Gain specialist engineering skills in integrating renewable energy to the grid.
Discover the tools and systems used in the integration of electrical energy from a wide range of renewable energy sources.
Tackle the challenges and find solutions with our team of internationally experienced engineers. Study online, part-time and develop focused skills as a graduate engineer or energy industry professional.
This short course is part of our Masters in Renewable Energy Engineering and Masters in Offshore Engineering. The credits you earn on this short course count towards these Masters qualifications.
What will I study?
You’ll gain a deep understanding of renewable energy integration, its history, challenges and solutions.
You’ll cover the advanced concepts of grid integration over three core modules:
Renewable energy source integration to grid: challenges and requirements
- Challenges of integration to distribution systems, including intermittency of generation, voltage rise, reactive power support, and power quality concerns
- Challenges of integration to transmission systems, which mainly concern stability
- Review of grid codes, including national, Scottish and German grid codes
- Static requirements, such as power factor, power curtailment, voltage/frequency range and power quality
- Dynamic requirements, such as fault ride through
Voltage and current source converters to integrate renewable energy to grids
- Review of semiconductor power switches, including power diodes and thyristors
- Single/three-phase current source converters and voltage source converters
High voltage direct current (HVDC)
- HVDC transmission for renewable energy integration
- The challenges and benefits of HVDC
- Review of DC grids and DC faults
- Case studies: HVDC transmission for large wind farms
By the end of this course, you will understand…
-
Challenges and practical solutions for renewable energy integration.
-
Standards for connecting renewable energy to the grid.
-
Direct connection of renewable energy sources to the grid.
-
Power electronics-based approaches for indirect connection of renewable energy sources to the grid.
-
How to assess and compare different methods of renewable energy integration.
-
How to propose suitable methods for integrating renewable energy from any source into the grid.
Why study Renewable Energy online with the University of Aberdeen?
Top 7 in the UK
We’re ranked 7th best university in the UK to study Civil Engineering by The Times Good University Guide 2020.
Led by industry
Your course content is developed and reviewed by an Industry Advisory Board, so your training is always cutting edge and industry-relevant.
At energy’s core
The UK base for the world’s energy giants, Aberdeen is a world-class energy city.
How will I study?
This short course is delivered online with a final exam, that you must sit in person. You can study with us anywhere in the world and manage your study hours to suit you. We’ll help you locate an exam centre in your area for your final exam.
This course is taught at Masters level by our team of internationally experienced engineers and academics.
Your course content is developed and reviewed by an Industry Advisory Board. This group of experienced professionals ensures your learning is always in line with the latest industry trends, technology and career opportunities.
Your training is delivered through MyAberdeen, our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Also available as an app, you can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and mobile device 24/7.
This course features a range of resources, including:
- videos of lectures
- reading materials
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library
Your course coordinator
Dr Ali Jamshidi Far
Ali is an IET Chartered Engineer and lecturer with strong analytical skills and hands-on experience in the implementation and testing of power/electrical systems. A member of our HVDC Research Centre, Ali has developed new models and controllers for renewable energy generators.
View Ali’s profileWhere will this take me?
Towards a Masters
You’ll earn 15 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) with this course. You can use these credits towards our:
Masters in Offshore Engineering (120 credits plus a 60-credit project), or a:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Offshore Engineering (60 credits)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Offshore Engineering (120 credits)
Masters in Renewable Energy Engineering (120 credits plus a 60-credit project), or a:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Renewable Energy Engineering (60 credits)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Renewable Energy Engineering (120 credits)
All are available to study part-time online or full-time on campus.
Build your learning
We have a range of online short courses you can use to build your skills.
Many carry credits you can build up into postgraduate qualifications, including Masters degrees:
Careers
This course will prepare you for professional and managerial roles in the renewable energy sector.
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.
Free careers advice
We’ll help you explore your career potential and connect with job opportunities around the world.
You can access our free careers service while you study.
From interview training to CV clinics, we’re here with tailored, impartial and professional advice.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is delivered at Masters level. At this level of teaching, you’d usually have at least:
- a 2:2 (second-class) degree in Engineering or the Physical Sciences
- or relevant experience that supports this level of training.
Apply for this course
