Strategy 2035
Strategy 2026-2035
The Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT)’s social mission is aligned with those of NTNU as a whole and the Faculty of Engineering (IV): to develop and apply engineering knowledge for a sustainable and safe future.
In the face of climate change, the energy transition, natural resource scarcity, new security policy frameworks and rapid technological changes, the Department of Energy and Process Engineering’s role is to provide society with knowledge, technology and graduates who strengthen society’s ability to adapt.
The Department of Energy and Process Engineering’s broad academic scope – ranging from thermodynamics and fluid mechanics to energy systems and power generation, process and systems engineering, and quantitative sustainability analysis – means the Department has a unique foundation for addressing the societal needs outlined in the Faculty of Engineering’s Strategy 2026–2035. The Department makes significant contributions to the Faculty’s main research domains of “Energy Technology” and “The Built Environment and Infrastructure”, but also contributes in fields such as materials, industrial processes, national security and digitalisation.
The Department of Energy and Process Engineering aims to be a driving force for the development of knowledge that supports excellence in research, education and innovation in line with NTNU’s core values and its ambition to use knowledge for a better world.
Ambitions
The Department of Energy and Process Engineering will actively contribute to the realisation of the Faculty of Engineering’s ambitions of internationally leading quality, interdisciplinary collaboration, strong global partnerships, excellent education, and sustainable societal transformation. The Department does this by:
Ambition 1: Contributing to research excellence
- further developing cutting-edge expertise in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, energy systems and power generation, process and systems engineering, and quantitative sustainability analysis of energy systems, including minerals and marine technology
- strengthening research capacity related to defence
- building up our research infrastructure and laboratories as a foundation for national and international competitiveness
- developing large-scale, interdisciplinary research projects that lead to breakthroughs in energy transition, climate change, use of materials, infrastructure and technological innovation
Ambition 2: Enhancing the relevance of our education
- offering foundation courses in core subjects for a wider range of programmes of study at NTNU
- developing programmes of study with strong disciplinary expertise, high digital competence and integrated sustainability
- ensuring that laboratory work and experimental learning are central to teaching, in line with the ambitions in the Faculty of Engineering’s strategy
Ambition 3: Being a driving force for socially relevant knowledge
- working closely with industry, the public sector and other research communities
- providing academic input and support for national and international policies, standardisation and basic knowledge
- educating graduates who play a key role in the green transition, digital transformation and technological innovation
Objectives
By 2035, the Department of Energy and Process Engineering will be:
Objective 1: An internationally leading academic community
The Department of Energy and Process Engineering will maintain and further develop its position as a key international player in fields such as thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, energy systems and power generation, process and systems engineering, and quantitative sustainability analysis. The Department leads and participates in major European and national research programmes – such as the European Research Council (ERC), Horizon Europe, Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME) Centres for Research-based Innovation (SFI), Norwegian Centres of Excellence (SFF), and Collaborative and Knowledge-building Projects (KSP) – in collaboration with other partners from academia and industry.
Objective 2: A department with collective academic strength
The Department of Energy and Process Engineering will improved the synergies between its various areas of expertise – in both research and education. Wherever possible, the research at the Department combines knowledge about energy, processes, systems, sustainability and technological developments, as well as safety, security and emergency preparedness, through the effective use of our laboratories, interdisciplinary teaching and academic supervision.
Objective 3: A leading provider of sought-after graduates and lifelong learning
We offer relevant BSc and MSc programmes and have increased our presence in the continuing and further education market, where this is profitable. The Department of Energy and Process Engineering’s programmes are characterised by solid core subjects, digital workflows and data management, advanced modelling, experimentation expertise, and strong ties to cutting-edge research and industry.
Objective 4: A modern and sustainable laboratory portfolio
The Department’s laboratories are at the forefront of their fields, technically flexible, and financially sustainable. New infrastructure is developed in line with changes in needs for research and education. Older laboratories are phased out when it is no longer financially viable to operate them.
Objective 5: An efficient and professionally organised department
The Department of Energy and Process Engineering has robust administrative support functions, professional project support and efficient portfolio management. The Department recruits and retains outstanding professionals in research and teaching.
Research objectives
The Department of Energy and Process Engineering aims to be a driving force for research that enables sustainable energy systems and power generation through systematic research in our focus areas. The main priorities are:
Research objective 1: Increased research capacity
- ensure strategic recruitment in new and critical fields such as energy storage, advanced numerical modelling, low-emission technologies, integrated energy systems, and digital sustainability
- maintain our current priority research areas while remaining adaptable to ensure our relevance to society and the Department’s ambition of international excellence
Research objective 2: Increased external funding and project portfolio
- initiate and actively participate in grant applications to the EU, the Research Council of Norway, and establishment of major research centres in order to maintain and increase the volume of external funding
- further develop strategic partnerships with industrial players and public authorities
- develop major, strategic research projects within our core areas while also focusing on innovation
- establish projects that combine experimental, model-based and data-driven approaches
Research objective 3: Interdisciplinarity as a competitive advantage
- develop integrated models and research methods that link multiple disciplines within the fields of energy, materials, climate, processes and society
- strengthen internal collaboration across disciplines, particularly when recruiting new talent
Research objective 4: World-class research infrastructure
- upgrade and develop laboratories to meet future needs
- ensure sustainable operations and enhanced technical expertise for basic research, applied projects and education
Research objective 5: Strengthen the development of research talent
- strengthen the support for early-career researchers through mentoring, project funding and research leadership
- pave the way for more high-calibre PhD projects by improving the quality of academic supervision
Education objectives
The Department of Energy and Process Engineering’s educational programmes are outstanding, research-based and attractive. Strategic goals:
Education objective 1: Quality and relevance of programmes of study
- ensure the programmes are continuously updated with the latest academic knowledge
- develop teaching methods that support active learning and problem-solving that is relevant to engineering subjects
- strengthen the cohesion between the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes
Education objective 2: Integrated digital and experimental competencies
- increase the use of modelling, programming and data-driven methods
- further develop laboratory-based and project-driven teaching to ensure that students acquire practical skills
Education objective 3: Stronger recruitment of students with a focus on diversity
- highlight the relevance of energy and environmental subjects in work to resolve societal challenges
- develop attractive courses of study and maintain effective and timely communication with prospective BSc and MSc students – both Norwegian and international
Education objective 4: Lifelong learning
- develop continuing and further education and training in collaboration with industry and the public sector
- continue recruiting from preliminary courses and strengthen this group’s competencies through courses that build on their practical skills to develop more advanced technical expertise, with a view to contributing to effective collaboration in the real world
- offer flexible learning modules and digital courses
- facilitate the ongoing professional development of staff
Objectives for collaboration and social responsibility
The Department of Energy and Process Engineering is a visible and proactive contributor to society. Strategic goals:
Objective 1 for collaboration and social responsibility: Strengthen international collaboration
- develop partnerships with leading international universities and research groups around the world
- actively contribute to international research forums
Objective 2 for collaboration and social responsibility: Close ties to industry and the public administration
- collaborate strategically and thematically on innovation and knowledge development
- facilitate student projects, master’s theses and internship opportunities
Objective 3 for collaboration and social responsibility: Contribute to evidence-based policies
- provide tools, analyses, and decision-making support to government agencies, non-governmental organisations and industrial players
- participate actively in the public debate and communicate openly and widely about the Department’s research
Objective 4 for collaboration and social responsibility: Diversity and inclusion
- ensure greater diversity and better gender balance in academic positions
- ensure a diverse staff with strong international representation
Measures
The Department of Energy and Process Engineering’s overarching joint measures are:
- enhanced development of attractive courses of study for internal student recruitment
- coordinated development of digital and data-driven teaching resources
- targeted development of relevant continuing and further education programmes for fields where there is a need and interest in these kinds of offerings
- systematic upgrading of laboratories and equipment
- target-oriented work to secure external funding and partnerships
- increased support for the development of doctoral and postdoctoral opportunities
- strategic recruitment in critical fields
- enhanced efforts to reach a wider audience, including decision-makers and the general public