phd thesis renewable energy

Doctor of Philosophy in sustainable energy

About the doctor of philosophy degree.

Today’s global energy transitions demand leaders who can seamlessly navigate interwoven technical, societal, and environmental challenges. The newly established PhD in sustainable energy, offered on ASU’s Tempe campus, transcends the boundaries of traditional methodologies and disciplinary viewpoints to achieve a sustainable energy future.

Students in the degree program will conduct collaborative cross-disciplinary research integrating energy science with societal and policy insights. Drawing upon emerging knowledge and deep historical insights, and integrating information from the physical, biological, and social sciences, students will explore and contribute to sustainable solutions that address urgent energy challenges now and in the future.

Graduates will be prepared to bridge diverse domains and communities, fostering socio-technical innovation and developing sustainable energy solutions and policies.

Admission requirements

Students may be admitted to the PhD in sustainable energy program with either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree from an international institution officially recognized by that country. Applicants from diverse educational and professional backgrounds are encouraged.

Learning outcomes

PhD in sustainable energy graduates will have an advanced understanding of the dynamics and complexity of global energy systems and will be able to lead others in research providing adaptive solutions to specific sustainable energy challenges. In addition to the common learning outcomes, PhD in sustainable energy students will be able to:

• Use their analytical and theoretical knowledge to elucidate and contextualize complex, transdisciplinary issues surrounding energy.
• Contribute to the body of knowledge of complex energy systems through transdisciplinary research.
• Function within the science-policy nexus with a unique understanding of issues and proposing innovative solutions.
• Produce a portfolio of research accomplishments in complex energy systems that will position them to be competitive for employment opportunities in academia, industry, and government.

If admitted with a bachelor’s degree, students must complete a minimum of 84 semester hours. If admitted with a master’s degree, they must complete a minimum of 54 hours.

Requirements and electives

Courses and electives, core courses.

SOS 571: Sustainable Energy I: Technologies and Systems (3 credits) This is the first in a sequence of foundational courses (571, 572, and 573) in the graduate program for sustainable energy. This course provides a primer on the scientific, technological, and social aspects of energy. It has three core modules: (1) primer on the physics of energy, (2) a review of power systems and electricity generation technologies, and (3) a review of transportation systems and fuel/vehicle technologies. Although the class focuses on energy technology, it also incorporates discussions of the human dimensions of energy systems.

SOS 572: Sustainable Energy II: Transitions (3 credits) This course follows the thread of energy transitions through every aspect of our lives. It stresses the technological, economic, social, and political contexts of energy transitions. It addresses energy use throughout history, the influence of energy on quality of life, how energy use has influenced the process of urbanization and how considerations of access to and control of energy sources shapes geopolitical strategies.

SOS 573: Sustainable Energy III: Futures Analysis, Negotiation and Governance (3 credits) This course provides a basis for understanding the intersection of social, political, cultural, economic, and technical dynamics of existing and emerging energy system possibilities, emphasizing the roles of human decision-making as well as new scientific and technological developments. It emphasizes the development of sophisticated competency in several broad thematic capacities that are required to understand, engage with, and provide thought leadership in the ongoing challenge of creating and cultivating sustainable energy systems.

SOS 574: Sustainable Energy Analytics in Context (3 credits) This course will address the primary metrics, data sources, and methodologies used to measure sustainable energy, including how they are used to track progress toward sustainability goals and shape public policies. It covers the metrics for comparing the cost, efficiency, social equity and environmental impacts of various energy sources, and issues pertaining to product life cycle evaluation. These metrics provide the foundation for assessing the relative merits of various energy and production options based on a variety of possible criteria. In addition to imparting factual knowledge for quantitatively evaluating a multiplicity of energy sources and systems and their impact on the environment, it will build skills in research, comparative analysis and critical thinking that will catalyze a lifetime of engagement with the complex and evolving issues surrounding sustainability.

SOS 575: Sustainable Energy Research Seminar (1 credit) This is a seminar-based course for Sustainable Energy doctoral students focusing on research skills for transdisciplinary energy research. The seminar has a different focus in the Fall and Spring. In the Fall, the course focuses on research methods. In the Spring, the course focuses on the process of generating research ideas and writing effective research proposals.

SOS 589: Community of Scholars (1 credit) This seminar provides the opportunity to develop new skills, to foster cohort building, to interact with other students and faculty in the School of Sustainability, and to network and build support with the alumni network.

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Large-scale integration of renewable energy sources in the future energy system of Colombia

In recent years, governments around the world have been increasing their attention on energy supply policies. These policies are focused towards three main energy goals that define the energy trilemma: security of supply, affordability and environmental sustainability. In the case of Colombia, the diversification of the energy mix including larger shares of renewable energy sources (RES) is a significant part of the national energy strategy towards a sustainable and more secure energy system. Historically, the country has relied on the intensive use of hydropower and fossil fuels as the main energy sources. Colombia has a huge renewables potential, and therefore the exploration of different pathways for their integration is required. The aim of this study is to assess the integration of variable renewable technologies and flexibility options into national energy systems by analysing future scenarios (towards 2030 and 2040). EnergyPLAN was the modelling tool employed for building the country’s model and simulate the reference year scenario and future alternatives. The study was divided in three research topics for its analysis: initially, the impacts of increasing shares of variable renewable sources in the energy system towards 2030 were analysed using five alternatives scenarios. Subsequently, a techno-economic optimisation was performed in order to assess the combined effects of large-scale energy storage and cross-border interconnections in the power system. Finally, the impact of road transport electrification in supporting the energy transition in the longer term (2040) was evaluated for the national system. The results showed that an increase in the shares of wind, solar and bioenergy combined with energy storage, electric vehicles and a strong interconnected market could achieve significant reductions in CO2 emissions and savings in the total fuel consumption of the country. The results of this work will be of much assistance to policymakers that are developing a roadmap towards low carbon energy systems in Colombia and other countries with similar potential and characteristics.

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UCL Energy Institute MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

UCL Energy Institute delivers world-leading learning, research and policy support on the challenges of climate change and energy security. Our multidisciplinary research programme and strong industry links provide an excellent foundation for your Energy PhD study. Our graduates are employed by the world's foremost academic, industry and governmental institutions.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Research degree students start their programme in BSEER in September or January each academic year. Starting at other times is by exception where a strong justification is made.

• Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a relevant subject, is essential. Exceptionally: where applicants have other suitable research or professional experience, they may be admitted without a Master's degree; or where applicants have a lower second-class UK Honours Bachelor's degree (2:2) (or equivalent) they must possess a relevant Master's degree to be admitted. We expect any successful application to include a sufficiently strong and convincing proposal, and those holding a Master's degree are typically well prepared to provide one. Relevant work experience is highly desirable.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance . This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place. Please note that ATAS processing times can take up to six months, so we recommend you consider these timelines when submitting your application to UCL.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Most energy problems are multidisciplinary in nature, spanning science, engineering and the social sciences. UCL Energy Institute brings together different perspectives in energy demand, energy supply, and energy systems research, transcending boundaries between academic disciplines to create world-leading research and policy support on the challenges of climate change, energy security, and social justice. 

As an MPhil or PhD student with us, you will conduct your own original energy related research. If you have a research idea that falls within our research themes, an MPhil/PhD at UCL Energy Institute could be the right path for you. To get started with your application, follow the four step process on our ‘ How to apply for an Energy MPhil/PhD ’ page.

Who this course is for

This MPhil/PhD is for applicants with a strong interest or background in energy issues who want to do multi-disciplinary research to solve societal problems and explore innovative solutions. For example, if your energy interests are at the intersection of policy and science; engineering and economics; or the social sciences and technology, this PhD could be for you. It is suitable for both recent Master’s graduates as well as early or mid-career professionals.

What this course will give you

Studying with us is about excelling at your own field of study, being exposed to new perspectives and methodologies, and developing communication and networking skills. PhD students are core to our activities and are a key priority in terms of current and future state-of-the-art energy demand, energy supply and energy systems research here in the UK and around the world.

We are part of The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources , home to four specialist sustainability-focussed Institutes in UCL’s Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment. Our degree programme offers students a unique opportunity to work alongside world-leading researchers across our School’s sustainability foci, giving you the opportunity to develop your research skills and opening new career opportunities in the broad field of environment, energy and resources.

We offer a world-leading research environment. In the latest national research assessment ( REF 2021 ), our Faculty were number one for Research Power in the built environment, with 91% of our Faculty’s research was deemed ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’. Much of our research is undertaken in partnership with government and industry to ground it in real-world impact.

The foundation of your career

The UCL Energy Institute aims to train highly employable graduates who are equipped with the required analytical capability, research knowledge, management skills, and professional values to become leaders and entrepreneurs in their chosen field. Leadership, communication, teamwork, language and business skills are refined in the high-quality multidisciplinary research environment through our taught programmes, workshops, and internal and external seminars.

Alumni Views

“About a year before I finished, I saw that the British Energy regulator, Ofgem, was advertising for someone with the same experience and skill set I’d been developing over my Masters and then PhD… I feel very confident that my PhD played a major role in making sure I was qualified for the role and hope that it will help me progress with my career in future too.” Moira Nicolson, UCL Energy Institute PhD Graduate  

Employability

A PhD indicates a highly qualified researcher, capable of independent analytic thought. It is essential for those interested in pursuing careers in academia, and it is also a highly regarded qualification for those wishing to attain senior management positions in industry, non-profit and public sector organisations, and consultancies. Our alumni have gone on to careers in academic teaching and research as well as industry and policy organisations.

Supervision and mentorship is available from world-leading researchers with national and international contacts and collaborations across government, industry, non-profit and academic sectors. These links provide real opportunities to network and collaborate with a variety of external partners. Students have the opportunity to showcase their research at national and international conferences with support from the programme. Our students also gain access to networking events, career workshops, and national and international seminars held by the UCL Energy Institute and other institutes within the school. Students also sometimes self-organise their own networking initiatives, seminars, and workshops.

Teaching and learning

Initially, you will be registered for the MPhil degree. If you wish to proceed to a PhD, you will be required to pass an 'Upgrade' assessment. The purpose of the upgrade is to assess your progress and ability to complete your PhD programme to a good standard and in a reasonable time frame.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) consists of a piece of supervised research, normally undertaken over a period of three years full-time or five years part time. Assessment is by means of a thesis, which should demonstrate your capacity to pursue original research based upon a good understanding of the research techniques and concepts appropriate to the discipline.

Full-time PhD research involves full-time study. You should expect to dedicate around 35 hours per week to your work. You should meet frequently with your supervisors and engage with the departmental and UCL communities more widely through events, training, and networking opportunities.

Research areas and structure

• Energy and the Built Environment
• Energy and Economics
• Energy and Engineering
• Energy and Health
• Energy and Human Dimensions
• Energy and Policy
• Energy and Resources
• Energy and Transport

Research environment

"I very much enjoyed doing the PhD, particularly as I had great support in a truly multi-disciplinary environment, and had the freedom to design and develop my own topic. The knowledge and skills that I gained during the PhD were an important part of helping me to put theory into practice through my current position" - Peter Warren, UCL Energy Institute PhD graduate

UCL Energy Institute is helping to build a globally sustainable energy system through training future energy leaders, innovative multidisciplinary research and impactful collaborations governments and industries. We have a large PhD cohort working on a wide range of projects across energy demand, energy supply, and energy systems. Our staff and students have a passion to make the world a better place, and a commitment to creating and communicating evidence to achieve this goal.

We offer a world-leading research environment. In the latest national research assessment ( REF 2021 ), our Faculty were number one for Research Power in the built environment, with 91% of our Faculty’s research was deemed ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’.

All students are initially registered for an MPhil degree. Those studying full-time for a PhD undertake a formal “upgrade process” between 9-18 months, including a presentation and viva, and if successful are registered as PhD students. Students have up to two upgrade attempts.   The PhD programme normally lasts a minimum of three years. Once you have completed this period, you are able to apply for  “Continuing Research Status” (CRS), with no further fees, if your studies are sufficiently advanced and you meet the CRS entry criteria. Some funders instead offer four-year scholarships with no possibility of entering Continuing Research Status. You can submit a thesis for assessment in an oral viva at the conclusion of your studies either at the end of  the 3 years,  the end of your funded period or during CRS.

Part-time students follow the same programme as full-time students, except that the programme length is five years, with up to two additional years in Continuing Research Status, and the first upgrade attempt normally takes place after 15 months of initial registration.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

Route code RRDEERSENR01

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

As a research student, your additional costs may include expenses such as books, conference attendance and field research, in the UK or overseas.

Our Faculty provides financial support to students through The Bartlett Student Conference Fund, Bartlett Doctoral Initiative Fund and Bartlett External Training Fund. Our School also provides the BSEER Student Development Fund where enrolled students can apply for financial support. However, please note that these funds are limited and available through competition. You can find out more on our MPhil/PhD scholarships and funding page.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

The Bartlett Promise Scholarship is a long-term project from our Faculty to attract students from a broader range of backgrounds and tackle the lack of diversity in the built environment. Please see the UK PhD scholarship page for more information on eligibility eligibility criteria, selection process and FAQs. You can also find out more about on our website.

We occasionally have funded studentship opportunities. These are advertised on the UCL-wide Funded Research Opportunities page. If you would like funded studentship opportunities sent to you via email, please register your interest in studying with us.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Bartlett Promise PhD Scholarship

Deadline: 19 May 2024 Value: Full fees, plus £19,668 maintenance (Normal duration of programme) Criteria Based on financial need Eligibility: UK

UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship (ROS)

Deadline: 12 January 2024 Value: UK rate fees, a maintenance stipend, conference costs and professional development package (3 years) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: UK

Prospective MPhil/PhD applicants are encouraged to send an informal research enquiry before applying. This should be sent directly to the academic you would like to supervise you. Please refer to the staff list on the department website  and see UCL's  Institutional Research Information Service  (IRIS) for staff profiles. Please attach to your e-mail a referenced research proposal of around 1,000 to 2,000 words and your curriculum vitae (CV).

Further details on how to apply to an MPhil/PhD can be found on the  UCL Graduate Admissions  website.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Year of entry: 2023-2024, got questions get in touch.

Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources

[email protected]

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Development and analysis of hybrid renewable energy system for offshore oil and gas rigs

Tee, Jing Zhong (2022) Development and analysis of hybrid renewable energy system for offshore oil and gas rigs. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Over the years, the decline of capital expenditure (CAPEX) on offshore wind turbine generation (WTG) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) has led to great interest in the electrification of offshore oil and gas (O&G) platforms with renewable sources. This will reduce the carbon footprint as the on-board gas turbine generation (GTG) can be removed. The state of the art has presented that O&G platforms integrated with BESS and an energy management system (EMS) is able to enhance output power quality to load, in the face of sequential events of dynamic loading and fluctuations in wind [11]. However, the proposed technique required a low-pass filter, which removed high frequencies in the voltage and frequency analysis, especially in the transient period. As such, it is expected that the efficiency is reduced due to power losses in the system.

The main focus of this thesis is to develop an optimised EMS for transient stability enhancement, in the presence of simultaneous changes in dynamic loads and stochasticity in wind speed, for offshore O&G platforms integrated with WTG. There are five main contributions in this thesis. First, a power stability study has demonstrated a reduction in transient deviation of output power for systems without and with BESS respectively [51]. Second, a transient stability analysis is presented for variations in BESS sizing using a commercial software, ETAP. The simulation has also shown that the proposed system, which has incorporated 2 MW of BESS, improved transient stability and met the IEC standards on maximum voltage and frequency deviations [61]. Third, an optimisation of transient stability was shown for an increased capacity in BESS from 2 MW to a total of 4 MW BESS [62]. The techno-economic feasibility of the proposed system is carried out, which shows that the BESS has the lowest operational expendture (OPEX) as compared with GTG or WTG [61], [62]. Last but not the least, an optimised transient stability solution is demonstrated with dynamic loading and stochasticity in wind speed. An EMS embedded in the BESS is developed and the simulation results for transient stability are compared against the current state of art. The superiority of the proposed EMS was demonstrated with a smaller voltage and frequency deviation, which improved the output power quality with variations in load variation and wind intermittency. In addition, it is developed with considerations to lower the overall cost of the system and provide decarbonisation for long-term continuous operation.

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A PhD in renewable energy engineering

UQ people Published 28 Aug, 2020  ·  3-minute read

Jordan Pennells has set his sights on achieving lofty career goals around energy technologies, leading to his PhD in renewable energy engineering. His inquisitive mind benefits from the guidance of a UQ researcher with a strong track record in discovery.

Jordan Pennells says he doesn't want to be “your typical engineer in oil and gas”.

An expansive thinker with an aptitude for tackling challenges via unconventional means, Jordan found the perfect mentor in Professor Darren Martin at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN). Now, the two are working together on Jordan's PhD in renewable energy engineering. 

“The first thing Darren was really good at was opening up this whole academic landscape for me to play around in,” says Jordan.

“I was able to explore myself, find the right topic for my thesis and also gain a fuller understanding of the political and bureaucratic environment of the industry, not just the research environment.

“Darren didn’t pigeonhole me in the first month. We had an initial discussion about where I wanted things to go, but it was an ongoing dialogue."

“It’s always evolving. We haven’t put any reins on the project.”

Jordan's PhD draws on his background in both engineering and science

A high school graduate of St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace in inner-city Brisbane, Jordan completed both a Bachelor of Engineering and a Bachelor of Science at UQ, specialising in chemical engineering and biomedicine. His latest academic pursuits are partly inspired by the search for innovative clean energy solutions.

His PhD involves harnessing the genetic structure of feedstock crops, in particular sorghum, to improve and produce sustainable products as varied as recycled paper and battery components.

“We’re bringing together the scientific principles behind why sorghum is a really drought-tolerant, versatile crop and then how that translates into the engineering principles of material design,” says Jordan.

“We’re talking about things that are renewable, which won’t be depleted over time like finite mineral resources. It makes sense. I think there are 465 tons of plant material around the world for every living human. It’s abundant."

“Perhaps in my personal life I’m not the most environmentally conscious person. But if you can embody that ethos in your everyday work life, I think that’s where you can make the greatest difference to the planet.”

Renewable energy engineering isn't a simple PhD topic

As the supervisor, Darren is upfront in saying that an “environmental conscience is a very heavy theme” in the undertakings of his research team.

As somebody who was raised in Lismore, in regional New South Wales, before spending 10 years amid the hustle and bustle of Sydney, Darren appreciates the potential dual benefits to the agricultural sector alongside urban businesses and consumers. And as the supervisor for several other PhDs in energy storage and related topics, he's no stranger to this field of study.

He also acknowledges UQ as the “epicentre for sorghum research” and believes it would be folly for AIBN not to use the extensive connections, resources and data already amassed by other UQ research groups.

In Jordan, Darren knows he has a talented prodigy who can help shape conversations for the future, especially if he receives the right guidance and encouragement early in his career.

“I’ve advised around 30 PhD candidates to this point in my career and believe that respect and honesty are extremely important,” Darren says.

“Jordan’s studied both engineering and science, and typically they are 2 fields that approach things differently. For him to have backgrounds in both is simultaneously a blessing and a curse.

“He’s an expansive thinker, so I knew very early my biggest challenge would be to give him enough freedom to achieve his potential, but also to rein him in when needed.

“His thesis will be very different to most PhD candidates and that’s exciting, yet narrowing it down to a defined body of work will also be critical to achieving productive outcomes."

“We listen to what PhD candidates want to do with their career, but also emphasise that they should have their eyes wide open."

For other students looking at completing a PhD in renewable energy engineering or any similar topic, Darren believes keeping an open mind if vital. 

“My greatest piece of advice would be to remain awake to the non-obvious answers," he says.

"Look for the area where you can make a key jump that’s not so much incremental but allows you to do something far better than how it is currently done.”

Your research career begins here at UQ.  Explore our scholarships or apply now.

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MACHINE LEARNING FOR RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is recognized as one of the most significant challenge of the 21st century. Anthropogenic activities have led to a substantial increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs) since the Industrial Revolution, with the energy sector being one the biggest contributors globally. The energy sector is now facing unique challenges not only due to decarbonization goals but also due to increased risks of climate extremes under climate change.

This dissertation focuses on leveraging machine learning, specifically utilizing unstructured data such as images, to address many of the unprecedented challenges faced by the energy systems. The dissertation begins (Chapter 1) by providing an overview of the risks posed by climate change to modern energy systems. It then explains how machine learning applications can help with addressing these risks. By harnessing the power of machine learning and unstructured data, this research aims to contribute to the development of more resilient and sustainable energy systems, as described briefly below.

Accurate forecasting of generation is essential for mitigating the risks associated with the increased penetration of intermittent and non-dispatchable variable renewable energy (VRE). In Chapters 2 and 3, deep learning techniques are proposed to predict solar irradiance, a crucial factor in solar energy generation, in order to address the uncertainty inherent in solar energy. Specifically, Chapter 2 introduces a cost-efficient fully exogenous solar irradiance forecasting model that effectively incorporates atmospheric cloud dynamics using satellite imagery. Building upon the work of Chapter 2, Chapter 3 extends the model to a fully probabilistic framework that not only forecasts the future point value of irradiance but also quantifies the uncertainty of the prediction. This is particularly important in the context of energy systems, as it relates to high-risk decision making.

While the energy system is a major contributor to GHG emissions, it is also vulnerable to climate change risks. Given the essential role of energy systems infrastructure in modern society, ensuring reliable and sustainable operations is of utmost importance. However, our understanding of reliability analysis in electricity transmission networks is limited due to the lack of access to large-scale transmission network topology datasets. Previous research has mostly relied on proxy or synthetic datasets. Chapter 4 addresses this research gap by proposing a novel deep learning-based object detection method that utilizes satellite images to construct a comprehensive large-scale transmission network dataset.

Degree Type

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Industrial Engineering

Campus location

• West Lafayette

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Additional committee member 2, additional committee member 3, additional committee member 4, additional committee member 5, usage metrics.

• Industrial engineering

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Renewable Energy Dissertation Topics

• Updated on  
• Jan 12, 2023

Renewable energy is one of the most popular research topics. Thousands of students used these topics for their MTech and PhD theses, but a few of them struggled to find the right topic and a good paper for their graduation. Now, all thesis on renewable energy resources problems can be solved with a single phone call, which means that our Leverage Edu experts can help MTech and PhD students who are having problems with their thesis on renewable energy resources. As a master’s student, you may choose renewable energy as your thesis topic . If you decide to write a thesis on renewable energy, you may be unsure of how to begin or even what you are required to do. Don’t worry, we have you covered. In this blog, you’ll find renewable energy dissertation topics to help you write your thesis.

This Blog Includes:

Why is renewable energy important, best renewable energy research topics 2023, topic 1 .

Renewable energy is one of the fastest-growing systems in developing countries. It is widely used for “self-service” purposes. It is quite popular due to some unique advantages in its application. PhD research topics in Renewable Energy provide a distinguished platform for PhD/ MS scholars. We assist our serving hands in developing the best profile for their career.

Renewable Energy’s Untapped Potential

• Ecofriendly
• Reasonable Price
• Lower Maintenance
• Health Advantages
• Unending and also Reliable Resource

It is the “core portion of the modern power system” all at once. It aids in the regulation of low, high, and variable power generation. As a result, we are also current in all of these recent areas. As a result, we guide you in every nook and cranny of your area with the help of our expert advice.

Topic 1: Renewable Energy: Prospects and Challenges Today

Topic 2: Renewable energy for Africa ‘s long-term development

Topic 3: The Impact of COVID – 19 on the Biofuel Market

Topic 4: Geothermal energy is an untapped abundant energy resource.

Topic 5: Wind Energy’s Future

Topic 6: How valuable is home wind energy?

Topic 7: Renewable Energy’s Economic and Environmental Benefits

Topic 8: Why is it more important than ever to prioritise renewable energy?

Topic 9: Is it expensive to finance renewable energy?

Topic 10: Climate change mitigation; can renewable energy help?

Topic 11: Living Green: How many people have access to renewable energy?

Topic 12: Understanding the distinctions between renewable and alternative energy technology 

Topic 13: Is solar energy the way to go?

Topic 14: 2030 Approach to Renewable Energy

Topic 15: The cost of solar energy versus other renewable energy sources

Renewable Energy Dissertation Examples

Here are some dissertation topics for you to cover under the renewable energy topic. The examples are personalised for the UK, but you can mend them according to the country that you choose to write about.

Topic Name: Investigating the economic benefits of increasing biomass conversion – a case study of the renewable energy industry in the United Kingdom .

Aim of the Study: The current study aims to investigate the economic benefits of increasing biomass conversion using the UK renewable energy industry as a case study.

Objectives:

• To present an initial concept of biomass conversion and its benefits.
• In the context of the UK renewable energy industry, describe the economic benefits of increasing biomass conversion.
• Identifying challenges in biomass conversion and devising strategies to overcome these challenges.

Topic Name: Examining the benefits of using solar energy and its role in addressing the global threat of climate change .

Aim of the study: The current study aims to investigate the benefits of using solar energy and how it is addressing the issue of climate change.

• To explain the advantages of using solar energy and its increasing use in various sectors.
• To demonstrate how solar energy can be used to address a global threat such as climate change.
• To provide a stringent set of recommendations for the most effective use of solar energy in combating climate change.

Topic Name: Investigating UK retail organisations’ use of renewable energy to meet environmental sustainability goals.

Aim of the Study: The purpose of this research is to assess the strategy of using renewable energy in the UK retail sector to achieve environmental sustainability goals.

• To express the importance of renewable energy sources in the UK retail industry.
• To investigate how retail organisations in the United Kingdom use renewable energy to achieve environmental sustainability goals.
• To share effective ideas on how UK retail organisations can use renewable energy sources effectively to achieve environmental sustainability goals.

Topic Name: A critical assessment of the growing concern for sustainability in the UK construction industry, which is driving the use of renewable energy.

Aim of the Study: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the growing concern for sustainability in the UK construction industry, which drives overall renewable energy consumption.

• To explain why the UK construction industry is becoming increasingly concerned about sustainability.
• To investigate how renewable energy consumption in the UK construction industry is increasing in tandem with the growing concern for sustainability.
• To encourage organisations in the UK construction industry to increase their use of renewable energy sources in order to meet sustainability goals.

Topic Name: Assessing the impact of solar energy on agricultural sustainability practices in the United Kingdom.

Aim of the Study: The current study aims to assess the effects of using solar energy in sustainability practises in the UK agriculture industry.

• To demonstrate the concept of solar energy consumption and its implications for environmental practices.
• To place the use of solar energy in the UK agriculture industry within the context of sustainability practices.
• To make recommendations for improving the use of solar energy and reaping its benefits in the UK agriculture industry.

How renewable energy affects the future of our planet. Use of biomass as a renewable energy source. The limitations of fossil fuels: the significance of renewable energy and its economic benefits. Methods for extracting power from flow-structure interactions.

A thesis statement example: Solar power is an excellent alternative energy source because it is renewable, cost-effective, and does not pollute the environment.

Three obstacles to renewable energy are: Putting energy storage in place. Traditional fossil-fuel plants operate at a reduced level, producing a consistent and predictable amount of electricity Bringing together distributed systems Renewable energy reporting

This was all about Renewable energy Dissertation Topics. For more information, subscribe to Leverage Edu and if you wish to study abroad, connect with our counsellors at 1800 57 2000 and book a 30-minute free session.

Vidisha Dewan

Graduated with English as a major, I’m a writing enthusiast. Writing helps me blend my passion and profession to achieve creative satisfaction. I am an opinionated person, but always open to change. Try to keep my work surroundings creative and fun, with space for constructive feedback.

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Renewable Energy Library Dissertation Research: Welcome

• 1. Introducing Dissertation Research
• 2. Identify: Key Research Concepts
• 3. Identify:Information Types
• 4. Find: Where to Search
• 5. Find: How to search
• 6. Find: Research Databases
• 7. Evaluate your search results
• 8. Reference your research resources This link opens in a new window
• 9. Getting help
• 10. Feedback

How to use this online guide

This guide introduces the skills and techniques you can use for effective library research for your dissertations and research projects.

Work through each section using the menu tabs above, or the Next button at the bottom of the page. 

There will be activities for you to complete as you go so that you can learn by doing and self test your learning.

This guide aims to ...

• Build your confidence in planning and conducting your research to support your dissertation
• Highlight the library help and support available to you as you conduct your research

Dissertation Workbook

You can download and use a dissertation  workbook to make notes as you progress through the tutorial.  By the end you'll have a plan you can use to help you complete your library research for your dissertation, project or research proposal.

• Dissertation workbook
• Next: 1. Introducing Dissertation Research >>
• Last Updated: Jan 10, 2024 12:29 PM
• URL: https://libguides.exeter.ac.uk/c.php?g=671058