The master’s degree in Energy Engineering from UCLouvain promotes a multidisciplinary education and the ability to manage interface issues arising from the integration of various disciplines within equipment or systems.
It combines the fields of electricity and mechanics into a coherent whole, where fundamental knowledge is emphasised to facilitate the deepening or reorientation of expertise throughout one’s career.
Students will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to become:
- Specialists in energy
- Practitioners capable of applying their skills and using advanced research and technology tools
- Managers who lead projects within teams.
The master’s programme in Energy Engineering thus trains engineers who can keep up with technical advancements and adapt to the evolving demands of the job market and the changes within companies.
Polytechnic and multidisciplinary, the training provided by the École Polytechnique de Louvain (EPL) focuses on acquiring competencies that blend theory and practice. This includes aspects of analysis, design, manufacturing, production, research, development, and innovation, while integrating ethical considerations and sustainable development.
On successful completion of this programme, each student is able to :
1. Demonstrate mastery of a solid body of knowledge in basic science and engineering science allowing the student to learn and solve problems pertaining to the use of different energy vectors, transformation, transport, storage, or energy management (axis 1).
1.1. Identify and use concepts, laws and appropriate reasoning from a variety of fields in mechanics and electricity to solve a given problem:
- Electricity (in the broad sense)
- Electrical energy (transportation, quality, management, etc.)
- Electrotechnics (conversion, controls, actuation)
- Electronics (digital electronics, instrumentation, sensors)
- Automation
- Thermodynamics and thermal engineering
- Fluid dynamics and heat transfer
- Energy systems: production, distribution, heat, and energy efficiency
1.2. Identify and use modelling and calculation tools to solve problems associated with the aforementioned fields.
1.3. Verify problem solving results especially regarding orders of magnitude and/or units (in which the results are expressed).
2.Organise and carry out an applied engineering process to develop a product (and/or service) that meets a specific energy-related need or addresses a specific energy-related issue (axis 2).
2.1. Analyse a problem, take stock of features and constraints, and formulate specifications in a field where the technical and economic limits are considered.
2.2. Model the problem and design one or more technical solutions incorporating mechanical, electrical, electrotechnical, or thermal aspects and meeting the specifications.
2.3 Evaluate and classify solutions with regard to all the specification criteria: efficiency, feasibility, ergonomic quality, and environmental security, and environmental and social sustainability. (for example: too expensive, too complex, too dangerous, too difficult to manipulate).
2.4. Test a solution using a mock-up, a prototype or a numerical model.
2.5. Formulate recommendations to improve a technical solution, either to reject it or to explain the improvements that need to be made in order to turn it into an operational product.
3. Organise and carry out a research project to learn about a physical phenomenon or a new problem relating to the field of energy (axis 3).
3.1. Document and summarise the existing body of knowledge in the field of mechanics and electricity.
3.2. Suggest a model and/or experimental device (for example in the field of thermal regulation) by first constructing a mathematical model, then using it to build a laboratory device capable of simulating the behavior of the system in all its complexity, and finally testing relevant hypotheses.
3.3. Synthesise conclusions in a report that shows the key parameters and their influence on the behaviour of the phenomenon under study (choice of forms and materials, physio-chemical environment, conditions for use).
3.4. Think disruptively and creatively, open to plurality.
4.1. Frame and explain the project’s objectives considering the issues, constraints and domain interfaces that characterise the project’s environment.
4.2. Collaborate with peers on a multidisciplinary topic (mechanics and electricity) to create a work schedule (and resolve any resulting conflicts).
4.3. Work in a multi/inter/transdisciplinary environment, alongside other stakeholders with different perspectives, or experts from different fields or specialties, being able to put things in perspective in order to identify the contributions and limitations of each discipline, dialogue on the same project, and overcome any difficulties or conflicts encountered in the team.
4.4. Make decisions as a team when there are choices to be made: whether on technical solutions or on the organisation of work to bring the project to a successful conclusion.
5. Communicate effectively (speaking or writing in French or a foreign language) with the goal of carrying out assigned projects (axis 5).
5.1. Identify the needs of all parties: question, listen and ensure the understanding of all the dimensions of the request and not just the technical aspects.
5.2. Present your arguments, advise and convince your interlocutors (technicians, colleagues, clients, superiors, specialists from other disciplines or general public) by adopting their language.
5.3. Communicate through graphics and diagrams: interpret a diagram, present work results, structure information.
5.4. Read and analyse different technical documents related to the profession (standards, drawings, specifications).
5.5. Draft written documents that take into account contextual requirements and social conventions.
5.6. Use modern communication techniques to give convincing oral presentations.
6. Rigorously mobilise their scientific and technical skills and their critical sense to analyse complex situations by adopting a systemic and transdisciplinary approach, and to adapt their technical responses to the current and future challenges of the socio-economic-ecological transition, thus actively contributing to the transformation of society (axis 6).
6.1. Acquire a knowledge base on the socio-ecological issues and use multi-criteria tools to evaluate the sustainability of a technology, in quantitative and/or qualitative terms.
6.2. Define, specify and analyse a problem in all its complexity, taking into account its various dimensions (social, ethical, environmental, etc.), scales (time, place) and uncertainty.
6.3. Identify, propose and activate engineering levers that can contribute to sustainable development and transition (eco-design, robustness, circularity, energy efficiency, etc.).
6.4. Demonstrate critical thinking vis-à-vis technical solutions or methodological approach regarding the involved actors, be aware of its limitations, and take a personal stand on ethical, environmental and societal issues.
6.5. Evaluate one’s own work.