Renewable Energy MSc

Cranfield University

The sustainability industry has been experiencing growing challenges driven by decarbonisation, examples include the increasing difficulties in balancing energy systems caused by the penetration of uncertain and less controllable renewable generation. Nevertheless, the widespread installation of measurement and control units have enabled innovations in data analytics, especially is using AI to support planning and operation in sustainability industry, which effectively addresses the challenges. The scientific and technical concepts of machine learning and AI methods/tools and their potential advantages in the sustainability sector will be taught in this module. The module aims to provide the students with data analytical skills from machine learning and AI technology, and evaluate the advantages/disadvantages of their applications in the sustainability industry. Additionally, the module aims to provide students with essential skills (e.g. computer programming and coding in Python) for applying machine learning in resolving practical problems.

In this world of downsizing, restructuring and technological change, notions of traditional careers and ways of creating value have all been challenged. People are depending more upon their own initiative to realise success. Never, it seems, have more people been starting their own companies than now, particularly to exploit the World Wide Web. There’s no single Government (in either the developed or the developing world), which is not paying at least lip service to enterprise development. The aim of this module is to provide you with knowledge and skills relevant for starting and managing new ventures across the entrepreneurial life cycle. Moreover, it will prepare you on how to prepare a business pitch to an investor.

Solar energy systems have the largest contribution to renewable energy generation and are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. The technology is rapidly developing and is becoming more innovate and sustainable. The adoption of solar energy systems is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. It is therefore crucial to have a deep understanding of the different types of solar energy systems - both PV and solar thermal. This module provides detailed knowledge of solar energy generation systems, and their technical specifications. You are provided with the knowledge and skills to design and critically evaluate solar energy generation systems. An overview of the current state of the art of R&D, our own current cutting-edge research and the future trends and technologies of solar energy systems will be explored.

The module focuses on the opportunities for the conversion of biomass and waste to energy; industry-focused, providing you with a critical understanding of the key challenges in operating energy from waste facilities. The module consists of visits to modern waste management facilities which include talks from the managers at each site to cover the day-to-day management of such technologies. The module aims to provide you with advanced knowledge of the sources of biomass and waste, and the range of technologies available for their conversion into energy, particularly focused on thermochemical conversion whereby opportunities for producing alternative fuels and chemicals from wastes will be explored. Students will conduct laboratory exercises to characterise solid fuels (e.g. waste feedstock and solid residues), assessing the composition and characteristics of waste materials to critically evaluate the fuel properties of the samples. Using analytical results to design thermochemical energy conversion systems using chemical modelling software (e.g. Aspen Plus). Furthermore, the module provides students with a critical understanding of the key differences and challenges in pilot-scale working. The module will utilise several facilities at Cranfield as part of the taught sessions in addition to a visit to an external site, such as a waste management facility, to collect samples for analysis in the laboratory. As a practical module, you will gain significant practical experience through lab practical sessions, computer simulation and industrial site visits.

The Hydrogen Production module aims to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the key engineering principles and challenges underpinning low-carbon hydrogen production. As hydrogen plays a central role in the transition to net zero and a key renewable energy storage medium, the module addresses the growing need for engineers who can apply chemical, electrochemical, and biochemical engineering knowledge to design efficient and scalable production processes. You will develop the skills to determine and assess performance indicators across thermochemical, electrochemical, and biological routes, and will critically evaluate real-world case studies. Emphasis is placed on the integration of technical feasibility with techno-economic, environmental, and socio-political considerations, enabling students to appraise production pathways and propose viable solutions for large-scale implementation, particularly integrated with renewable energy sources. The module also supports students in understanding the critical steps and challenges involved in the commercialisation of hydrogen technologies, preparing them to contribute to the deployment of hydrogen solutions in real-world energy systems.

Understanding what happens to the energy once it's produced is vital to gaining a comprehensive grasp of renewable energy technologies. Energy storage is a crucial component in maximising the potential of renewables, especially given the intermittency of most renewable sources.

This module will provide detailed knowledge and practical experience in the topics of energy storage and energy distribution, which are the critical components in the development and implementation of renewable energy. Lectures and case studies, field visits and laboratory practise will provide you with knowledge and experience in designing and analysing energy storage and distribution solutions in renewable energy infrastructures.

This module provides a rigorous introduction to wind engineering, focusing on the analytical methods and computational tools for wind turbine design and evaluation. It places specific emphasis on developing practical skills in CFD simulation for aerodynamic analysis and addressing key challenges in vibration and acoustics.

In the context of rising household energy demands, concerns for energy security, threat of climate change, and uncertainties in the price of energy (the so-called ‘energy trilemma’) require transformation of the ways in which energy is produced, delivered and consumed. Both for the developed and developing economies challenges stem from meeting increasing electricity demands from more intermittent renewable resources. This module covers a comprehensive overview of crucial aspects within energy policy and the economic principles that underpin energy markets. Our approach is holistic, examining the objectives of energy policy, regulatory aspects of energy markets, and a wide array of policy strategies and tools. We also delve into significant facets of the energy sector, placing a particular emphasis on renewable energy and the economic dynamics of energy supply.

The purpose of this module is to provide you with experience of planning a project that will involve scoping and designing a product. The module provides sessions on project and planning, including sustainable design principles, project risk management and resource allocation. A key part of this module is the consideration of systems thinking approach for creating innovative solutions, ethics, professional conduct, and the role of an engineer within the wider industry context as well as considerations for equality, diversity and inclusion.

Health, safety and environment risk are all key considerations when working in the renewable energy and other industrial sectors. These four topics are also broad and cover many aspects. The module is therefore designed to provide you with the competencies to assess and evaluate the relevant international standards as well as the legislation and regulatory requirements. The module covers key topics including conceptual model development, probability, risk characterisation, and Geographical Information Systems. In doing so, this module aims to provide you with the capability and capacity to assess the wide range of increasingly complex risks and hazards facing organisations, policymakers and regulators. There is a strong focus on the use of case studies to provide examples of how standards and legislation are implemented in practice.

Environmental impact assessment and life cycle analysis are important tools for evaluating the sustainability of complex renewable energy technologies and industrial processes or products. The tools and concepts taught in this module will enable you to assess the sustainability of a case study from an environmental standpoint. Analysis of relevant case studies to demonstrate the assessment process, including how to account for uncertainty and sensitivity analysis.