Advanced BioFuels USA

Table of Contents

Introduction

Programs

• United States
• Africa
  • South Africa
• Asia/Pacific Rim
  • China
  • India
• Australia
• Canada
  • Ontario
• South/Central America
• Europe
  • Germany, France and the UK
  • Belgium
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Germany
  • Iceland
  • Poland
  • UK
• Middle East

Introduction

While educational institutions are becoming much more focused on offering alternative energy and renewable energy curriculums; actual degrees, majors, minors or concentrations in these disciplines are still few and far between. However, if you have an interest in specializing in the emerging biomass and biofuel industries, there are many options available to you in higher education, depending on what type of work and academic experience you are seeking.

Some Community Colleges offer various associates degrees and certificate programs, which essentially prepare the graduate for work in renewable energy production and management. Graduates from these programs can expect to find employment as system installation and maintenance technicians, lab technicians and other entry level positions. Some of these programs also prepare the student to move to a 4 year college to obtain a bachelors degree.

In terms of 4 year, masters and doctorate programs, renewable energy focus can be approached from various academic angles. Almost all of these programs are interdisciplinary. Departments and colleges within Universities which typically have a focus in the biofuels and biomass disciplines include Chemical and Agricultural Engineering, Biosciences, Environmental Sustainability and Resource Use, Forestry and Land Resource Management, Energy Production, Sustainability and Engineering programs.

Online courses are posted in a subcategory of the Education category.  Click here for a list.

United States (by State)

Identifies Land Grant schools, Sun Grant programs and includes online study programs. Click here

Africa

South Africa

Stellenbosch University MS, PhD  in Renewable Energy   Stellenbosch University offers a post graduate degree program on the master’s and doctoral level in Renewable and Sustainable Energy. This program is available to students from diverse backgrounds  holding  bachelors or honors degrees in Engineering, AgriScience, Natural Science, Management and Economics. Stellenbosch University also  offer a Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies under the Department of Mechanical & Mechatroninc Engineering READ MORE.

Sample courses include:

• Bio-Energy This course focuses on the technical issues, economic feasibility and sustainability of bio-energy production in the African context. The aim of the course is in the integration of technical, economic and sustainability considerations of  project development to find practical, innovative, sustainable solutions for bio-energy production. The course will involve the development of a conceptual understanding of the conversion technologies for bio-energy and biofuels production, including biodiesel, biogas, ethanol, combustion, pyrolysis, gasification and electricity generation.
• Sustainable Biomass Production This course provides an understanding of sustainable biomass production systems including agricultural, forestry, agroforestry and aquatic systems. Students will learn to assess the potential and limitations for energy from biomass. Students will gain the understanding of basic principles of sustainable biomass production as an integrated part of energy supply.

View Course Modules and read more about research topics. View contact information for renewable and sustainable energy studies.

Asia/Pacific Rim

China

Biofuel Research Center at City University of Hong Kong The Biofuel Research Centre will be the first of its kind in Hong Kong and will be a key component of City Univerity of Hong Kong’s new School of Energy and Environment to address both the rising global demand for sustainable and non-fossil-based fuels and Hong Kong’s urgent need to develop sustainable solutions to accommodate the ever-increasing volume of waste matter.The newly established School of Energy and Environment of CityU, aspires to be a leading school in the Asia-Pacific region specialising in professional education and cutting-edge research in energy and environment, with focus on renewable energies, energy storage, energy efficiency and conservation, climate change and air pollution.

Edinburgh Napier University will initially work with CityU’s School of Energy and Environment in acquiring the necessary equipment and recruiting academic and research personnel for the Centre. Collaboration between the two universities will then be extended to the development and application of joint research projects, student and faculty exchange programmes and joint partnerships with private industries in Hong Kong and Mainland China. READ MORE

India

PRAJ Alcohol Technology and Plant Design is constantly evolving. Practices world over vary according to the regions, but the basic science remains the same. It is important to create a platform to share and enhance the knowledge base in keeping with the times. Also, some of our customers have shared from time-to-time that they would like to have structured inputs that will resolve their queries on worldwide practices as well as keep them in line with the developments.

With its experience of designing and installing ethanol plants across 5 continents, Praj has designed a programme which will help you do just that. Moreover, we will give you a glimpse of the future wherein you will get a feel of second and third generation technologies. So be future ready and join the PRAJ Alcohol School for MASTERCLASS ON FERMENTATION.

Praj has arranged series of Training Programs on Alcohol Technologies & Systems covering Fermentation, Distillation and Wastewater Treatment including Evaporation with Zero discharge plants.

The programs are designed to be interactive programs and are meant specifically for “Plant operating personnel” i.e. the Distillery Managers, Plant Chemists, Shift Supervisor, Alcohol Technologist, Process Chemical Engineers etc.

A special interactive session on “De-Risking Business Model’ will be organized for senior management. The dates for this special session will be announced shortly.

The training programs will share Praj’s vast experiences in design and supply of plants for different grades of ethanol. The objective is to provide latest, up-dated, information based on real time situations so as to make it applicable for performance improvements at your plants. The program will also impart information on analytical procedures, hands-on-approach for better process monitoring & trouble shooting.

The first training program of the Praj Alcohol School is on Advanced Fermentation Technology. The Program, to be held from February 25th -27th, 2010 is specially designed for Distillery Managers, Plant Chemists, Shift Supervisors, Alcohol Technologists, Process Chemical Engineers etc. Upon completion of the program participants will be awarded Praj Alcohol School 2010 certificates. READ MORE

The PK Sinha Center for Bioenergy at Indian Institute of Technology aspires to be the nation’s leading ce nter for Bioenergy research – comprises of faculty and scientists from IIT-Kharagpur’s existing departments such as Agriculture & Food Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Geology & Geophysics, Intellectual Property Law School, Mechanical Engineering and Physics. The center fits into the new Department of Energy Engineering to be set up shortly at IIT-Kharagpur, which will have several verticals in conventional and non-conventional energy, with Bioenergy being one of them. Established in 1951, IIT-Kharagpur is the first and the largest IIT, with 19 academic departments, 11 academic centers and schools, and 16 R&D cells for interdisciplinary research. IIT-Kharagpur is the only IIT that has unique capabilities in agricultural engineering, biotechnology, plant genetics, geology, chemical engineering, medical science & technology, entrepreneurship, and IP Law, and has access to land for plantings experimentation – big assets for bioenergy research. The center’s faculty members are currently working in the areas of Bio-ethanol, Bio-diesel, Bio-hydrogen, Algal and Microbial Biofuels and genetic prospecting of energy crops.  READ MORE

Australia

University of Sydney’s Darlington Campus Australia NCRIS Biofuels Research Pilot Plant

Hydrothermal Biofuels Research Pilot Plant Opens in Sydney

The Commonwealth Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Program was officially opened on Friday 9 September 2010. Located at the University of Sydney’s Darlington Campus.

The NCRIS Biofuels Research Pilot Plant is the first semi-automated, continuous-flow kilo-scale research facility of its kind in Australia. The plant will look at how biomass – particularly woody plant matter – can be used to produce chemicals used in the likes of food, fragrances and plastics and fuels more efficiently. The plant will experiment with the variables of production, with the aim of finding an economical processing method.

The plant will be operated jointly by Professor Brian Haynes’ research group within the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and researchers from the School of Chemistry, led by Professor Thomas Maschmeyer.

For more information, please refer to NCRIS Hydrothermal Biofuels Research Pilot Plant.

Contact Nicole Bleasdale, NCRIS Program Manager via phone a +61 3 98281416 or via email: nbleasdale@ausbiotech.org for more information.

Canada

Ontario

Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre Opens at University of Guelph The University of Guelph officially opened the Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre researchers will use agricultural products, turning soy, wheat, corn and other crops into everything from car parts and furniture to fuel. “This discovery centre is a nexus where physical and engineering scientists and plant biologists will work together on viable solutions to some of today’s most pressing problems,” said president Alastair Summerlee. READ MORE

Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre is part of the Department of Plant Agriculture. The centre will produce greener bioproducts to substitute non-renewable materials in many manufacturing sectors, consumer goods and services.  Lab equipment at the centre converts plant material into components in the manufacturing process, whereby residues and waste biomass from soy, corn and wheat have become plastics to make bumpers, seats, dashboards and other automotive parts READ MORE

The Bioproducts Discovery & Development Centre (BDDC) facilities consist of labs and greenhouse in the BDDC building and the Crop Science Building in the Department of Crop Science. The greenhouse and growth facilities are those of the Crop Science Growth Facilities of which the BDDC is in close proximity to. The BDDC building which is located on the south end of the Crop Science Building has a loading dock facility, material handling area and equipment processing lab area.

The most important component of the area is the equipment processing lab which houses everything from Processing Equipment, Chemical Anaylsis Equipment, to Material Testing Equipment. Below are some of our equipment with a brief overview of what the equipment or process tests or accomplishes Read More

B.Sc Undergraduate Programs offers students an integrated approach to learning in the rapidly expanding world of organic agriculture. Courses encompass environmental health, and rural community sustainability. The program allow students to explore the intricacies of plant diversity, growth and development, plant-environment interactions, advances in molecular biology, and the wide variety of economic uses for plants. Read more about the Undergraduate Students

M.Sc Graduate Programs and PhD Post Doctoral Fellows & Researchers support for research is obtained from a variety of sources including Federal, Provincial, International, industrial and grower sponsors. The program offers Graduate Research Assistantships and Graduate Teaching Assistantships with An annual stipend of $17,500.  Read more about the Graduate Students.

Read sample projects and research.  Contact Dr. Amar Mohanty Professor, Premier’s Research Chair in Biomaterials & Transportation Director, Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre for more information.

South/Central America

Brazil

The Ph.D. Program in Bioenergy is a result of the cooperation agreement between three São Paulo state universities: University of São Paulo (USP), University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and São Paulo State University (UNESP). It is a program of institutional graduate studies focused on the generation of knowledge and is intended for the training of human resources of international excellence. Doctors trained under the program will be able to face international challenges regarding the replacement of fossil fuels by those biomass-originated in both the production and the consumption of these fuels. They will be able to lead research projects in the area of Bioenergy in higher education institutions, to produce technological advances in industries essential to the development of the country, to formulate public policies for the growth of bioenergy in the Brazilian energy matrix and actively participate in the process of international integration of the country in global energy issues.

The program will have part of its classes taught in English and will use a videoconferencing system to connect students and teachers located in different cities.

In each of the participating institutions, there will be a local coordination based on one of its units, which will receive most of the courses, as follows:

• At USP, the unit responsible for the program will be the Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ), located in the city of Piracicaba (SP);
• At UNICAMP, the unit responsible for the program will be the Faculty of Food Engineering (FEA), located in the city of Campinas (SP);
• At UNESP, the unit responsible for the program will be the Bioenergy Research Institute, located in the city of Rio Claro (SP). READ MORE

Costa Rica

The EartH2O program offers 12-day short-term intensive study abroad programs in the areas of Sustainable Energy + Water Sustainability, and they are currently seeking more students in the fields of engineering, environmental policy, business, and entrepreneurship for their Summer, Fall and Winter Break programs.

The programs offer access to Costa Rica’s billions of dollars in commercial-scale sustainable infrastructure, and undergrad students can earn up to 4 transferable credits by participating.

• Discount code: HIGHERED1516 for $100 off the program fee (valid through May 2016)
• $500 Scholarships are also available. Application here.

Flyers and more details can be found in our press kit here.

Europe

Germany, France, Spain and the UK

The European Masters in Renewable Energy coordinated by the European Renewable Energy Centers Agency allows students to study in one of 4 different European countries and then perform field work in another area of Europe.

The European Master in Renewable Energy is an initiative proposed and developed by the European Renewable Energy Research Centers EUREC Agency. The agency was established as a European Economic Interest Grouping in 1991 to strengthen the European efforts in renewable energy technologies.

The aim of the European Master in Renewable Energy is to train post-graduate students to fill the gap between the growing industry demand for specialized renewable energy expertise and the skills currently available on the job market.

Structure The course is divided into three sections. In the first semester, the students acquire a solid foundation in key renewable energy technologies. In the second semester, they specialize in a chosen technology at a different university and at the end of the course, the students complete a practical or research project.

The program run on a modular basis with credits awarded for passing each section and the successful completion of the project. A total of 90 ECTS credits (30 for each section of the course) are required to obtain the European Master degree.

Delivery The course is delivered by experts from the participating universities and where appropriate, from other industrial, research and educational institutions. The taught material includes lectures, tutorials and laboratories.

View Partnering universities Please contact Paola Mazzucchelli via phone at +32 2 546 19 31 for further information.

Belgium

Bio Base Europe Bio Base Europe, the Biopark Terneuzen and Ghent Bio-Energy Valley joint initiative launched in April 2009.  The Bio Base Europe initiative will be the first of its kind to include both a Pilot Plant and a Training Centre dedicated to bio-based industry and aims to support and accelerate the development of a sustainable bio-based economy in Europe. It is the largest Interreg project ever granted to the Dutch-Flemish border region and is set to transform the region into the main bio-economy gateway in Europe.

The Bio Base Europe Training Center is set to open in  2011. The center is a result of a joint initiative by organizations; Bio Base Europe, The Biopark Terneuzen and Ghent Bio-Energy Valley. The center will house facilities and expertise to provide education and training becoming Europe’s leading knowledge centre in the bio-based industry. It will also focus on promoting and enhancing public awareness of bio-based technology and its contribution to society. The Centre is co-funded by Interreg IV (the European Union interregional development program), the Flemish (BE) government, the Dutch government and Terneuzen local authorities. The Centre will function as a networking and knowledge-sharing centre for the bio-industry, linking companies, technicians, entrepreneurs and research institutes.

Training and education will be at the heart of the new centre’s activities with plans to run standard and custom-tailored multi-language courses in English, French, Dutch and German. Courses will be designed to complement existing courses offered in schools and technical colleges, but will provide added depth and focus and ultimately aims to address the current industry-wide shortage of qualified bio-based process operators and technical maintenance specialists. Participants for the training course will include people currently working in the bio-based industry, students from the surrounding region looking to supplement their education with a bio-focused specialization and also trainers and teachers from secondary and vocational technical schools. The facility will include an extensive array of testing and production apparatus for bio-fuel and renewable energy production including bio diesel, bio ethanol, bio gas, wind turbines, photovoltaic cells and heat exchange pumps offering students expanded possibilities to train more extensively with operating equipment. READ MORE

The Bio Base Europe Training Center is unique in three ways:

• The  first to include both a Pilot Plant and a Training Centre dedicated to the bio-based industry.
• The largest project granted to the Dutch-Flemish border region.
• The  first to support and accelerate the development of a sustainable bio-based economy in Europe.

Students and Faculty:  Participants for training course include professionals from the bio-based industry, students looking to supplement their education with a bio-focused specialization and trainers/ teachers from secondary and vocational technical schools. It will include 3 full time staff and 12 part-time professional staff from partnering second and third level educational institutions.  Courses will be translated in English, French, Dutch and German.

Testing and Production:  The Bio-Focused Training Center will provide extensive array of testing and production for bio-fuel and renewable energy production including bio diesel, bio ethanol, bio gas, wind turbines, photovoltaic cells and heat exchange pumps READ MORE.

For more information, please contact Nathalie Chaimbault via phone: +31 164 317 021 or via email: nchaimbault@emg.nl.

Denmark

Technical University of Denmark MSc in Engineering, Sustainable Energy-Biofuels Technical University of Denmark offers a Master of Science in Engineering, Sustainable Energy.  The program is at the cutting edge in Europe when it comes to research in sustainable energy and offers the unique possibility of a high-level education.   The aim of DTU’s MSc program in Sustainable Energy is to educate experts in various energy technologies and energy systems with the focus on sustainability.

The education is offered by Riso DTU in cooperation with a number of institutes at DTU Lyngby.  The  MSc program has three courses requirement in 45003Energy resources, markets and policies, 45002 Modeling and analysis of sustainable energy systems, and 45500Sustainability assessment of energy conversion and use.

Subject concentrations areas include:

• Thermal energy
• Biofuels
• Electric energy systems
• Hydrogen and fuel cells
• Energy savings

Master of Science in Engineering Sustainable Energy study in biofuels allows students to gain competencies in a variety of fields such as enzymatic hydrolysis of raw materials and fermentation technologies. READ MORE about the Biofuels program of study.  Please contact Peter Meibom Senior Scientist Intelligent Energy Systems Program (IES) via phone at +45-4677-5119 or via email at peme@risoe.dtu.dk for more information.

Finland

The University of Jyvaskyla Master’s Degrees in Renewable Energy  The University of Jyvaskyla Master’s degree program in Renewable Energy is part of the Department of Chemistry.  The program provides education in the renewable and distributed energy production in order to promote the utilization of sustainable energy sources. The Research Program in Renewable Energy focuses on the development of distributed energy technologies and uses demonstration projects for promoting public awareness of renewable energy READ MORE.

There are three mains program concentrations:

• Technology  which includes applied physics and chemistry
• Sustainable Bioenergy  which includes environmental science and technology
• Sosio-economics which includes corporate environmental management and social sciences

Sample courses.

YMPS467 Basics in thermic conversion techniques of biomass This course includes problem prediction and determination in biomass combustion and solution concepts including the analysis of each concepts. The course covers fuel handling, feeding, ash melting, fouling, risky deposits corrosion of heat exchange surfaces, and toxic emissions. Students will understand the problems in the utilization of biomass into energy production, and the solution concepts.

YMPS391 The Production and Utilisation of Biofuels This course introduces students to Biomass resources and their present use as raw material, food and energy. The Course offers an assignment that helps students to understand the sufficiency of biomass resources in relation to the other energy sources, and different environmental effects in relation to the other energy sources.  Topics in this course includes forest biomass, agrobiomass and peat production chains and technology. Storage, Biomass-to-energy conversion (small scale use, heat production, CHP, gasification and condense power). Energy products and technologies under development. Production efficiency. Emissions from different production methods as well as health and environmental impacts. Maintenance support performance and the comparison of Biofuels and fossil fuels.

YMPS466 Biotechnical Energy Production     Course discussion topics include Biofuels from Biomass, pretreatment of biomass for Biofuel production, Enzymatic Hydrolysis and fermentation of Bioimass and Bioethanol production, Biodiesel production from Macro algae and Biorefinery for production of multiple biofuels.

Click here to view curriculum. Please contact the Department of Chemistry via phone at +358 14 260 2213.

Aalto University in Espoo offers a master’s degree program in Environomical Pathways for Sustainable Energy Systems (SELECT) (Erasmus Mundus).

The program offers advanced education in the field of sustainable energy systems for the future. SELECT aims at delivering education for high competency and quality engineering skills in the field, including industrial interaction throughout the programme.

The SELECT Masters programme starts from the concept basic renewable energy sources (sun, geothermal and moon driven tides) to establish the environomical pathways towards a future sustainable energy system. The SELECT curriculum emphasises the thermodynamic tools of energy and thermoeconomic analysis for training the future energy engineers in advanced well-to-wheel analysis. Sustainability analysis and problem solving, as well as effective knowledge-driven decision making in complex energy systems, are integrated in the curriculum.

Through an introductory two term curricula at KTH, TU/e or (from Autumn 2012) at UPC, the concepts of renewable energy, sustainable power generation and environomical pathways are introduced. High-level training in project work and interactive seminars are used for enhanced learning processes. For term three, the students select a focus area to be studied at one other university: e.g., biomass, solar, polygeneration, and fuel cells. In the fourth (final) term the students can perform the MSc thesis in an industrial setting in common supervision with researchers from any of the participating universities.

SELECT is powered by scholarships opportunities from Erasmus Mundus, as well as the EIT KIC InnoEnergy. Students from all over the world are welcome to apply.  More information: http://www.exploreselect.eu/and http://www.aalto.fi/fi/studies/education/programme/select_master/

Aalto University provides also a Nordic Master Programme in Innovative and Sustainable Energy Engineering.

The focus of the programme is to provide a state-of-the-art education in the fields of conventional and renewable energy sources like conventional and new power generation, solar energy, biomass energy, wind power, geothermal power, and energy utilization in the built environment by means of economically and environmentally sustainable systems and technologies. The programme is structured inPre-defined study and mobility tracks with competence profiles. Each consortium member university; KTH, Sweden, Chalmers, Sweden, NTNU, Norway, DTU, Denmark, Aalto, Finland, Uol, Iceland has the lead responsibility for one track.

Bio energy track at AaltoUniversity for second year includes two modules: Power Generation from Biomass and Bioenergy in Transport. The Power Generation from Biomass module focuses on sustainable production of power from biomass which includes all aspects related to bio-boilers principles, planning, structure and operation. The Bio energy in Transport module focuses on the use and usability and combustion of bio-derived fuels in transport.

Sample courses:

KE-40.4120 Introduction to Biorefineries and Biofuels Energy outlook and legislation concerning the biofuels. Raw materials for biofuels. Processes related to biofuels. Most common biofuels used in transportation and stationary energy production. Properties of biofuels and their applications and comparison with the conventional fuels. Various biorefinery concepts.

Ene-47.4114 Waste to Energy   Definition of waste, option for waste treatment and recycling, incineration, landfill, waste to energy processes: pyrolysis, gasification, combustion processes, other treatment technologies: composting and anaerobic digestion.

Kul-14.4700 Transport Biofuels, Combustion and Emission Control Different fuels for internal combustion engines, fuel injection system configuration and operation fundamentals, basics of fuel injection and sprays, Otto and Diesel combustion, engine emissions and emission reduction.

More information: http://www.aalto.fi/fi/studies/education/programme/innovative_sustainable_energy_engineering_master/

Germany

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology , Germany The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is one of Europe’s leading energy research establishments: The KIT Energy Center pools fundamental research with applied research into all relevant energy sources for industry, households, services, and mobility. Holistic assessment of the energy cycle also covers conversion processes and energy efficiency. The KIT Energy Center links competences in engineering and science with know-how in economics, the humanities, and social science as well as law. The activities of the KIT Energy Center are organized in seven topics: Energy conversion, renewable energies, energy storage and distribution, efficient energy use, fusion technology, nuclear power and safety, and energy systems analysis. READ MORE

Iceland

RES, Akureyri Iceland M.Bc.  Biofuels & Bioenergy Program, RES Executive School, RES Summer School

RES´s main academic objectives and goals are to offer excellent educational programs in renewable energy science and technology plus strengthen the future cooperation between leading Icelandic and international academic and research institutions in the utilization of renewable energy.  RES | the School for Renewable Energy Science was established in the spring of 2006. RES started its M.Sc. Degree Program in February 2008.

RES – The School for Renewable Energy Science The M.Sc. Program is an intensive one-year program of study that carries 90 ECTS credits. The instruction and correspondence is conducted in English. The years are divided into three trimesters each and carry 30 ECTS credits. The M.Sc. courses are in the form of condensed teaching modules of 1-3 week durations. Students attend lectures for up to 4 hours each day, in addition to daily lab/computer exercises and demonstrations in the utilization of renewable energy.

The M.Sc. Degree Program in Renewable Energy Science is built on Iceland’s expertise in renewable energy technologies and the country’s impressive utilization of renewable energy as 82% of Iceland’s primary energy is currently coming from indigenous renewable energy sources, highest of any country. Minimum admission requirement for our M.Sc. Degree Program is a B.Sc. degree with top grades in engineering or physical/natural sciences READ MORE.

Biofuels & Bioenergy Program

View Biofuels & Bioenergy Program Overview

The Executive School begins summer of 2011 and offers a number of 1-3 day individual courses/seminars on alternative energy options and strategies for executives and managers of international energy companies, environmental organizations, financial institutions, and governmental organizations.

The short courses will highlight the latest information on available alternative energy technologies and future R&D scenarios. This includes biofuel production and use of energy carriers. READ MORE.

RES Summer School offer programs that present new challenges and insights into the world of renewable energy technologies and policies.  The Summer Program provides students from around the world the opportunity to undergo intensive coursework and gain experience through field excursions. The Summer School Program focuses on renewable energy science and technologies, particularly geothermal power, hydroelectric power, hydrogen fuel and other alternative fuel sources. READ MORE.

p>University of Iceland M.Sc. or an M.A. degree in Environment and Natural Resources

University of Iceland Environment and Natural Resources Studies offers a two year (four semesters) master’s program in Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Iceland is ideal for those who have finished B.Sc. or B.A. degrees, and want to concentrate on issues such as sustainable energy systems and policy, energy and the environment, environmental science and policy, environmental management and natural resources management such as fisheries and wilderness management. Students complete 120 ECTS and graduate with an M.Sc. or an M.A. degree in Environment and Natural Resources. READ MORE.

The masters program is designed to meet the needs of the society for increased levels of environmental research which is necessary for the successful tackling of environmental problems and the planning of sustainable resource use. The overall goal is to assemble and disseminate cross-disciplinary knowledge in the fields of environmental science and natural resource management. Such knowledge will:

• Lead to better analysis and understanding of the causes and consequences of the major environmental problems of our time, which is a prerequisite for identifying appropriate solutions.
• Contribute to a sustainable use of natural resources, taking nature, economy and social issues into account.

Research opportunities

Research topics could include:

• Sustainable energy systems
• Landscape classification
• Hydrogen economy
• Biodiversity
• Biofuels
• Air pollution and health
• Low carbon fuels for transportation
• Climate change policies
• Environmental management systems
• Water pollution
• Environment impact assessment
• Waste management
• Corporate sustainability
• Ecolabels
• Sustainability indicators
• Ecotourism and protected areas

View Brochure in English (pdf)

Please contact program supervisor, Brynhildur Davíðsdóttir, via phone at Phone: +354 525 5233 for more information.

University of Akureyri, Iceland B.Sc, M.Sc. Natural Resource Sciences

The University of Akureyri, prepares students for a wide range of opportunities in both the private and the public sectors. Basic studies in natural resource science consist of a three year program amounting to a total of 180 or 60 ECTS units annually. The program concludes with a B.Sc. degree examination in one of the following disciplines: biotechnology, fisheries science or environmental and energy sciences.

The academic year is divided into two semesters, each of which concludes with an examination. In the final year the student prepares 12 ECTS units final assignment, alongside 48 ECTS units gained in courses.

Graduate Studies The M.Sc. degree in Natural Resource Sciences On completion of B.Sc. studies, an international, research related master´s degree program in natural resource sciences is offered. The master´s degree study comprises five fields of study; environmental, energy, biotechnology, fisheries and aquaculture studies.  It is a two year program, amounting to 120 ECTS, international and research related master´s degree studies, where 60 – 90 ECTS constitute the master´s degree project and 30-60 ECTS represent courses.

Requisite courses are taken in part at the School of Business and Science and partly at other universities in Iceland and abroad. Primary emphasis is placed on the master´s degree project and the acquisition by students of scientific methodology. READ MORE.

Please contact the University of Akureyri via phone at +354 460 8000 or via email at international@unak.is for more information about their program.

Poland

AGH-UST University of Science and Technology, Portland  Renewable Energy

The AGH-UST University of Science and Technology provide courses in renewable energy. AGH-UST is a leading Polish university in the field of modern technologies. Recognising and utilising energy resources is one of the main research areas at AGH-UST. The Department of Heat Engineering and Environmental Protection provides research in renewable resource of energy. READ MORE

Sample Course Thermal conversion of biomass and organic wastes towards hydrocarbon fuels READ MORE

General course objectives:

• Degradation and utilization of biomass, municipal and industrial organic wastes,
  Utilization of biomass and organic waste energy potential.
• Application of thermal processes (combustion, gasification, pyrolysis) in the integrated system to biomass and waste utilization.
• Alternative hydrocarbons fuels production on the basis of biomass and organic wastes, Environment protection and sustainable development of urban region.
• Limitation of climate changes through application biomass as a renewable energy sources in country energy balance.

Please contact Sławomir Leszczyński, D.Sc. via phone at 012-617-2631 or via email at leszczyn@metal.agh.edu.pl for more information regarding the course.

Research Areas: Renewable Sources of Energy The university conducts research and the analysis of solid, liquid and gas fuels, the process of pyrolysis and the gasification of coal and biomass. Research is also conducted on the properties of oil-based liquid fuels and biofuels READ MORE.

Topics of the research: Renewable energy sources in Poland and European Union countries energy primary structures

Please contact AGH University of Science and Technology via phone at +48 12 617 32 57 or +48 12 617 47 83 for more information.

UK

Aston University, Birmingham, UK  Bioenergy Research Group The Bioenergy Research Group (BERG) is one of the largest university based research groups in thermal biomass conversion in the world. It was formed in 1986 as a focus for a range of inter-related activities in biomass conversion and environmental studies related to global warming and has grown into a substantial multi-disciplinary research effort.

The objective of the BERG is to apply chemical-engineering science and technology to help provide the world with sufficient energy, fuels and chemicals from renewable and sustainable resources to meet tomorrow’s needs To this end BERG is developing novel thermal processes whereby agricultural wastes, fast-growing wood, annual crops and biogenic wastes can be thermally converted in a biorefinery, using both fast pyrolysis and intermediate pyrolysis, into oils and gases which can, in turn, be used to generate electricity and produce transport fuels and chemicals.  READ MORE

Aston University in Birmingham, UK is involved in a € 3.73m (£3.4 million) research project, which will transform organic residues from biofuel production processes into a renewable biofuel that can reduce reliance on fossil diesel imports. … This project is based on second generation products from whole biomass with higher yields and which do not compete with food.  In particular we will be processing the residues from these processes which will further improve performance and minimise waste disposal. “We want to bring together a global network of experts and researchers, who are able to build upon existing biofuel technologies. This will help to pave the way for large scale biofuel production by 2020, in a way that doesn’t impact on land usage and similarly helps solves the problems of growing amounts of organic waste.”  The scheme is set to strengthen research collaboration between Europe and Latin America, with a Scholarship Scheme enabling PhD and post doctoral researchers to undertake biofuel production. A series of public lectures and presentations are also planned to engage the general public with the DIBANET scheme.  READ MORE

Aston University  Birmingham, UK  Diesel Miscible Biofuel (DMB)  Aston University Bioenergy Research Group (BERG) aims to produce a sustainable diesel miscible biofuel (DMB) for use in Europe and Latin America through a 42 month biofuels project coordinated by the University of Limerick in Ireland, lead by Professor Tony Bridgwater in Aston.  The project will cost £3.4 million and will transform organic residues from biofuel production processes into a renewable biofuel that can reduce reliance on fossil diesel imports.

Bioenergy Research Group (BERG) is one of the largest university based research groups specialized in thermal biomass conversion. The aim of the BERG is to apply chemical-engineering science and technology to help provide the world with sufficient energy, fuels and chemicals from renewable and sustainable resources.

The biofuel project to reduce diesel imports  will include global network of experts, researchers, PhD and post doctoral students interested in biofuel production.  The project unites industry professionals who are able to build upon existing biofuel technologies and strengthens research collaboration between Europe and Latin America READ MORE.

Research Areas include:

• BERG focuses on thermal processing fast pyrolysis for production of liquids that can be used as fuels for power/heat production, transport fuels and chemicals.
• Thermal processing
• Pyrolysis for production of liquid (bio-oil), gas and charcoal.
• Gasification for production of gas used as fuel, hydrogen, transport fuels and chemicals.
• Combustion for production of heat that used for heat/power production.
• Biological processing
• Fermentation to alcohol, including bio-ethanol and biobutanol used as a transport fuel or gasoline.
• Digestion (anaerobic digestion) to bio-gas – a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide – used for heat/power.
• Mechanical processing
• Production of vegetable oils upgraded to bio-diesel (RME – rape methylester), which can be added to diesel.

View current and completed research projects.  Contact Professor Bridgwater Bioenergy Research Group via cell phone +44 (0) 7770 227829 or via email at a.v.bridgwater@aston.ac.uk for more information.

University of Dundee, Scotland Postgraduate course MRes in Crop Plant and the Environment University of Dundee offers a one year postgraduate course in Crop Plant and the Environment. The course is part of the School of Learning and Teaching, College of Life Sciences.  The majority of students who attend MRes courses proceed to a career in research. It is advised that students perusing this course enroll in a PhD program. Both the SCRI and the University of Dundee are internationally recognized as providing world class training of postgraduate scientists, not only in terms of the excellence of the staff who teach the course, but also the outstanding facilities available for students to use. READ MORE.

Some Case Studies  for this course include:

• Organic Farming
• Biofuels
• Bio-Remediation
• Crop Plant Pathogens

There are different types of funding for international students interested in this course.

• University of Dundee Overseas Student Scholarships
• Saltire Scholarships
• Scottish Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (SORSAS) awards

Click here to view program content. Please contact Sandra Wallace,  Program Administrator School of Learning and Teaching College of Life Sciences via email at s.x.wallace@dundee.ac.uk or via phone at +44 1382 388 178 for more information regarding this program.

Edinburgh Napier University, UK The Biofuel Research Centre Research and Knowledge Transfer activities at Edinburgh Napier University are conducted through specialist Institutes. The Biofuel Research Centre was established at Edinburgh Napier University to operate as an internationally recognized portal to serve and supply the diverse sectors that will collectively underpin the development and large scale production of the next generation of biofuel in the UK and beyond.

Biofuel Business Program The Biofuel Business Program works directly with small to medium sized enterprises in the Scottish business sector. It engages with industry and facilitates the conversion of biomass waste to energy and the production of sustainable biofuels.

The program supports projects investigating diverse waste streams, and the conversion of these streams into biofuels. The program team advises businesses who are generating waste on alternative and sustainable disposal options. This is done through sector specific workshops, conferences, consultations and a range of fact sheets and case studies. READ MORE.

The biofuel business program benefits companies by providing:

• Tailored advice on current legislation around biofuels and energy from waste
• Analysis of waste streams and identification of potential commercial opportunities
• Highlight financial and environmental gains
• Access to Feasibility Fund

If you would like further information on any of their activities please contact  the Research Office via phone at 0131 455 2499 / 2686 or the Knowledge Transfer team via phone at 0131 455 6319.

The University of York, Heslington, UK  PhD, Masters, Undergraduate   The Department of Biology at The University of York offers degree programs that stimulates students interest and develop understanding in all the most significant areas of Biology and Biochemistry. Biology can be taken as a flexible program consisting of four specialist degree programs in Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, Biotechnology & Microbiology and Ecology, Conservation & Environment.  All students benefit from a balanced program of training in broader research-related skills that enhance career prospects.

Marine wood borer enzyme discovery- Scientists at the University of York believe that potent digestive enzymes that gribble produces to convert wood into sugars, could be harnessed as a crucial component in making liquid biofuels.  CNAP – Centre for Novel Agricultural Products , Department of Biology is a research centre committed to training researchers in its multi-disciplinary environment.  Researchers in CNAP are part of the UK’s public investment in bioenergy research. READ MORE.  Professor Simon McQueen-Mason head of The York project continues to work with marine biologists at Portsmouth University to identify the enzymes in the gribble’s digestive tract needed for the breaking down of wood. READ MORE.

The University of Nottingham University Park, Nottingham Master’s degrees in renewable energy

Energy Conversion and Management (Nottingham/Ningbo) Masters (MSc), Energy Conversion and Management Diploma (PGDip) The University of Nottingham’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering is dedicated to quality in both teaching and research. Our courses are renowned throughout industry and other universities for the high standards they set. The Department supports major research programs in:

• Applied optics
• Applied ultrasonics
• Photonic and radio frequency
• Electromagnetics
• Power electronics, machines and control

The Department’s research programs provide postgraduate students with exciting opportunities to pursue research that leads to a PhD and is the cutting-edge of scientific and technological developments worldwide. The Department offers Masters level courses that provide advanced training in electrical, electronic, computer and communication engineering, optical engineering, photonic communications, ultrasonic instrumentation, and renewable energies.

Electrical Technology for Sustainable and Renewable Energy Systems Masters (MSc) The MSc in Electrical Technology for Sustainable and Renewable Energy Systems is designed to provide instruction and training in the most recent developments in the equipment and systems used to interface and control renewable and sustainable energy systems.

The program provides an excellent basis for engineers wishing to update their knowledge and students who wish to pursue research for a PhD or Masters degree. READ MORE

Please contact Laura Nightingale Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering via phone at  +44 (0)115 846 8504 or  email the department for more information.

Department of Architecture and Built Environment– Energy Conversion and Management Diploma (PGDip)  The Postgraduate Diploma in Energy Conversion and Management is designed to provide students with a high level of engineering and technical expertise in energy conversion processes, combined with practical abilities in management-related issues.

This course is tailored towards graduates in engineering, science and related disciplines.  The strong emphasis on science, technology and engineering is specifically targeted towards subject areas within the context of renewable and sustainable energy technologies and the built environment.

Energy Conversion and Management (Nottingham/Ningbo) Masters (MSc)   The MSc in Energy Conversion and Management is offered in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Energy Technology (CSET) at The University of Nottingham’s Ningbo Campus in China. The MSc is tailored towards graduates in engineering, science and related disciplines.

Course Content for both programs includes:

• Renewable energy systems
• Energy and fuel cells with their associated applications
• Fuel combustion and pollution control, including Biomass systems

Please contact Graduate Admissions, Department of Architecture and Built Environment via phone at +44 (0)115 951 3882

Loughborough University Leicestershire, UK Master’s Program in Renewable Energy.

Loughborough University’s Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering provides a range of postgraduate MSc degrees that address the three key challenges of energy, communications and systems. The MSc program offer advanced-level training and education geared to the needs of global industry, commerce and government.

Research within The Energy Research Division aims to make major contributions to the fundamental understanding of modern electrical engineering and to explore applications in areas such as:

• Power generation and renewable energy
• Short-pulse and high-frequency energy systems
• Biology and medicine
• Electrical power systems and high voltage engineering

The Energy Research Division contains several research groups, each led by a full-time academic staff, and associated members from different divisions of the Department Of CREST, Centre for Renewable Energy Systems and Technology READ MORE.

View Sample Courses

• Biomass 1
• Biomass 2

Please contact Simon Watson, Head of Division for more information.

University of Leeds M.Sc Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems

The School of Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering at the University of Leeds offer an M.Sc Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems program that addresses the fundamentals of renewable energy. This is an advanced program in the area of electrical engineering applied to renewable energy systems.

You will undertake substantial elements of practical work giving you confidence with hardware implementations using electric drives, microcontroller control and electronic conversion circuits. Project work are conducted in a research-led environment, with selected students having the opportunity to carry out an industrial placement for their project. The degree is a twelve months full-time program.

Graduates of this program can expect to find jobs in the electronics, automotive, transport, construction, industrial automation, energy, oil and environmental sectors. READ MORE

Degree Requirements A degree equivalent to a UK upper second class honors (2.1) degree or higher in electronic engineering, but others may be considered. READ MORE

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• Students Researching in Biofuels
• Course brochure: Download

Middle East

Masdar Institute The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi will lead the study with Boeing and Honeywell’s UOP of Jet Fuel Made from Saltwater Plants.  It will examine the overall potential for sustainable, large-scale production of biofuels made from salicornia bigelovii and saltwater mangroves – plants known as halophytes. The Government of Abu Dhabi founded the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology to research and develop alternative energy and sustainable technologies.

Masdar Institute is an independent, non-profit graduate institution established with the support and cooperation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, recognized as one of the world’s premier scientific institutions. Yale University’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and UOP will also participate in the analysis, which will include an assessment of the total carbon lifecycle of biofuels.

About Halophytes Halophytes is a productive sources of biomass energy.  Halophytes thrive in arid land and can be irrigated with sea water, making it suitable for biofuel development. The halophyte study will evaluate aquaculture management and practices, land use and energy requirements and identify any potential adverse ecological or social impacts associated with using halophytes for aviation biofuel development.

Procedure The integrated approach uses saltwater to create an aquaculture-based farming system in parallel with the growth of mangrove forests and Salicornia, a plant that thrives in salty water. These biomass sources can be sustainably harvested and used to generate clean energy, aviation biofuels and other products. This closed-loop system converts aquaculture into an affordable, nutrient-rich fertilizer for both plant species. READ MORE.

To verify data gathered during the analysis, the halophyte study will be peer-reviewed by third parties and measured against practices and principles developed by the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels and supported by members of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group READ MORE and MORE.

The technology of evolutionary seawater farming has been pioneered by Dr. Carl Hodges of Global Seawater Inc.