What is the BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering
The Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering is a full-time, four year, honours degree course of study that can be chosen within the Engineering Common Entry Route. The Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering programme in SETU Waterford investigates energy and its uses in areas such as sustainable low energy building design, low and zero carbon heat and power generation technologies (including renewables), energy management, energy storage and carbon emissions. The programme is accredited by Engineers Ireland and the Energy Institute.
Reasons to choose BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering
Become an engineer who designs energy systems, optimizes energy performance, understands alternative energy technologies and environmental impact. With a 100% graduate employment rate, the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering is for individuals who have an interest in energy, who care about the environment and who want to contribute to saving our planet. Currently, there is a shortage of qualified engineers resulting in graduates having more job choice, with many securing employment before they complete their final exams.
The course is dedicated to investigating energy and its uses in areas such as sustainable low energy building design, building energy performance and analysis, energy production, low and zero carbon heat and power generation technologies, and energy policy and legislation. The early stages of the course are designed to introduce the students to the fundamentals of maths, engineering, science and technology that underpin the study of engineering in general and equip them with the knowledge required to undertake a more specific study of engineering in relation to sustainable energy systems.
Work Placement
In year 3, semester 2, the majority of students are placed with some of Ireland's leading engineering companies and energy providers for a period of six months. These paid placements gives the students a taste of what professional practice is all about, how the industry operates and how theoretical knowledge is applied in practice. Opportunities to complete placement abroad are also available with previous students working for companies in England, Scotland, Germany and Saudi Arabia. Students also have the option to choose to do an Energy Related Project instead of work placement.
Become an Energy Engineer
No two days as an energy engineer are ever the same. Energy engineers work collaboratively with architects, engineers of other disciplines, planners and other construction professionals to complete a variety of projects relating to power generation, energy reduction, carbon abatement and energy storage, and a variety of buildings, with projects including schools, offices, hospitals, data centres, pharmaceutical plants and many more. Creating such buildings that function effectively and finding energy solutions that work makes for a challenging but very rewarding career.
As an energy engineer you may either be office or site-based, but most will spend their time in a range of locations. Typical office tasks will involve producing energy efficient designs and preparing drawings in 2D and 3D, computer modelling and simulation of buildings, and researching new technologies. Outside the office, you will meet with clients and work with architects to review designs, visit construction sites and meet with manufacturers to explore new products. Energy engineers need to be able to work as part of a team, have an analytical mind and enjoy problem-solving. Strong capabilities in IT, building information modelling (BIM) software, computer-aided design (CAD) and drawing are essential.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Engineering | BIM 1 |
| Engineering Computing | Engineering Maths 2 |
| Engineering Maths 1 | Engineering Physics 2 |
| Engineering Professionalism | Management for Engineers |
| Engineering Physics 1 | Mechanics 1 |
| Land Surveying & Sustainable Energy |
Year 2
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| BIM 2 & Mechanical Services Design 1 | BIM 3 & Mechanical Services Design 2 |
| Engineering Maths 3 | Thermodynamics |
| Heat Transfers in Buildings | Electrical Services Design |
| Mechanical Building Services | Engineering Maths 4 |
| Sustainable Heat & Power Generation | Materials for Sustainable Design |
| Engineering Finance | Introduction to Project Management |
Year 3
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
| Fluid Mechanics | Dynamic Thermal Simulation |
| Computer Programming for Energy Engineers | Energy Design Project 1 |
| Law for Engineers | Mathematical Modelling & Statistics |
| Construction Health and Safety | Energy Systems Engineering Work Placement |
| 2 Electives |
Year 4
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
|---|---|
| Dissertation 1 | Dissertation 2 |
| Control of Energy Systems | Energy Design Project 2 |
| Electrical Power Generation & Transmission | Industrial HVAC Systems |
| BIM 4- Building Services Applications | Sustainable Energy Recovery & Utilization |
| 2 Electives | 2 Electives |
Leaving Cert: Entry requirements for the BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O2/H6
Advanced and Equivalent Entry for BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering:
Students who complete other engineering courses at SETU, or another third level institution, at ordinary degree level or equivalent, may apply to transfer onto this course at the third year stage. Students who complete level 6 higher certificate programmes in engineering may apply for entry into this course at the second year stage.
BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering career opportunities
Currently there is a huge shortage of qualified energy engineers. Almost 100% of BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering graduates have found employment in the energy sector in the last 5 years, many securing employment before they complete their final exams. Energy engineering graduates are highly employable and are actively recruited by a range of companies (see below) working in sectors such as sustainable power generation, low energy building design, building energy systems design, energy management, energy modelling and simulation or with energy agencies or government bodies.
Graduates from the BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career within the energy sector either in Ireland or abroad. Graduates may find employment as:
A Design Energy Engineer
- Analyse the thermal performance of buildings
- Design all the internal energy systems inside buildings: heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical power, lighting.
- Determine the energy requirements of buildings.
- Build 3-D models of these systems using BIM software
- Simulate the performance of the building when these systems are installed.
- Design electrical and thermal power systems for buildings.
An Energy Manager
- Manage the operation of the energy systems in a large scale facility.
- Monitor energy consumption patterns in buildings.
- Undertake energy audits.
- Investigate energy reduction measures, monitor and log results.
A Specialist Low Energy Design Consultant
- Advise clients and Architects on low energy design alternatives for buildings.
- Advise clients on renewable energy technology alternatives.
- Perform energy audits of buildings and facilities and prepare BER certificates.
- Use energy design software to analyse the energy performance of alternative designs.
A Site Engineer
- Work on large scale multi-million euro projects supervising and coordinating the installation of mechanical and electrical energy systems.
- Commission the energy systems to ensure they operate at maximum efficiency.
Follow on Study for BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering graduates
Graduates from this programme may continue their studies at masters degree level. There are a number of masters degree programmes available in the School of Engineering in SETU Waterford including:
MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering
BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering career opportunities
Currently there is a huge shortage of qualified energy engineers. Almost 100% of BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering graduates have found employment in the energy sector in the last 5 years, many securing employment before they complete their final exams. Energy engineering graduates are highly employable and are actively recruited by a range of companies (see below) working in sectors such as sustainable power generation, low energy building design, building energy systems design, energy management, energy modelling and simulation or with energy agencies or government bodies.
Graduates from the BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career within the energy sector either in Ireland or abroad. Graduates may find employment as:
- A specialist in power generation, energy storage and energy recovery
- An energy systems/building services systems design consultant
- A specialist low energy building design professional
- An energy manager/ facilities manager for a large company
- A building energy assessor
- A expert in BIM and building energy simulation
- A site engineering responsible for the installation of all energy systems for a project.
Stream Leader
Mr Colm Tynan
Programme Leader, BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering -
Call: +35351302069
Email: [email protected]
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