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

► 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.
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• 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.
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Course Content

2023/24 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

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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