Sustainable Energy

It will include theory and practice along with economics, current legal requirements and standards. The course will be of particular interest to those already in employment as part of ongoing professional training as well as leading to the widening of new job opportunities for its graduates. The Diploma award is based on a combination of the results of two examination papers and an individual project. Students must pass each paper and the project and neither of these can be deferred.

The course consists of 3 taught modules each carrying 20 ECTS credits.

Module 1: Energy management and efficiency will introduce topics such as energy physics, energy resources, climate change and environment. Energy demand and energy management will be detailed sectorally in terms of energy in buildings; in transport and in industry. There will be a focus on measures for energy reduction and energy efficiency along with assessment procedures. Topics in energy economics, policy, embodied energy and life cycle analysis and finally energy legislation and energy markets will be addressed.

Module 2: Sustainable energy technologies will introduce energy generation and conversion. It will concentrate on renewable energy generation technologies (and include lectures on wind, wave, tidal, biomass, biofuels, geothermal, hydro, solar, waste to energy) and low carbon technologies (nuclear energy, hydrogen, fuel cells). Grid integration and energy storage will be addressed as well as the future of fossils including clean coal and carbon capture and storage.

Module 3: Individual project is a key element of the course where the theoretical and technical aspects of Sustainable Energy which have been presented, analysed and discussed in the other two modules are brought into practical and innovative focus. Each student will be expected to engage in a piece of original study to reveal a novel aspect of sustainable energy.

Admission Requirements
A minimum Lower Second Class (2.2) award in an Honours Bachelor of Engineering or Science Degrees or equivalent professional qualification.

Closing Date: 31st July 2023.

Applications will open on 1st February 2023 for this programme, as an internal review of the course content and its mode of delivery are underway in light of the transition of this course from in-person to a blended format in recent years. For queries about this course, please contact the Course Director Prof Sarah McCormack by email (sarah.mccormack@tcd.ie)

1 year part-time.

Lectures will be held on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings each week throughout the two semesters (September to April), with laboratories or site visits scheduled in the second semester. For this year as conditions dictate, there will be a blended learning approach allowing students to participate in lectures either in a face-to-face format or remotely via the University online platform.

Next Intake: September 2020

Career Opportunities
Designed to provide civil engineers and other suitably qualified professionals with advanced knowledge in efficiency techniques, sustainable energy technologies and energy management systems and strategies, the course widens job opportunities for its graduates and allows them to access such postions as Renewable Energy Administrator, Energy Engineer, Environmental Engineer, and Sustainability Consultant.