MSc Renewable Energy overview

1. An introduction to MSc:
Renewable Energy and the
Built Environment
MSc REBE January 2015
Dr. Arthur Butler
Centre for Alternative Technology

2. REBE
 A brief history of teaching and training at CAT
 What is the course trying to achieve?
 How do we do it?
 Who does it?
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3. CAT
 CAT first opened to the public in 1975
 Has always worked in the wider environmental and
social spheres
 Principally CAT has been about practical action
Specialities are
 Low energy and sustainable buildings
 Application of renewable energy systems
 Water and sewage treatment
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4. MSc REBE Programme
 Theoretical and practical study in RE systems, the
built environment and wider environmental context
 Skills sought after in professional practice
 Validated for full MSc status by the University of
East London (UEL)
 Accredited by the Energy Institute (can be used
as evidence towards CEng professional status)
 First cohort enrolled Sep 2007
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5. (Department of Energy and Climate Change, 2012) 5

6. REBE-reasons to study
 Advance individual careers
 Add a theoretical background to an existing practical
skills set
 Add a practical background to a theoretical bias
 Skill up students to be able to work in the renewable
energy and building services industries
 Undertake useful research which is applicable to the
needs of the industry and society.
 Some lectures from external academic & industry
specialists-develop good network from immersive
learning
 Visit examples of building techniques and renewables
onsite & in local area
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7. REBE
 Uses a systems approach
 Is presented as a mixture of lectures, practicals
seminars and tutorials.
 Two forms of module:
 Combined topic modules blend study of 2 related
topics using traditional lecture based learning with
smaller practicals to reinforce the theoretical results.
 Single topic modules add extra depth or for some an
additional practical base:- building, monitoring and
analysing systems
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8. REBE
2014/2015
 Study the core
module &
choose 3 others
 (>1 Single Topic
Module)
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9. REBE Typical programme
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10. Module Outputs
Combined topic module
Essay, report, presentation
Single topic module
Group presentation, individual report
Dissertation
During the first 3 modules the student agrees a
dissertation subject with the REBE academic staff.
After completing the 4 modules required the student
undertakes their own research producing a dissertation
over a 6 month supervised dissertation module
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11. The staff
 Library services etc via UEL
 Student support officer provides day to day support
on non academic issues
 Head of quality and support
 Heads of education
 Programme leaders
 Tutors & lecturers
 External lecturers
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12. The academic staff on REBE
Staff have a variety of backgrounds and specialisms
including:
Engineering
Renewable energy consultancy
Teaching qualifications/experience
Building physics/energy efficiency
Physics
Practical renewable energy
design/specification/maintenance experience
PhD level research
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13. Final Destinations
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14. MSc REBE: Key Strengths
 Broad range of students in age and backgrounds
(need degree level scientific and mathematical skills)
 Staff include consultants and specialists
 Leading professionals from industry to lecture and
lead practical activities in specialist areas
 Existing students praise the standard and
combination of theoretical and practical activities
 Unique learning environment
 Detailed feedback and support
 Novel and cutting edge dissertation research
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15. Questions?
MSc REBE January 2015
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Centre for Alternative Technology

16. References
Department of Energy and Climate Change (2012) Renewables Investment and Jobs Announced 1st
April 2011 – 17th Jan 2012 Available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-
demand/renewable-energy/3994-renewables-investment-and-jobs-announced-1-april-t.pdf (Accessed:
17th March 2012).
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