The University
EUREC selected Hanze UAS to be the first University of Applied Sciences to offer the Master in Renewable Energy, because of its application oriented research and good facilities in the field of energy. Hanze UAS is located in the north of the Netherlands, and has extensive professional and academic networks both national and international. The north of the Netherlands has sublime experience in energy, offers much expertise on energy transition, and has good opportunities for sustainable fuels. Hanze UAS is situated in the centre of this energy valley. The specialisation is linked to the Energy Transition Centre (EnTranCe), and to the New Energy Coalition, where top education, top research and business come together.
Practical Information
The specialisation semester is designed such that students will acquire a systemic view on sustainable fuel supply chains, i.e. students will not only learn about fuel production technologies and the physics on which these are based, but will also learn how technologies contribute to energy systems, including energy storage. If you want to contribute to a more sustainable transport sector this will be the right specialisation: from science to practice.
This approach is effectuated in the following modules:
- Physics and Fuels. In this module we focus on thermodynamics, properties of fuels, and transport and storage processes, g. liquefaction, compression.
- Bio-energy Conversion. This module gives a broad understanding of the various biochemical and thermochemical conversion processes involved in the conversion of biomass into biofuels. The making of renewable fuels (biofuels) is addressed, g. biomethane, bioethanol, biohydrogen, biodiesel. Basic biochemistry, gasification, pyrolysis are examples of processes discussed. The module includes modelling, lab work, and reactor design. This module is executed in cooperation with the Dutch research centre ECN-TNO.
- Power-to-Hydrogen. Students will learn principles and operation of electrolysers and fuel cells. Basic electrochemistry, electrolyser types, and parameters which influence the operation of electrolysers and fuel cells are covered. The technology is compared to electrochemical storage (batteries).
- Sustainable Fuel System Design. In this module students learn to develop a systemic vision on technologies in energy systems and learn how to build a techno-economic-environmental model and a linear programming (LP) model in MATLAB. Sustainability, supply chain energy efficiencies, and greenhouse gas emission saving are key topics addressed.
- New Business Development. In this module the business opportunities of biofuels and hydrogen are investigated. You will learn an analytical way of thinking about introducing of new technologies and products into the market and pitch you plan to stakeholders.
The modules are supported by several excursions to innovative projects/companies, e.g. Audi E-gas in Werlte (Germany). More detailed module descriptions can be found in the syllabus.
Energy Certificate: students are offered the possibility to gain an Energy Certificate by attending learning activities at the Energy Academy in Groningen.
The graduated student can be employed at companies over the entire fuel chain, not only in R&D related work, but also in application related work, as an entrepreneur or as a high-level employee. Organisations that benefit from this EUREC specialisation and thus may act as future employers are:
- Energy companies, chemical and petrochemical companies, equipment manufacturers
- Consultancy companies, waste/biomass supply and trading companies, catalyst suppliers and institutes specialised in R&D related to these companies
- Governments and advising bodies, dealing with regulatory affairs, policy making and proposal evaluation here.
EnTranCe, the centre of expertise energy of Hanze UAS, is focussed on research and innovation concerning the energy transition and bringing results to the market. Our applied research projects are executed within seven professorships, bringing discoveries into development. Research topics are:
- Co-generation appliances (balancing with gas)
- Conversion options with hydrogen
- Balancing with biogas and hydrogen
- Energy storage
- Balancing at residence level and at neighbourhood level
- Heating homes with hydrogen
- Lowering production costs of green hydrogen
- Development of hydrogen fuelling stations
- Smart appliances, demand side management
- Smart electricity grids
These topics often have interdisciplinary crossovers with economy, social sciences, law and communication. Some major projects running recently can be found on www.en-tran-ce.org/en/.
As a prospective international student you are on the doorstep of a great adventure: studying and living in the Netherlands. Although this is an amazing experience, it can be quite difficult finding your way through the rules and regulations, from applying for a study programme until your journey to the Netherlands. The International Service Desk (ISD) will assist you from start to finish. They can help you with practical matters, such as obtaining a visa and getting the right health insurance.
WARNING: non-EU applicants must follow the requirements of the International Service Desk for visa procedures. Hanze UAS has to prove to the IND that you can pay the tuition fee and that you have sufficient funds to live off before an immigration procedure is started. In order to prove this we ask our future students to transfer both the living costs as well as the tuition fee. Please find more information about the financial guarantee on this website.
T: 0031 50 595 4567
E: masteremre@org.hanze.nl