Programme Components - Wing Energy Studies
European Wind Energy Master
European Wind Energy Master
EWEM is an advanced MSc for elite cohorts of students, with four specializations that follow the energy conversion chain:
Four tracks of specialization: the EWEM is divided in four tracks (specializations), along the energy conversion chain: Wind Physics, Rotor Design, Electric Power Systems and Offshore Engineering, transversally connected by its application to Wind Energy Technology. A schematic representation of the structure of the programme is presented below.
Didactic approach: the student builds the specific knowledge of the MSc track and profile through courses, practical courses and assignments/projects, complemented by a directed internship and a supervised final MSc project. The consolidation of the theoretical content is made by a range of experimental and computational assignments.
To expose the student to the state-of-the-art and new challenges in Wind Energy, the programme is complemented by the EWEM Summer School event, regular EWEM Symposia by guest lecturers from associated partners and the EWEM Innovation and Entrepreneurship Workshop.
EWEM track structure: each EWEM is a two-year joint programme (120 ECTS) with seven distinct elements:
- Introduction (20 ECTS): lectured at DTU, it consists of the courses Wind Energy Technology and Aerodynamics (10 ECTS) and Technology, Economics, Management and Organisation -TEMO (10 ECTS). The courses introduce the full EWEM students cohort to Wind Energy technology and the role of the graduate as a technological agent, including technology valorisation, team work and management, and in a given organisation from a strategic, tactical and operational perspective.
- Specialization (49-61 ECTS): this block includes compulsive (core) and elective courses, both on the specialization (applied and fundamental) and general competences, such as scientific writing, research methodologies and languages.
- Summer School: guest lecturers from industry and academia lecture on Wind Energy R&D, market and general competences; it is a transversal to the four specializations. It is elective and free of charge for EWEM Students and for EWEM Alumni, and will be integrated with the EAWE PhD Summer School, becoming a network point for MSc and PhD students, academic research staff and industry.
- EWEM Symposia: regular symposia by guest lecturers/researchers from our associate partners and by PhD students from the Consortium, exposing students to the state-of-the-art in research.
- EWEM Innovation and Entrepreneurship Workshop: graduates will be ethical agents, as research entrepreneurs in the Wind Energy innovation process. Following up on the content of the TEMO course (1st semester), Internship, Summer School and EWEM Symposia, this workshop focus on: Knowledge Value Chain management, organisation of knowledge processes, technology trees, technology/market maturity analyses, intellectual property and developing a business model.
- Internship (6-9 ECTS): students can do their internship with EWEM associated partners (Award Criterion A.1.6), or propose their own internship in other institutions; it can also be integrated with the MSc thesis. Students develop skills evaluating professional standards in respect to sustainable development, project and risk management, value management, health and safety management, knowledge management, business operation and organisational culture, policies and processes.
- MSc thesis (30-45 ECTS): the thesis work can be developed at any of the partner institutions or associated partners, independent of specialization, and is jointly supervised by supervisors from the two diploma awarding partners in the study track, and possibly a third local supervisor. The list of available thesis topics is agreed upon by the EWEM Academic Board and associated partners, verifying feasibility and quality of the research questions and methodology. Students are also encouraged to propose own topics for their MSc thesis. The thesis is an individual in-depth research or expert design project. Students can take an in-depth mono disciplinary thesis project or link his thesis to a multidisciplinary project. For the track Wind Physics, the thesis work is 30 ECTS. For the remaining tracks, thesis work is 45 ECTS; consisting of 15 ECTS of thesis definition work performed during the 3rd semester (literature review, definition of the research question, definition of methodology and selection of tools) and a 30 ECTS thesis development and reporting in the 4th semester.
Learning outcomes of the EWEM programme: the EWEM programme aims to train students in emerging research domains with a high potential impact to shape the future of the wind energy sector. It prepares students for employment in multidisciplinary departments in industry and/or for continuing their studies within PhD programmes. After completing the EWEM programme the graduate will
- understand the product development process applied (within and outside wind energy).
- be able to apply and/or improve a scientific methodology to improve product development.
- possesses the competencies necessary for the design and implementation of complex wind energy systems and their components in one of the four specialisation tracks.
- be able to contribute to the formulation and implementation of a research project.
The joint introduction in the first semester and specific multi-disciplinary and project-oriented teaching instruments will provide the student with the ability to transfer knowledge and competences beyond the limits of his/her specialisation and to embed design choices in a socio-technical context.
The student will acquire knowledge in both theoretical and applied sciences underlying wind energy systems in general and the chosen specialisation track, which will allow him/her to adapt quickly to changes in this constantly evolving field, and specific competencies necessary to operate in the chosen area of specialization.
The student will also attain expertise in putting his/her knowledge into practice by participating in laboratory projects and the internship placement. Moreover, the student will attain practical project management skills which are necessary for an effective application of the knowledge acquired.
The EWEM track structure, specific multi-disciplinary and project-oriented teaching instruments as well as the internship and the master thesis provide the EWEM graduate with a range of generic tools and skills to:
- use initiative and take responsibility in multicultural teams,
- apply his/her knowledge and understanding, and problem solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments and in creative and innovative ways,
- make sound decisions in challenging situations,
- apply practical project management skills,
- integrate multi-disciplinary knowledge and handle complexity of wind energy systems, and formulate judgements with incomplete or limited information (e.g. environmental data, technical and economic product performance, market developments), that includes reflecting on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of his/her knowledge and judgements,
- continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed or autonomous,
- communicate conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to wind energy specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously
- act as an academic entrepreneur, defining new questions and research.
The international dimension of the EWEM Course guarantees that students familiarize themselves with different educational methods and a multicultural education.