At Newcastle, we have a range of scientists, engineers, environmentalists and social scientists who are at the forefront of research that addresses some of the key energy issues facing the world today.
Based in the Sir Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research, our work focuses on finding new ways of meeting growing energy needs in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. This includes developing community-based initiatives. For example, following the successful drilling of a 1,000m geothermal borehole in County Durham, our scientists and engineers have now drilled down to nearly 2,000m in Newcastle itself in order to harness heat from groundwater to provide renewable, clean energy for business and homes across the city centre. Other staff are working with industry on large-scale initiatives that can be applied to large plant operations. For example, a commercial scale Anaerobic Digester (AD) unit, which will be used for research and demonstration purposes, has been built at the University’s Cockle Park Farm as part of the Centre for Renewable Energy from Land (CREEL) project.
We can supervise MPhil and PhD projects in topics that relate to our main areas of research, which are: bioenergy; novel geo-energy; energy conversion, storage and distribution; tri-generation and thermal energy systems; and social impact and policy. As a research student you will have a dedicated supervisory team who will provide advice and guidance throughout your studies. You will also participate in the comprehensive research training and development programme offered by the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering. Depending on your chosen topic, your research may include industrial placements or time at other universities in Europe or overseas. We receive funding for a limited number of PhD studentships and these are advertised when they are available.
At Master’s level we offer flexible learning programmes in renewable energy (REFLEX) and renewable energy, enterprise and management (REEM). Both programmes can be taken full time in one year and offer a range of flexible part-time options that can fit around the work schedules of professionals who are already working in the energy industry. REFLEX has an engineering focus and provides training in mechanical, electrical, chemical and marine/offshore engineering, photovoltaics, geothermal energy, economics and policy. It is accredited by the Energy Institute, IMarEST, IMechE, IET and IChemE. REEM is for those who want to create or work in a renewable energy business and covers issues such as: renewable energy resources and technologies; starting and running a business; managing renewable energy projects; the environmental impact of renewable energy exploitation. It also examines the political and ethical dimensions of renewable energy development.