As many people try to get to grips with exactly what the energy transition means in practice, a groundbreaking new university course could help improve understanding.

The University of Aberdeen this week launched the UK’s first postgraduate degree programme in energy transition systems and technologies.

The new Masters programme will educate a new generation of systems engineers and is available to study full-time on campus from September, depending on Covid-19, or part-time online.

Aberdeen University professor and programme director Russell McKenna said the city’s heritage and global reputation as the energy capital of Europe means that it is perfectly placed to be hosting the UK’s first such degree programme.

“This course was set up to fill a gap and meet a need. In recent years, non-hydrocarbon based energy has grown significantly in Aberdeen due its large talent pool of energy engineers and scientists, and the abundance of wind and ocean energy resources off the Aberdeenshire coast," McKenna said.

“The past 20 years has seen increased interest in more sustainable energy systems. The transition towards these systems has gathered momentum, aided by new technological innovations in areas such as wind and tidal energy, energy storage, carbon capture and storage, biofuels and hydrogen.

"Energy transition, however, continues to pose significant technological, commercial and political challenges for businesses and governments.”

Based in the School of Engineering, with contributions from the schools of geosciences, business and law, the new course will draw on much of the ground-breaking research being conducted within the University’s Centre for Energy Transition.

Energy Transition

Aberdeen University launches groundbreaking energy transition course