Renewable Energy Engineering

Renewable energy engineering addresses one of the defining technological challenges of the twenty-first century: how to generate the energy that modern societies require without the carbon emissions that are driving climate change. The field encompasses wind energy, solar photovoltaics and thermal systems, tidal and wave energy, bioenergy and hydrogen, as well as the grid systems, energy storage technologies and smart controls that allow variable renewable sources to meet consistent demand. Engineers in this field combine thermodynamic, electrical and mechanical knowledge with an understanding of the policy and market frameworks that shape energy systems.

At the University of Exeter this programme includes a foundation year, making the full course four years full time, and is accredited by the Energy Institute on behalf of the Engineering Council to fully meet the academic requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meet the requirements for Chartered Engineer. This professional accreditation confirms that the degree meets the standards expected by the engineering profession and is a meaningful credential for graduates seeking professional recognition. You will develop competence across the engineering principles underlying renewable energy technologies, including fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical engineering and systems engineering, alongside the analysis of energy resources, grid integration and energy policy.

You will develop both theoretical understanding and practical engineering skills, learning to design, analyse and evaluate renewable energy systems in real-world contexts. Exeter's location in the South West, a region with significant renewable energy resources and industry, enriches the programme's practical relevance.

Graduates move into careers as renewable energy engineers, energy analysts, project developers, systems engineers and consultants across wind, solar, tidal, bioenergy and grid sectors. Postgraduate study in renewable energy, energy engineering or a related discipline is also a well-established route.