The master’s programme is divided in two years. During the first year, students acquire knowledge by taking courses. In most cases these courses include a practical part in which the acquired knowledge has to be applied. The first semester courses deal with the homologation of knowledge of students with different backgrounds. Also system thinking and the key concepts regarding energy sources, supply and consumption are introduced in this period.
The courses in the second semester provide advanced knowledge within the fields of interest of the students. In addition, students will have to apply the knowledge in projects, which are organized in close co-operation with the industry. In these projects both the system approach and the typical engineering and social science approaches to scientific research are practiced.
Interdisciplinary co-operation is a major goal, especially in the first (group) project. The second project with a focus on research is done individually.
The major part of the second year of the programme is concentrated on research and/or design. Elective courses make it possible to acquire further in-depth knowledge which is necessary to effectively carry out the graduation project. Students can choose their MSc.-assignment in one of the six theme areas: Solar Energy, Wind energy, Biomass, Hydrogen, Intelligent electricity networks and Transition policy.
Energy from Biomass
The course will start with an introduction on the global energy resources and the role of biomass, with aspects of biomass as a renewable energy source and global warming.
Biomass characterization, analysis and the basic principles of biomass treatment steps like: drying storage, torrefaction, pyrolysis, gasification combustion; energy conversion will be discussed.
Modeling of biomass conversion on particle and reactor scale will be examined. Chemical, thermo dynamical, heat and mass transfer aspects will be handled.
The thermo chemical processes of biomass conversion like combustion, gasification and pyrolysis will be discussed in more detail. The different types of equipment applied in these processes will be treated.
Attention will be given to the co-production of valuable products (e.q. bio-chemicals) and fuels from biomass, so-called: biorefinery.
Emissions of solid and gaseous components and the measures to prevent these emissions will be part of the course.
Technology and Sustainable Development
This is an introductory course which starts with defining the concepts of sustainability and asks the question: can development be sustainable? The role of technology in the context of addressing environmental problems, with a particular focus on energy, is examined. What are the linkages between the North (or industrialised countries) and the South (or developing countries) in creating or undermining sustainability? The second half of the course looks at the approaches to creating sustainability: how do governments manage the transition? How can we change human behaviour to use energy more sustainably? What mechanisms and tools are available.
Energy Systems
Analysis of operation and optimisation of systems for the generation of power and of transport of heat. Introduction of main thermodynamic principles. Application of enthalpy and exergy flow analysis on multiple connected physical systems.
Transport phenomena
This course covers the physical mathematical modelling of the transport of heat, momentum and mass. From the general balance equations for energy, momentum and mass the following topics are treated: stationairy diffusion, instationary diffusion, diffusion with chan\mical reactions, diffusion in flowing media. For examples from process- and energy technology the describing differential equations with boundary conditions are generated. Analytical solutions are found and analysed. The analytical solutions are compared to numerical solutions.
Introduction to Chemical Reactor Engineering
In this course a general introduction to chemical reactor engineering is given. First, the focus is on the description of model reactors, i.e. (semi)-batch reactors, continuously stirred tank reactors and plug flow reactors, focusing on reactant conversion and product selectivity. Subsequently, it is discussed how actual reactors can be described or approximated by making use of the residence time distribution to quantify the extent of mixing. Finally, heat effects are discussed.
Electrical power engineering & system integration
This course introduces the basics of modern electrical power systems and networks. Based on the common electrical supply systems basic knowledge about network components and analysis will be given. Further, focused on embedding sustainable energy sources aspects of power electronics, grid-connected and stand-alone systems, stability and power quality will be treated. At the end of this course the student will be able to concentrate himself on special problems of distributed generation.
- basics of 1 and 3-phase systems, simple grid model, active and reactive power;
- electrical power networks;
- synchronous generator and network components;
- power flow calculations;
- power electronics components, grid-connection of sustainable energy sources;
- stability and control;
- power quality; island grid, energy chains
- Sustainable Energy Technology (compulsory)
- Elective for Engineering students.
Wind Energy
In this course attention is focused on the description of the methods that are used in the design process of a wind turbine and of wind farms. At first a description of wind and its characteristics and of the aerodynamics of a wind turbine is given. Next the electromagnetic conversion system and the control of wind turbines are treated, including the dynamics of the system. Also the fatigue of the components, especially the fatigue of the rotors, will come up for discussion. Potential choices of concept, farm effects and operational aspects will be treated, as well as the theoretical aspects of the design process. In the assignment, executed and presented by groups of 4 students different aspects of the design of wind turbines and wind farms are treated. The results of the five modules of the assignments need to be reported and presented. The grading of this course will be based upon the reports of the design assignment and the presentations.
Energy and Economy
The course Energy and Economy (EE) is one of the three non-technical courses, basically teaching on the socio-economic context of sustainable energy technology.
Solar Energy
First a number of aspects of light will be presented. Because semi-conductors are crucial for solar cells their properties will be discussed as well as the most simple semi-conductor structure that can be made of this material, the diode. The composition, functioning and the most important properties of solar cells will be dicussed by means of a classical crystalline silicon solar cell. The most important loss mechniasms in solar cells will be mentioned. Some solar cells will be discussed in detail: multi-crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, and organic solar cells. The specific composition of special structures in these solar cells will be treated, as well as the production processes concerned. Next, markets and product applications of solar cells will be presented with a focus on the design and sizing of solar energy systems in the field.The course starts with discussing the physical principles behind photovoltaic (PV) cells. First of all, the principles of light are considered: spectral irradiation, transmission, reflection and absorption. Secondly, the following subjects are explained: semiconductors, the principles of a diode, characterising solar cells, realisation of photovoltaic cells, factors influencing the efficiency, replacement schemes, one and two diode model, and single or multiple PV cells. These principles are kept in mind while describing the various types of solar cells. Besides, the specific characteristics of each type are discussed. With respect to the multi-crystalline silicon PV cells: production of wafers of multi-crystal silicon, aspects of device structures and cell production processes. Considering amorphous silicon PV cells, device structures (single, double, triple), material and cell characteristics, deposition and production processes. For organic cells: Grätzel solar cells, polymer cells (including the Bucky ball concept) and production methods. Finally, some special photovoltaic cells like CdTe and Cu(In, Ga) (S, Se) are discussed. The application of PV cells in products is discussed in relation to markets and technical potential. Field data of performance of PV systems will be presented in the scope of sizing of these systems according to different principles.
Hydrogen Technology
Hydrogen is considered the fuel for the future as it provides scope for more efficient use of energy via fuel cell applications. However, there are quite a few scientific and technological barriers that need to be overcome to make transition to a hydrogen based energy economy in daily life. Aspects that are crucial to bring this to practice will be addressed by a variety of experts (academic and from Industry) in different areas. The topics will include catalytic, sustainable and reaction engineering aspects of hydrogen production, its purification, separation, storage for transport, and application in fuel cells for power generation.
Additional Information
Additional information on this Master Program can be obtained on the following links:
3TU Sustainable Energy Technology Program
Sustainable Energy Technology Delft
Hi,
Your site has some interesting information but this page under ‘education’ is confusing - there is no explanation of where this masters programme is located, costs, entrance requirements, etc. Given the importance of energy education it is suprising that this is the only content you have.
Chris Walker