Overview
The MSc in Renewable Energy Development (RED) is delivered by the International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) at our Orkney Campus. It has been designed around three key drivers of renewable energy development: policy and economics; technology; and the environment. The programme is designed to specifically address these key drivers of renewable energy development in the UK and abroad.
The RED course aims to give its graduates cross-cutting skills in the renewables sector. The course addresses the needs of renewable energy developers as they seek to maximise economic benefits whilst grappling with challenges of overcoming regulatory and environmental issues, and securing finance. Teaching is reinforced with project work where emphasis is placed on simulating real working situations.
The RED course maintains strong links with industry and regulators involved in the sector to ensure its relevance to the demands of renewables employers.
Read more in this guide to Studying in Orkney.
Course content
Energy in the 21st Century
This course is designed to give you a broad understanding of the environmental, political and socio-economic context for current developments in renewable energy. The course examines the extent of current energy resources and how energy markets function. It covers some energy basics you will need for the rest of the course (e.g. thermodynamics, efficiency conversions) as well as environmental issues associated with energy use, climate change and the political and policy challenges involved in managing energy supply and achieving energy security.
Economics of renewable energy
This course gives an understanding of the economic principles and mechanisms which affect energy markets today. It covers price mechanisms, the economics of extracting energy and the cost-efficiency of renewable energy technologies. You will learn about economic instruments used by policy-makers to address environment and energy issues, economic incentives to stimulate renewable energy development and about environmental valuation.
Environmental Policy & Risk
This course explores the legal and policy context in which renewable energy is being exploited. You will gain an understanding of international law, particularly the Law of the Sea, property rights and how these relate to different energy resources. The course also looks at regulatory issues at the international, European and UK level, which affect how energy developments are taken forward, as well as risk assessment and management in the context of renewable energy developments.
Environmental Processes
Particularly for those without a natural science background, this course provides a broad overview of the environmental processes which are fundamental to an understanding of renewable energy resources and their exploitation. You will study energy flows in the environment, environmental disturbance associated with energy use, and an introduction to the science of climate change. You will also learn about ecosystems and ecological processes including population dynamics and how ecosystems affect and interact with energy generation.
Renewable Technology I: Generation
This course explores how energy is extracted from natural resources: solar, biomass, hydro, wind, wave and tide. It examines how to assess and measure the resources, and the engineering solutions which have been developed to extract energy from them. You will develop an understanding of the technical challenges and current issues affecting the future development of the renewable energy sector.
Renewable Technology II: Integration
This course explores the technical aspects of generating renewable energy and integrating it into distribution networks. You will learn about the electricity grid and how electrical power and distribution systems work. You will find out about different renewable fuel sources and end uses, and the challenges of energy storage.
Development Appraisal
Looking at what happens when renewable energy technologies are deployed, this course examines development constraints and opportunities: policy and regulatory issues (including strategic environmental assessment, environmental impact assessment, landscape assessment, capacity issues and the planning system). It also looks at the financial aspects (valuation of capital assets, financing projects and the costs of generating electricity) and at project management.
Development Project
This is a team project, where students have the opportunity to apply what they have learned through the other courses in relation to a hypothetical project. You have to look at a range of issues including resource assessment, site selection, development layout, consents, planning and economic appraisal, applying the knowledge and tools you have studied.
Optional design project
For students who can demonstrate existing knowledge covered by one of the courses, there is the option of understanding a design project supervised by one of our engineers.
Dissertation
This research project (equivalent in assessment to 4 taught courses) allows you to focus on a specific area of interest, with opportunities to collaborate with businesses and other stakeholders. You choose your dissertation subject, in discussion with your supervisor.
Additional information
If you study at our Orkney Campus, you will also benefit from a number of activities including guest lectures and practical sessions, which help to develop your skills and knowledge in your field of study, and offer opportunities to meet developers and others involved in the renewable energy industry.
Flexible study options
This course can be studied full-time or part-time on campus in Orkney. Alternatively, you can also study via Online Learning, ideal for those in employment or with other commitments, providing flexible study options that fit around work or family.
Graduate profiles
Visit our Graduate Profiles page to learn what some of our graduates said about their experiences studying a MSc in Renewable Energy Development at Heriot-Watt University.
Programme duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2 years
Go Global
Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information
Proceso de aplicación
You can apply for all postgraduate programmes (except Edinburgh Business School programmes) using our online application form.
You must create an account to use the online application form. You don't have to complete the application in one session; you can save what you have done so far and return to complete it at a later date.
Oportunidades de financiamiento/becas
Scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.
Additional scholarship information
Scottish Funding Council (SFC) funding available for Scottish students for MSc Renewable Energy Development. This funding is available for on-campus study only.
Resultados del aprendizaje
LEARNING OUTCOMES – SUBJECT MASTERY
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills
- Taught modules deliver core knowledge and understanding, for example: patterns of existing energy use; renewable resource distribution; and the current state of technology. Cognitive skills are developed through problem solving and the application of methods and models (e.g. EIA risk assessment, resource estimation economic appraisal techniques etc)
Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research Informed Learning)
- Students are encouraged to read beyond the course material provided, and merit is given for this in assessments. Assignments are designed so that significant research is required beyond the information contained in the course notes and lectures. The dissertation requires the development and execution of a research methodology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES – PERSONAL ABILITIES
Industrial, Commercial and Professional Practice
- Students are exposed to commercial organisations through seminars, field trips and where possible dissertation placements. Some assignments are specifically designed to replicate professional working situations rather than conventional academic report writing. Team projects require careful time management.
Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others
- The dissertation (and independent pieces of course work) specifically tests student's ability to work autonomously, schedule work loads and produce deliverables to a strict timetable. Team projects require working with others in particular scoping and allocating tasks, writing reports and giving presentations. Team projects are also accompanied by self evaluation of own and team performance.
Communication, Numeracy & Information and Communications Technology
- Communication skills are developed inter alia through oral presentations and report writing. Several courses require the manipulation of numerical data through financial and engineering calculations and the application of economic models.
Prerrequisitos
Entry requirements
Masters (MSc) level entry applicants must have one of the following:
- Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in a related subject area.
- For postgraduate conversion courses, non-related degrees will be considered.
- Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered
PG Diploma level entry applicants must have an ordinary degree in a related subject area and relevant post qualification industry experience.
Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and possibly interview. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Recruitment.
English language requirements
If English is not the applicant’s first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above. Please refer to English language requirements for further details.
Some applicants may be asked for alternative evidence in line with UKVI recognised English speaking countries. Applicants who have previously successfully completed courses delivered in the medium of English language may be considered and will be required to provide documentary evidence of this. Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree. A minimum of at least one year of full time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.
All evidence of English language needs to be dated within two years of the commencement of study.
We also offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your master’s programme:
- 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no more than one skill at 4.5)
- 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.0 in all skills)
- 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with minimum of 5.5 in reading and writing and minimum of 5.0 in speaking and listening)
Categorías CINE (ISCED)
