Wind Energy Systems

The study program Master Online Wind Energy Systems consists of four core elements:

• Fundamentals of mathematics and engineering for wind energy (30 ECTS)
• Two specialization areas: (1) Energy system technology or (2) Simulation and structural technology (Minimum 30 ECTS must be selected in one of the specializations)
• Additive key competences (management and law)
• Master's thesis (30 ECTS)
  

The Masters Programm, carrying 120 ECTS, is an occupational degree course, held in English, 100% online, and leads to a Master of Science (M. Sc.).

The participants: Potential target groups for the master’s program are scientists and engineers from research and industry or people who just finished their bachelor's degree who are looking for a professionals training and want to study wind energy either in the scope of a whole master or in single specialization certificates.

Admission requirements: The minimum entry requirements are a bachelor in relevant natural and engineering sciences and a 1-year work experience.

Degree: The participants receive a Master of Science (M. Sc.) degree from the University of Kassel. The degree title given to successful students at the end of the course is “M.Sc. in Wind Energy Systems”. This degree qualifies for further post graduate work towards PhD.

Accreditation: Accreditation is granted by the agency ASIIN. The master’s program Online M.Sc. Wind Energy Systems is successfully accredited by the agency ASIIN in 2015.

Application: if you are interested in the program, please contact us at wes@uni-kassel.de.  

»What I appreciate most about the WES programme is the ability to interact with educators deeply connected within the wind power industry. The partnership between Fraunhofer and Universität Kassel provides unique access to top quality professors, research, and industry opportunities.«
        Elliot Simon, USA, Technical Project Manager, Renewabl.es Consulting

»The class included a lot of detailed practical information on planning and construction of wind farms. It provided a good insight into the step by step development of wind farms. The assignments given in the class were based on the daily work and helped understanding the work of a wind farm developer.«
        Fabian Sondermann, Germany, M.Sc. Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency

»The study trip was a good opportunity not only to meet some professors and students of the program, but also to learn some facts about the manufacturing, testing and validation process of wind turbines and related subjects in the wind industry. Many thanks for the organisation!«
        Anahita Rahmanian, Iran

»I travelled from Buenos Aires to Kassel for the WES study trip and would do it again. I believe that the possibility to meet your fellow students and professors is very enriching for the online study program. Furthermore, we had the opportunity to meet the professionals and visit the laboratories that are at the vanguard of the wind energy industry. This combination of technical and social aspects makes the study trip really motivating for the people who are passionate about wind energy and technology. I would definitely recommend everyone to participate.«
        Pedro Grasso, Argentinien

»I enjoyed the week very much. First of all, it was nice to meet in person. I also finally had the chance to visit the University of Kassel. I think these kinds of technical trips are very good ways to understand the current situation in the wind industry. Also, visiting companies such as Enercon gives you an impression how wind energy companies work. This is important for students who try to decide for a PhD or industry. I also think that wes online should offer more real-life events such as conference invitations or company trainings.«
        Yetkin Sarikan, Türkei

The diploma 'Scientifically Oriented Fundamentals of Wind Energy Systems' provides a strong fundamental knowledge to understand economically and ecologically efficient wind energy transformation and to design new wind turbines or components of wind turbines beyond the state-of-the-art of wind engineering. Beside improving fundamental engineering knowledge, this certificate also serves as a basis for more technical or methodological oriented certificates or for studying the complete 'Online M.Sc. Wind Energy Systems' program.

Diploma Modules (Module Overview, selection of five from an offer of six modules)

• Design of Mechanical and Electrical Components
• Mathematics
• Application of Software Tools
• Solid Mechanics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Electrical Engineering

This diploma 'Electrical Engineering of Wind Energy Systems' deals with the main components of the electrical system. Issues like how to design, control and operate the electrical system in a wind energy converter will be covered. In this context questions are answered regarding the technical challenges and boundary conditions for the design and how it interacts with the drive train and the whole wind energy converter system and the wind farm.

Important: Basic knowledge in Matlab and in control engineering (Regelungstechnik) are recommended. The Electrical Engineering module should be assigned at the beginning of the certificate.

Diploma Modules (Module Overview)

• Design of Mechanical and Electrical Components
• Electrical Engineering
• Control and Operational Management for Wind Turbines and Wind Farms
• Energy Storage
• Technical and Economic Aspects of Grid Integration

Studying the diploma 'Computational Wind Energy Systems' requires the successful completion of the certificate 'Scientifically Oriented Fundamentals of Wind Energy Systems'. It provides a profound knowledge of computational methods used for the static and dynamic analysis of wind energy converters and the surrounding wind and water flows on an expert level. The goal of the certificate is not only to enable engineers to apply existing commercial software packages of structural and fluid mechanics in a sophisticated manner as basis for reliable prognoses of the mechanical behavior of wind turbines, but also to improve the quality of numerical methods and to develop more realistic models of wind energy systems. These aspects are fundamental ingredients for the engineering optimization of state-of-the-art wind turbines and their future innovative designs with a higher energy eciency, life time, degree of capacity utilization and robustness with regard to extreme load cases.

Diploma Modules (Module Overview)

• Theoretical Fluid Mechanics
• Computational Fluid Dynamic
• Linear Computational Structural Mechanics
• Non-Linear Computational Structural Mechanics

and additionally one of these modules: 

• Rotor Aerodynamic
• Strength Durability and Reliability

The fluctuation and more decentralized production of wind power require complex solutions for successful grid integration. The certificate 'Integration of Wind Power in the Electricity Supply System' gives you the opportunity to study the increasingly important issue of the integration of wind power into the power supply system.The certificate focuses on technical, administrative and legal barriers and challenges that must be considered for a succesful integration of wind power and other renewable energy and conventional technologies into the grid.

Diploma Modules (Module Overview)

• Energy Meteorology
• Micro Meteorology for Wind Engineers
• Energy Storage
• Technical and Economic Aspects of Grid Integration
• Energy Law
• Business Administration and Management of Wind Turbines and Wind Farms

Studying the diploma 'Fluid Mechanics of Wind Energy Systems' provides a profound knowledge of master level mathematics and fluid mechanics as well as computational methods used for the fluid mechanical analysis of wind energy converters for stationary and transient cases on an expert level. Furthermore, a strong knowledge about the aerodynamics of rotor blades will be facilitated. The goal of the certificate is not only to enable engineers to apply existing commercial software packages of computational fluid mechanics in a sophisticated manner as basis for reliable prognoses of the fluid flow around wind turbines, but also to improve the quality of numerical methods and to develop more realistic models of wind energy systems. These aspects are fundamental ingredients for the engineering optimization of state-of-the-art wind turbines and their future innovative designs with a higher energy efficiency, lifetime, degree of capacity utilization and robustness with regard to extreme load cases.

Diploma Modules (Module Overview)

• Mathematics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Theoretical Fluid Mechanics
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Rotor Aerodynamics

Studying the diploma will provide knowledge of classical, current and future numerical methods for the solution of advanced mechanical models of wind turbine structures and structural components. Engineers will be familiar with the interpretation of stress states in different materials and the consequences for structural safety and lifetime of wind turbines. The goal of the certificate is to recognize which combinations of models and numerical methods can be efficiently and trustworthily applied for special kinds of structural analyses. Also engineers will be familiar with the limitations of the models and numerical methods and they will overcome these limitations by writing their own partial programs for special tasks in their professional career.

Diploma Modules (Module Overview)

• Mathematics
• Solid Mechanics
• Linear Computational Structural Mechanics
• Non-Linear Computational Structural Mechanics
• Strength Durability and Reliability

The diploma 'Wind Energy Converter Systems' is focused on engineering, planning and managing aspects of wind turbine technology, wind turbines and wind farms. It provides the knowledge about classical and recently developed wind turbine components. Design and analysis methods for modern on- and oshore foundations, towers, rotor blades and nacelle systems will be taught. Modules about planning, management, administration of wind turbines and wind parks will complete the profiles.

Diploma Modules (Module Overview)

• Design of Mechanical and Electrical Components
• On- and Offshore Foundations
• Construction and Design of the Nacelle-Systems
• Rotor Blades
• Business Administration and Management of Wind Turbines and Wind Farms
• Planning and Construction of Wind Farms

The importance of wind energy is increasing in Africa, in the Middle East region and also in other countries with green decentralised energy demand. According to an estimate from the Global Wind Energy Council, 10.7 GW of wind power are due to be installed in African and Middle East countries between 2020 and 2024, which represents a 167% increase. Leading countries in this respect are Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia and Jordan. The purpose of this diploma course is to support this development through targeted capacity building. The AWE WES.online Diploma of Advanced Studies "Autonomous Wind Energy Production and Supply" is therefore aimed at students from the above mentioned regions and those with a demand for decentralized green energy who wish to further promote the expansion of wind energy in their home country.