Renewable energies and grid integration

Programme Overview

Energy transition is key to reducing GHG emissions and is strategic from an energy independence perspective. Renewable energies are an important part of the solution to these problems. Currently undergoing rapid development, renewable energies have technological, regulatory and economic characteristics that are driving transformation in the energy sector in terms of both production and management of the distribution network.

The specialisation in Renewable Energy and Grid Integration is based on the core disciplines taught at Centrale Nantes covering mature renewable energy technologies (wind, solar, hydropower) and emerging technologies (biomass, geoenergy, marine renewable energy) and their connection to the grid. Broadly speaking, the course will provide future engineers with the tools to understand all the challenges in the emerging renewable energy sector so that they can play an active role in this sector.

Contribution to sustainable development goals

SDG 7 - AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

SDG13 - CLIMATE ACTION

Learn more about Centrale Nantes' commitment to the 17 sustainable development goals

Admission

International students can follow this specialisation, taught mainly in French, via:
 

  • A double degree programme - Open to international students selected by our partner institutions. Selected students spend two years studying courses from the engineering programme at Centrale Nantes. This usually includes one year of the common-core engineering curriculum followed by one year of specialisation. Double degree students are typically accepted after successfully completing two or three years of higher education in their home institution.
  • The fast-track engineering programme: Open to students with a Bachelor's or equivalent degree in science. Our fast-track programme gives international students who are qualified to bachelor level the opportunity to gain the 'diplôme d'ingénieur' in just two years.
Course Content
2024/25 Academic Year
Autumn Semester (S7 or S9) Spring Semester (S8 or S10)
Control of electrical machines Socio-economic, regulatory and environmental issues
Major challenges of energy transition Hydropower
Wind energy I Emerging technologies
Wind energy II Smart grids for renewable energy
Power grid control Project: call for tender response 2
Digital environments for the energy sector
Power grid operation (taught in English)
Solar energy
Project: call for tender response 1


Download syllabus
 

Examples of past projects and internships

Project examples

  • Simulation of responding to a call for proposals for an electricity production project by a local authority (mixed production of wind power, photovoltaic energy, etc.). Response on different aspects: technical, managerial and commercial performance.

Internship examples

  • Pre-projet analysis of resources for a wind energy operator
  • Technical-financial comparison of power generation solutions in a consulting firm
  • Optimisation of an electricity distribution network
  • Sizing and optimisation of PV installations
  • Wind energy assistant project manager
  • Study of the effect of turbulence on offshore wind turbines
  • Assistant PV project manager
After the specialisation

Industry sectors

  • Energy conversion technology
  • Renewable energy production/operation (EDF, ENGIE)
  • Energy management
  • Research and development
  • Design office

Career prospects

  • Design office / consultancy
  • Research and development
  • Logistics
  • Production
  • Business, finance
  • Project development

Student feedback

Video of Clémence, a student in the Renewable energies and grid integration specialisation (video in French with English subtitles)
Video transcript

Pitch your specialisation: Clémence, Renewable energies and grid integration specialisation

I'm Clémence, I'm in my 4th year, having done a gap year. This year I'm following the "Renewable energies and grid integration" specialisation. Before joining Centrale Nantes, I did two years of classes at the Lycée Hoche in Versailles to prepare for the competitive entrance exams. 

20 seconds to pitch your specialisation: 

In this specialisation, we cover all the main renewable energy technologies as well as emerging technologies. We also look at the difficulties involved in integrating them into the grid and therefore all the problems related to energy transition. 

3 reasons to choose this specialisation: 

We tackle all aspects of energy transition, so the specialisation really provides global perspective on this. Secondly, it is the most relevant specialisation to start to work in renewable energies. The third reason is that even though the specialisation only opened this year, the teachers and the course supervisor are really motivated to offer the best course possible. 

Why Centrale Nantes?

I chose Centrale Nantes because it is very well placed in the rankings. Also, because I felt a real commitment to ecological transition. I had heard a lot of good things about the student associations and I was not disappointed when I came here. 

What's next? 

For my final internship, I'm going to work in a research laboratory on improving new generation photovoltaic panels. Then, if possible, I'd like to do a PhD that combines my two engineering programme specialisations in materials and renewable energy. 

Published on March 16, 2022 Updated on January 17, 2025