Leadership in Offshore Renewable Energy Systems (Level 9, 10 ECTS)

This is a specialist Short Advanced Programme (SAP) that will enable industry professionals to engage and assess the opportunities, barriers and constraints related to Offshore Renewable Energy (Wind, Wave, & Tidal) in the Irish and European context.

The lecture series will include examination of the resource potential, necessary infrastructure development, national policies and strategies, and an awareness of the evolving landscape for offshore renewable energy. The range of technological advances in offshore electricity energy generation devices will be reviewed, including fixed and floating wind energy, near- and offshore-wave energy and tidal energy systems. Regulatory, environmental and carbon emissions aspects will be addressed, as well as relevant parameters; such as, the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE), capital expenditure (CapEX), and operational expenditure (OpEX). The suitability of the electrical grid and national infrastructure will be addressed, as well as developing digitalisation approaches to metrology, bathymetry, availability modelling and remote control and operation. Additionally, the future strategic direction of renewable energy, encompassing generation, storage, and power-to-X systems (e.g. Hydrogen), to meet European 2050 net-zero targets, will be discussed.

The content will be enriched with leading guest speakers from the Offshore Renewable Energy Industry, National and International Research Centres, and Social Innovators. The Learners will be supported by expert mentors from TUS, in order to engage deeper with the specific topics through breakout discussion, and through the completion of a relevant research investigation study into a relevant renewable energy technology or application.

The principal entry requirement for the postgraduate programme is a Level 8 honours degree, in a relevant engineering, computing, or technology discipline. Applicants from other Level 8 degree disciplines who have a minimum of five years of experiential learning related to the sector may also apply.

A knowledge of renewable energy generation and potential opportunities, risks, benefits and challenges in addressing Irish national energy and climate strategies would be beneficial.

Priority will be given to candidates employed in related industries – energy companies, consultancies, service/technology providers and/or equipment/component manufacturers.