ROYAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Distance Master Program Sustainable Energy Engineering (DSEE) ROYAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Department of Energy Technology Brinellvägen 68 10044 Stockholm Sweden Phone: +46 8 790 747 2 Fax: +46 8 20 41 61 E-mail: marianne.salomon@energy.kth.se Majors: Sustainable Power Generation Sustainable Energy Utilization in the Built Environment
Page 2 Distant Master Program in Sustainable Energy Engineering - DSEE Since 1997 the Department of Energy Technology has offered the Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) MSc Program to over 200 students from around 50 different countries. Since the academic year 2004-2005 the department offered a distant version of the Sustainable Energy Engineering Program DSEE. This is a complete e-learning program that is held in parallel to the regular SEE Program. The purpose of the SEE and the DSEE Program is to provide stateof-the-art education in the fields of power generation and energy utilization in the built environment by means of economically and environmentally sustainable systems and technologies. The term sustainable energy engineering comprises a wide array of practices, policies and technologies (conventional and renewable/alternative) aimed at providing energy at the least financial, environmental and social cost. A strong emphasis is placed on dealing with energy engineering tasks with due consideration of technical, environmental and socioeconomic issues. Advanced methods are applied to identify, describe, quantify and find solutions to a diverse range of energy engineering problems. The program has a total duration of nine months taught courses (=40 Swedish Academic Credits, SAC - 1 SAC is equivalent to 1.5 ECTS) followed by an average five to six months of thesis project work (20 SAC or 30 ECTS). The program is open to applicants from all over the world, and is offered free of charge. The program language is English. The DSEE Program is a parallel alternative allowing students to participate in the regular SEE Program at a distance. All mandatory courses are offered on-line and lectures can be followed either synchronously or asynchronously. Certain exercises (laboratories, study visits) are arranged on an individual basis. Successful completion of the DSEE Program results in the award of the degree of Master of Science with Specialization in Sustainable Energy Engineering, with special mention Distant Education on the diploma and official transcripts. Page 11 DSEE Organizational Aspects In contrast with on-campus studies, participation in a distant program requires several additional aspects to be considered. Among the most relevant aspects for the DSEE Program are: Host Facility It is critical that DSEE students have access to local resources ( laboratory facilities, etc) in order to ensure success. Students are encouraged to identify a host university or industry who will be responsible for providing these basic services. Other duties of the host will be established on a case-by-case basis. Students must have access to computer resources and internet connection either at the host facility or on their own. Interview An interview will be carried out before the fall semester starts using the software for distant lectures in order to verify the reliability and availability of the communicational platform, to answer questions that might arise before the first semester starts, and to follow up on the identification process required for the exams. For this interview a web camera and a headset will be required on the student s side. Lectures The lectures will be performed using Centra when required. Participation either during the lecture or immediately afterwards will be compulsory. All course material will be available electronically from the different course homepages. Evaluation The evaluation of the courses normally includes an exam, project, quizzes and/or assignments. Exams are performed with the help of the staff at the host facility or at the Swedish embassy (prior agreement with the program administration). Group projects will be carried out in cooperation with other colleagues as close as possible to your time zone. The communication platform, Centra, and the discussion forum for each course will be available to foster group discussions. Projects will have a pre-established deadline that must be followed. Home assignments will be given in several courses as part of the evaluation. The assignments must be submitted according to the deadline set by the instructor. Lab exercises will be performed as remote labs or a suitable equivalent activity will be specified by the course instructor.
Page 10 engineering, applied physics, and areas of electrical/chemical engineering relevant to power generation/distribution, and/or energy utilization. Applicants shall hold Bachelor of Science (BSc), or Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degrees in relevant disciplines - or documented equivalents thereof. Equivalency will be evaluated at the discretion of the Program Administration, based on academic achievements and profile, as well as pertinent professional experience. It is imperative that applicants have a sound knowledge of basic engineering sciences, including engineering thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, mathematics and numerical methods. Professional experience in related fields will be considered as a merit. A sound and documented knowledge of written and spoken English (equivalent to a minimum TOEFL-score of 575) is required from all applicants. Program Duration The taught portion of the program consists of two terms. The Fall Term starts in the beginning of September (most commonly on the second Monday in September) and finishes in the third week in December, followed by ca. three weeks of Winter Recess. The Spring Term starts in mid-january and finishes around the end of May. Specific starting and finishing dates vary slightly from year to year. A Spring Recess of about three weeks is scheduled during March/April. After successful fulfillment of all course requirements, students are assigned a thesis project on which they typically work during a subsequent period of about 5-6 months, see also the section Thesis Project. Application Procedure Applications for all Master degree programs at KTH are handled centrally by the Admissions Office and are web-based. In short, the application is divided into two parts. Part 1 covers general information such as name, address, Master degree program (s) sought, and degrees earned to date. Part 2 contains information specific to the SEE Program. Other key information and documents that are required include the following: (1) curriculum vitae covering academic achievements and work experience, along with possible publications and awards; (2) certified copy of university transcript listing all courses and grades achieved; (3) two letters of recommendation (see template); (4) proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or similar). Application Deadline Completed applications should be submitted by 15 May of the preceding academic year. The mailing address for completed applications is listed in the program s homepage. Further information about the program and hard copies of application forms (if internet access is not available) can be obtained from the Program Administration. Program Outline Page 3 The course programs for the two study majors Sustainable Power Generation and Sustainable Energy Utilization in the Built Environment include a number of common courses, (see diagram). Students choosing to enroll in Sustainable Power Generation attend the advanced courses Applied Heat and Power Technology as well as Advanced Renewable Energy Technology or Applied Reactor Technology and Nuclear Power Safety, and carry out a thesis project relevant to that major. Students opting to enroll in Sustainable Energy Utilization in the Built Environment attend the advanced courses Thermal Comfort and Indoor Climate, as well as Applied Refrigeration and Heat Pump Technology, and subsequently work on a thesis project dealing with a task relevant to that major. General Energy Engineering Courses Introduction to Energy Technology, 2 credits This course aims at providing an introduction to and overview of the broad field of energy technology. A condensed cross-section of essential engineering concepts/principles from the domain of thermodynamics and heat transfer is provided, including a review of the concepts of energy and power, energy conversion, energy efficiency, reversible and irreversible processes, and basic thermodynamic cycles. An overview of global energy resources is given, leading to a historic review of human energy use and power generation. Society s energy demands and the pertinent energy flows are analyzed from the perspective of different sectors, including industry, households, transport, agriculture, as well as the commercial and public sectors.
Page 4 Sustainable Power Generation, 6 credits The objective of this course is to discuss energy-efficient and environmentally compatible power generation systems. The introductory section includes an overview of heat and power technologies, followed by an analysis of the most significant heat and power generation technologies, including those based on steam and gas turbine cycles, as well as combined steam and gas cycles. The course further provides a general overview of non-combustion-based (renewable) power generation technologies, including those based on the exploitation of wind, hydro, solar and geothermal resources. (A more detailed discourse of renewable energy technologies is provided in the course Renewable Energy Technology.) Topics in nuclear reactor technology and nuclear power safety are considered, focusing on the properties and performance of boiling and pressurized water reactors. Sustainable Energy Utilization, 6 credits The purpose of this course is to discuss the energy utilization in society in light of what is considered as (environmentally, and otherwise) sustainable practice, with special focus on technologies used for satisfying a broad range of cooling demands, as well as technologies used for space-conditioning (heating/cooling, ventilating) in the built environment. The portion of the course dealing with refrigeration and heat pump technology emphasizes compressor-driven refrigeration plants and heat pumps, air separation, absorption cooling devices, as well as refrigeration and storage of frozen products. The second part of the course deals with the function, properties and operation of components and systems used for efficiently providing comfortable indoor environments for occupants, and suitable conditions for processes, with particular focus on heating and ventilation systems, energy management and conservation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality. Renewable Energy Technology, 4 credits The purpose of this course is to provide a survey of the most important renewable energy resources and the technologies for harnessing these within the framework of a broad range of simple to state-of-the-art advanced energy systems. The course discusses the use of solar (thermal and photovoltaic), hydroelectric, wind, geothermal, ocean thermal, wave, tidal and geothermal energy, as well as Page 9 Thesis Project After completing all course work, every student is assigned a thesis project on which he/she typically works over a period of 5-6 months (20 credits). Provided that a thesis project deals with a clearly defined topic from the domain of sustainable energy engineering, and under the condition that competent guidance/supervision is available to the student throughout the thesis project period, the project may be carried out either in an academic environment (university, research institute, or equivalent) or in an industrial setting (power plant, energy consulting agency, or other industry/business). While suitable thesis project topics may be proposed and assigned by program lecturers, or by specialists from related industries/businesses, students are encouraged to define relevant projects on their own, and to seek environments in which these can be carried out successfully. The thesis project is conducted under the guidance of an advisor from within the program, and the assistance of local/external advisors. Students are expected to keep their advisors regularly updated on the progress of their project work, and need to submit progress reports at different stages of their work. The purpose of thesis projects is for the students to elaborate sustainable solutions to specific energy engineering problems, preferably relevant to the conditions and requirements in the students' home countries. Thesis projects should thus preferably be carried out there. Under specific circumstances, projects may be carried out elsewhere by special agreement with the program administration. Upon completion of their thesis projects, students are expected to formally present the results of their efforts within the framework of a seminar and respond to comments/questions put forward by a committee consisting of their thesis advisors and invited referees. These presentations may either be carried out at KTH, or - if this is more convenient to all involved parties, and then upon special agreement - at other suitable locations, e.g. in the countries where the projects were carried out. Upon successful completion and presentation/defense of their project work, students are awarded by KTH the Degree of Master of Science with Specialization in Sustainable Energy Engineering. FORMALIA Eligibility Applicants interested in being considered for admission need to have academic backgrounds in disciplines/professions relevant to the study major of interest, and are required to substantiate their keen interest in continuing their careers in areas relevant to sustainable energy engineering. Suitable academic backgrounds include mechanical
Page 8 Energy Management, 4 credits This course provides training in forecasting and developing the strategies and settings required for managing and promoting the advancement and use of economically and environmentally sustainable energy systems and technologies. Issues discussed include energy system analysis, methods for evaluating system efficiency (energy and pinch analysis, as well as static and dynamic energy balances, life-cycle analysis), energy economics (investment analysis, life-cycle cost, choice of technology as related to payoff requirements), use of information technology in energy engineering and strategies for introducing and disseminating emerging technologies. The course is based on the analysis and discussion of a series of relevant case studies. Issues discussed include power distribution technologies, energy technology development strategies, project management, as well as related social and international aspects. Additional courses Additional courses listed below (more information at www.energy.kth.se) can be followed upon discussion with the instructor and the DSEE Program Director. Advanced topics in Heat and Power Engineering, 2-10 credits Aerolasticity in Turbomachine Cascades, 5-10 credits Air Breathing Propulsion, Intermediate course, 4 credits Airbreathing Propulsion for High Speed Flight, 4 credits Combustion Theory, 4 credits Educational aspects in Energy Technology I, 10 credits Educational aspects in Energy Technology II, 5-10 credits Fluid Machinery, 4 credits Introductory Airbreathing Propulsion, 4 credits Measurement Techniques I, 2 credits Measurement Techniques II (self study), 5-10 credits Measurement Techniques III, 2 credits Numerical Methods in Energy Technology, 4 credits Rocket Propulsion, 4 credits Steam plants and Thermodynamics, 5 credits Thermal Turbo Machinery, 4 credits Page 5 energy from biomass. The use of fuel-cell and heat pump systems is dealt with. Issues relevant to energy efficiency and energy storage are discussed. The potential of using renewable energy technologies as a complement to, and, to the extent possible, replacement for conventional technologies, and the possibility of combining renewable and nonrenewable energy technologies in hybrid systems are analyzed. Strategies for enhancing the future use of renewable energy resources are presented. Advanced Courses Thermal Comfort and Indoor Climate, 4 credits The objective of this course is to provide a thorough understanding of how ventilation and heating affect thermal comfort and air quality indoors, and how this, in turn, reflects on energy management in the built environment. Thermal comfort and space-conditioning are analyzed against the background of human physiological requirements. Different methods for evaluating thermal comfort and indoor climate are presented as applicable in different indoor environments (industries, offices, dwellings, etc.). Factors affecting air quality are analyzed. Gaseous and particulate indoor air pollutants are discussed with regard to acceptable concentrations, health effects and existing regulations/standards. The influence of building materials on indoor air quality is dealt with. Ventilation demand and ventilation effectiveness are discussed as determined by requirements of pollutant and heat removal in different indoor environments. Methods for estimating/calculating the energy flows required for achieving specific levels of thermal comfort and air quality are analyzed as relevant to energy management in the built environment. Applied Refrigeration and Heat Pump Technology, 4 credits This course aims at providing advanced proficiency in dealing with complex tasks within the area of refrigeration and heat pump technology, as well as problems within related branches of energy technology. A wide array of different refrigeration processes, refrigeration machinery and plant design are dealt with in online lectures and seminars. The present status concerning the development of new refrigerants, as well as advanced refrigeration processes are discussed. Methodologies used in computing cooling demand, as well as in optimizing insulation thickness and different mechanical components are analyzed. Design and optimization of heat pump plants, including heat sources for such plants are considered in detail. Mobile refrigeration and
Page 6 airconditioning systems, sorption processes, low-temperature processes, and air separation processes are covered. Testing methods and safety standards for refrigeration systems are discussed in the classroom and within the framework of laboratory exercises. The course also includes study visits and seminars given by industry experts. Applied Heat and Power Technology, 4 credits This course aims at providing in-depth proficiency in a broad array of heat and power technologies, including a detailed discussion of relevant power plant components, as well as typical applications in industry and heat generation. Plant components including gas turbines, steam turbines and condensers are treated in detail. Measurement techniques used in thermal systems are analyzed. State-of-the-art heat and power technology is dealt with as relevant to both industrial and district heating applications. Different types of power plants are presented in detail, including combined cycle plants, where a variety of different technologies can be applied. The performance of different types of cycles is discussed, including the performance of a variety of novel cycles. Applied Reactor Engineering and Nuclear Power Safety, 4 credits The purpose of this course is to provide in-depth knowledge in reactor technology and basic proficiency in reactor safety. The essential differences between thermal and fast reactors are discussed against the background of the advantages and shortcomings of different types of reactors. The concept of moderation in thermal reactors, and the choice of appropriate moderator materials are discussed. The influence on core construction of moderator material choice is analyzed. A number of important problems within the domain of reactor physics are discussed, including essential methodologies for computing core-physical processes. The theory of subcritical cores is dealt with, leading to a discussion of neutron kinetics for reactor cores in operation. Internal fuel cycles are dealt with, as relevant to both fast and thermal reactors. The external fuel cycle is dealt with, starting with mining, and followed by the purification of uranium concentrate and subsequent conversion to hexafluoride. Enrichment processes and fuel production are dealt with, including different possibilities for treating spent fuel. Applied Renewable Energy Technology, 4 credits This course is a continuation of the renewable energy technology basic course and discusses in more detail two of the major renewable energy players in the energy field: Page 7 wind energy and biomass. Both renewable resources have attracted interest in this time period where energy supply and climate change are of special concern. The importance of wind turbine as a commercial technology in the future and its role in the reduction of greenhouse emissions has been clearly identified by different governments. On the other hand, biomass-based fuels have attracted much interest due to their plentiful supply and favorable environmental characteristics (if properly managed). The effective capture and continued sustainability of this renewable resource requires a new generation of biomass power plants with high fuel energy conversion. Applied Energy Technology Project Course, 6 credits The aim of this course is to provide to the program participants an opportunity for specializing in an area of energy engineering of particular interest by taking part in a project carried out in close cooperation with the industry. The project typically deals with a specific real-life situation in which sustainable energy solutions are to be applied. The project is generally carried out on a task within the domain of the chosen study major (SEU or SPG). The knowledge/information required for dealing with the specific task is acquired by complementary lectures and literature studies. Project group presentations are held in seminar format at mid-term and final phases. Energy and Environment, 4 credits This course aims at giving an overview of the effects of power generation and energy utilization on ecology and climate. Sustainability issues, as well as the concepts of life-cycle analysis, material flow analysis and environmental impact assessment are discussed. An overview of the global energy situation is given, and possible scenarios for future development are analyzed. Issues discussed include the effects on the environment of burning fossil fuels and waste materials. The ecological impact of emissions, and the transport of pollutants in air, water and ground are dealt with. The utilization of nuclear power is discussed against the background of the potential hazards associated with the handling, transport and storage of nuclear waste. Renewable energy technologies are discussed as alternatives to conventional (nonrenewable) technologies, with a focus on their environmental impact. Historical, cultural and socio-economic issues are dealt with, along with aspects relevant to energy policy, environmental management and economics. A study visit to an environmentally compatible power generation plant/complex is arranged. A number of case studies and projects are elaborated on in group work. The course is given in cooperation with specialists from a wide array of related fields.