world. The most notable of the successes in this area includes design technology for chemical reactors and chemical process flow sheets, optimisation solvers, the knowledge management h-TechSight and a long array of synthesis tools.
Major research interests in PRISE include:
- Chemical reactor design, addressing specific industrial reactors or reaction/separation and reactive separation processes
- Process operations, including graph-based methods, mathematical programming, stochastic optimisation
- Computer-aided molecular design (CAMD): integrated synthesis of optimal process designs and optimal solvents, novel solvent options and retrofit decision making
- Bioprocess systems: the research targets optimal biocatalytic process design problems focusing on membrane and solvent-based reactive and non-reactive separations, and solid/liquid separations
- Knowledge management and grid applications inviting real-life problems to be used as pilot studies
- Oil exploration: research investigates the effective production and exploration of oil and the optimum design capacity of production facilities
- Sustainable systems engineering: with strong links with the Centre for Environmental Strategy (CES)
Other Programmes You May Be Interested In
- Petroleum Refining Systems Engineering
- Information and Process Systems Engineering
- Process and Environmental Systems Engineering
- Process Systems Engineering
MSc Renewable Energy Systems Engineering - apply
You can apply for this programme online using the link(s) below. We recommend making an application as soon as you can, even if you do not have all the necessary supporting information ready at that time.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to enter a username and password. If you've used our application system before, please enter your details or click the forgotten password link.
If you are a new user, you will need to create a username and password by clicking the New User button.
Start date
September
Planned intake
Up to 25
Programme length
12 months full-time; up to 60 months part-time
Programme Director
For general enquiries
T: 0800 980 3200 or
+44 (0)1483 681681
E: pg-enquiries@surrey.ac.uk
For admissions enquiries
T: +44 (0)1483 682357
E: feps-pg@surrey.ac.uk
Related courses
- Information and Process Systems Engineering
- Process and Environmental Systems Engineering
- Process Systems Engineering
- Petroleum Refining Systems Engineering