Postgraduate Programme in Renewable Energy

Feedback on the programme, or suggestions for its development, can be e-mailed to Prof Alan Brent.

Programme purpose

The government has set an aspirational goal of a just transition to a net zero carbon economy by 2050; through the recently enforced Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act. Industry and government have subsequently indicated that a vast number of additional skills and capacity will be required to enable the transition across the various sectors of the economy, with energy being the key focus area. In response, Victoria University of Wellington aims to introduce a new postgraduate programme that is focussed on Renewable Energy with the following qualifications: Master of Renewable Energy (MRE) (180pts), and a Master of Science (MSc) (240 pts), a BSc(Hons), a PGDipSc, and a PGCertSc, all focussed on Renewable Energy.

Programme overview

The new postgraduate programme will primarily revolve around a 180-points Masters of Renewable Energy degree, offered over three trimesters, with two parts and with two specialisation streams for enrolment, namely: Renewable Energy Systems Engineering (i.e. a technical stream), and Renewable Energy Systems Analysis (i.e. a non-technical stream). Other degree options are listed below.

Part 1 consists of 8 courses/120 points over the first two trimesters, comprising of two compulsory courses in T1 and T2 related to research methods, two electives – one in T1 and one in T2 – from a choice of four that are stream-oriented (see below), and four further courses, from the RESE courses on the degree schedule, or from relevant courses offered in the honours and masters programmes in engineering, environmental sciences, environmental studies, and climate change science and policy.

Part 2 comprises of a 60-point research project or an internship/industry project, at 500-level, with completion of Part 1 as prerequisite.

Students that have no renewable energy background may be required to take the RESE 423 course (see course descriptions below).

Students will gain a specialisation in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering by including RESE 405, 411, 412, and one of (421, 422, 431, 432).
Students will gain a specialisation in Renewable Energy Systems Analysis by including RESE 421, 422, and one of (RESE 423, 431, 432).

Students with postgraduate level study in relevant courses may be exempted up to 60 points from the optional courses of Part 1. This would allow a 120-points Masters over two trimesters for suitably qualified students.

An MSc option would consist of the same Part 1 as the taught Masters, but would be followed by a 120 point thesis.

A BSc (Hons) option would consist of six courses from the taught masters (the core, electives, and two further courses) and a 30 point research project.

A PGDipSc option would consist of just part 1 of the taught masters.

A PGCertSc option would consist of the two core courses and the two elective courses.

Courses overview

RESE 405: Power Electronics and Electrical Machines.

RESE 411: Power Systems Analysis.

RESE 412: Advanced Development of Renewable Energy Systems.

RESE 421: Energy Economic Analyses.

RESE 422: Sustainability Modelling Techniques.

RESE 423: Case Studies of Renewable Energy Systems.

RESE 431: Renewable Energy Systems Generation.

RESE 432: Renewable Energy Storage and Conversion.

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Further information on the details of theses courses can be provided on request.