Renewable Energy Engineering

The energy sector is a fast-growing industry with enormous potential in the short and long term. From renewable energy generation to the efficient use of energy in engineering systems such as cars, the engineering industry will require engineers with expertise in the environmentally friendly generation, distribution and efficient use of energy. Solent’s renewable energy engineering course will equip you with key engineering skills and knowledge to start your career in this area.

Energy is now a very valuable resource. Shifts in world attitudes to the use of fossil fuels driven by global warming and climate change has meant a change in emphasis to renewable sources of energy. In conjunction, there is a far greater effort to measure the energy efficiency of systems, products and buildings to ensure that operational costs are minimised and both environmental and financial savings are maximised.

Clean power generation is only part of the challenge - the engineering industry is facing an additional challenge to maximise the efficient use of energy whilst reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Government strategy and climate change action have meant that energy is more valued than ever.

This course aims to provide well-trained graduates with the skills and knowledge to work towards addressing these issues. Using a mix of classroom and specialist laboratory facilities, this course will give you a strong grounding in science and engineering theory, with an emphasis on renewable power generation methods, environmental impact, and the efficient use of energy in engineering and technology.

The first year is shared with all of our engineering degrees, giving you the opportunity to develop sound underpinning science and engineering skills in mathematics, mechanics, electrics, manufacturing, CAD and design processes, and professional skills. The second and third years of the course enable you to explore concepts in renewable energy, distribution of energy, and the efficient use of energy in engineering systems. This is complemented by additional work on the lightweight structures used in renewable energy technology and vehicle technology.

Students have full access to our specialist engineering facilities, including a towing tank, composite materials laboratory and materials testing laboratory.

What does this course lead to?
Graduates will be well prepared for both STEM, general engineering and renewable engineering industries, and any branch of engineering which includes the efficient use of energy.

Who is this course for?
This course will suit those with a strong interest in engineering and environmental science, who wish to pursue a career in the fast-growing renewable energy sector.

YEAR 1 - CORE MODULES
Applied Mathematics
CAD and the Design Process
Mechanical Principles
Manufacturing Principles
Introduction to Electronics
Professional Engineering Skills

YEAR 2 - CORE MODULES
Applied Mathematics for Engineering
Automation and Control
Environment and Environmental Impact Assessment
Wind and Tidal Energy Systems
Solar and Wave Energy Systems
Competition and Contracts in Engineering

YEAR 3 - CORE MODULES
Power Storage and Distribution
Composite and Floating Structures
Eco-Vehicle Technology
Project

YEAR 3 - OPTIONS (Please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each academic year)
Business Strategy
Entrepreneurship

You will learn by:

Collaborative Learning
Directed Learning
Guided Learning

You may be assessed by a combination of:

Coursework
Practical exams
Written exams

Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.