What is Renewable Energy Engineering?

Renewable Energy Engineering is concerned with the design, development and commercialisation of applications to support the sustainable use of energy of all kinds for private and commercial purposes.

Energy sources include sustainable use of conventional electrical technologies, solar cell technology, biomass, wind energy and tidal power generation amongst many possibilities. The efficient design and cost effective implementation of all possible energy systems is essential to sustainable development of our modern way of life.

The Renewable Energy Engineering program at UNSW provides an important opportunity for students who wish to train in a number of emerging technologies of strategic importance to Australia, and worldwide.

Career Opportunities

The renewable energy industry is booming internationally with an annual growth rate exceeding 30% per annum. This growth rate is expected to be maintained if not increased over the coming decade, fuelled by government initiatives and falling prices that accompany the economies of scale. For example, in Australia, the government is targeting an increase of 2% in absolute terms of electricity generated from renewable energy sources by 2010. In Europe, the European Parliament's White Paper requires a further 6% in absolute terms of electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 2010. Similar targets are being established in other countries with governments demonstrating their willingness to offer whatever subsidies are necessary to ensure targets are met. For example, in one European country, long-term electricity buy-back prices as high as 0.99 DM per kWh are being offered for "green" electricity being fed into the electricity grid. In other countries, subsidies as high as 70% are being offered towards the purchase price of some renewable energy systems.

Several international studies have examined the likely job creation to take place in the renewable energy industry over the coming decade. The nett job creation is likely to be many hundreds of thousands across all areas of the renewable energy industry. Even now there is plenty of evidence of a significant shortage of appropriately trained engineers to provide for the needs of this rapidly growing industry.

Combined Degrees

Combined degrees in conjunction with Renewable Energy Engineering are available in Commerce, Computer Science and Science.

UNSW Handbook

For detailed information on the course structure, please visit the UNSW Online Handbook (www.handbook.unsw.edu.au)

Scholarships

A comprehensive list of scholarships with detailed information on value, tenure, eligibility, conditions, application procedures and closing dates are available on the UNSW Scholarship www.scholarships.unsw.edu.au

Further information

The School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering
The University of New South Wales
UNSW Sydney NSW 2052
Tel: (02) 9385 6155
Fax: (02) 9662 4240
Email: pv.course@unsw.edu.au
Web: www.pv.unsw.edu.au

[Top of Page]