The energy transition from our traditional power generation towards renewable energy sources requires an increase in the operational flexibility of the energy network. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are intermittent or they have a fluctuating power level.
To guarantee sufficient and reliable energy supply, all the generators on the energy network need to be in balance with the consumers. That is, the energy supply needs to be matched to the energy demand at all times for the integrated gas, heat and electricity network.
Because of this, the requirements regarding the operational flexibility of traditional power generators become more demanding. In addition, new energy network concepts, such as dynamic demand control, transmission, conversion and storage need to be further developed.
Therefore we study in this programme the operational flexibility of advanced combined cycle power plants on the national scale, as well as new energy network technologies on a decentralized scale level, that will allow us to balance the energy network in the future.
Programme
The programme consists of two terms: Flexible Power Generation and Energy Transition.
In the first term, students will follow either an electrical or a mechanical engineering programme. In each programme, students will perform a project concerning Flexible Power Generation that is relevant for the power plant industry. The necessary knowledge will be given during courses that support the project, such as Power plant operation, Power plant design, Power grids and power electronics. These courses are mainly given by experts from the power plant industry (Electrabel, Nuon).
In the second term, students will follow a joined electrical and mechanical engineering programme, during which they perform a project concerning the Energy Transition. For this project, students participate in the applied research projects of the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in Energy (CARI-E). This centre performs research in order to study the balancing of the energy network. Relevant courses for the projects, such as Renewable energy, Energy network and Network control are given by researchers from CARI-E.