Renewable Energy & Energy Management - Online

The course is designed to meet a need for engineers and energy professionals to deliver energy conscious and environmentally sustainable solutions for use by the public, industry, services, and government.

You will gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the scientific, technological, and socio-economic principles and techniques upon which renewable energy technologies and energy management strategies are founded. A requirement of entry is that you are already working in the profession.

This programme enables BEng graduates to achieve the educational requirements to become a chartered engineer under the Engineering Council’s UK-SPEC scheme. This accreditation has international acceptance under the Washington Accord and is only suitable as further learning in conjunction with an accredited BEng programme.

Graduates are employed in interesting and diverse careers in fields related to energy, both in the UK and worldwide. Many are employed as design consultants, while others have embarked upon careers in local government.

About
This qualification should be attractive to those aspiring to school or college leadership. Study is complemented by participant reflection on real situations and is supported by an experienced tutor. The overall theme is on the development of leadership and management skills and capabilities. There is a strong focus on improvement on classroom practice in particular contexts.

Applications for both courses close in mid-September each year and classes begin at the end of September.

Contact Dr Claire Woods for further information: c.woods@ulster.ac.uk

For further course details please see "Course Web Page".

Year one
Energy Policy, Markets and Economics
This module examines current and future challenges for energy system decarbonisation through energy policy, market and economic assessments.

Current Status of Energy Systems
Energy resources, energy production, energy economics and the environment are all inextricably linked. These ties need to be enforced if the concept of sustainability is to be realised.

Energy Management
In view of the increasing attention being given to climate change arising from greenhouse gas emissions and concerns over the strategic supplies of energy, there is a need for industrial, commercial and public sector organisations to control their energy-related operating costs.

Energy Process in Buildings and Industry
Energy efficiency is one of the prime movers in both sustaining existing energy resources and improving environmental acceptability. Industry and Buildings are responsible for typically between 30% and 50% of a country's energy use and therefore represents both a major cost and a major environmental concern while being responsible for the health of the nation's economy.

Year two
Green Building, passive/low energy design and energy efficiency
This module will allow students to understand and critically appraise the factors affecting energy consumption in buildings enabling them to explore a wide range of low energy options in both domestic and non-domestic buildings. This will enable them to reduce the auxiliary energy load of any renewable energy solutions that may be considered while appreciating the main hazards to health in modern building designs.

Wind Energy Conversion Technologies
This module will introduce students to wind energy theory and technology, resource assessment and wind farm site development. It will also discuss the implications of both very large scale development and large numbers of individual turbines on existing electricity distribution networks.

Solar energy processes and technologies
This module will enable students to appreciate, analyse and evaluate current solar energy technologies and understand how these resources may be combined with storage solutions and managed with a view to future sustainability and demonstrate how the management of energy can benefit industry financially in the short term and influence sustainability in the longer term.

Sustainable fuels
This module will introduce students to the diverse sources, technologies and applications of sustainable fuels. Students will be able to understand the impact of different fuels on the society and the environment.

Year three
Research Dissertation
This module will allow the student to undertake an independent, in-depth study of a particular aspect of renewable energy technology or energy management strategy, policy or implementation whether covered in the course or not. It will provide an opportunity for students to integrate knowledge in the identification, description analysis and, where appropriate, solution of a problem within the area of Renewable Energy and Energy Management, and to place it within the context of existing knowledge and recent developments in this area.

Standard entry conditions
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Applicants must normally:
(a) have gained

(i) a degree from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or

(ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma or an approved alternative qualification, e.g. a professional qualification; and

(b) be currently working in a teaching or training environment.

(c) be currently working in a significant leadership role, e.g. Head of Year, Head of Department or similar.

Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink").

Attendance
Fully online.

Students are required to attend fortnightly seminars, 6 per module, and are required to engage regularly with the online discussion boards, synchronous and non-synchronous.

Start Date: September 2024

Career options
In addition to improving the successful candidate's career portfolio, this course will allow development of higher level skills of argument and critical thinking as well as improving academic writing skills and research capability. Having a Diploma level qualification in School Leadership should enhance potential career advancement.

Past students who have completed these Leadership and Management modules have been successful in gaining Vice-Principal and Principal posts both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Other pathways have also led to enhanced professional practice and career advancement.