Loughborough University
The Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) at Loughborough University has been a member of EUREC Agency since 1998. Housed in the Angela Marmont Renewable Energy Laboratory, CREST has gained a world wide reputation in the field of renewable energy research and education. Administratively, CREST is part of the Electrical Engineering Department of Loughborough University.
CREST has run its own Masters of Science (MSc) postgraduate course on Renewable Energy Systems Technology since 1994. Students attending the core section of the European Master at Loughborough University will follow the lectures, tutorials and laboratories alongside CREST’s own MSc students. Upon their arrival at Loughborough, students register with Loughborough University as full time postgraduate students. They remain registered as Loughborough University students throughout the duration of the programme and their degree is awarded by Loughborough University. The course structure is module-based: each module lasts two weeks and covers a specific Renewable Energy discipline: Solar, Wind, Bioenergy and Water, in that order. The first week of each module consists of lectures, tutorials and the laboratory. The second week generally consists of self-studying and tutorials and provides time for writing up the laboratory report. Field trips are arranged at a convenient time.
Description of the European Master in RE at Loughborough (.doc)
Practical Information
Accommodation
Accommodation at loughborough is dealt with by the accommodation services. Since the European Master students will only be at Loughborough for four months, the accommodation service will arrange for limited short-term accommodation to be available. Students which do not manage to benefit from this service are advised to look for accommodation well in advance (at least one week ahead of the start of the semester). The price of a room in a shared house is typically between 300 and 400€/month.
Accommodation Services' contact numbers:
(On Campus): +44 (0) 1509 222259
(Off Campus): +44 (0) 1509 222258
Email: SAS@lboro.ac.uk
Health Insurance
Students from the European Economic Area are entitled to receive healthcare from the National Health Service. Students from outside the European Economic Area should take their own health insurance.
There is a compulsory 10£ fees for all students: this is to allow them to benefit from non-NHS healthcare on the campus such as phisiotherapy.
More information on health insurance are found on the registration pack sent to students.
International Students
International students can visit the International Students Home Page for information on town location, finances, help & support, etc.
Please note that the currency is the British Pound, whereas in the other countries where the course takes place it is the Euro.
Scholarships
Loughborough University offers a range of scholarships although not many will suit EU Masters students: Loughborough University Scholarships. You can also refer to the 'sponsorships' section of this web site.
Contact Persons
For specific queries regarding Loughborough please contact Julie Allen. For general inquiries please contact the EUREC Agency.
Julie Allen
PA/Executive Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 1509 227087
Fax: +44 (0) 1509 227118
E-mail: j.d.allen@lboro.ac.uk
CREST Website: www.lboro.ac.uk/crest
Postal Address of CREST: Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Loughborough University
Loughborough
Leicestershire LE11 3TU
United Kingdom
Research Activities
Research at CREST is focused on electricity generation from wind and solar energy and their integration into networks and systems. The research activities are structured into five groups:
A. Networks and Systems
Group leader: Murray Thomson
Research within this group covers:
- Network integration – embedded generation
- Deployment planning tools
- Stand-alone systems
- Desalination by reverse osmosis
B. Wind Power Systems Energy Research Group
Group leader: Dr Simon Watson
Research within this group covers:
- Wind forecasting and integration of wind energy
- Energy storage technology
- Wind resource modeling
- Condition monitoring of wind turbines
- Control and system integration of wind turbines
- Structural dynamics of wind turbines
- Wind turbine aerodynamics and design
C. Photovoltaic Systems
Group leader: Ralph Gottschalg
Research within this group covers:
- Grid integration of photovoltaics (PV)
- Performance characterisation of thin-film PV
- Spectral effects on thin film PV devices
- Combined heat & power concentrator systems
D. Building Integrated PV
Group leader: Professor David Infield
Most of the research in this field is carried out in the framework of the Faraday Partnership for the Integration of New and Renewable Energy in Buildings project. Particular areas of research interest include ventilated PV facades and the performance of back-ventilated PV roofs.
E. PV Materials and Devices
Group leader: Professor Ayodhya Tiwari
Research within this group is primarily concerned with thin film PV devices, on a range of substrates, although the use of thin films to enhance the performance of crystalline silicon is also an active area of interest. The latter work is supported by EPSRC and BP Solar. The PV materials cover CdTe, CIS and thin film micro-crystalline silicon. The primary aim is to reduce the cost of PV cells, and active collaboration with manufacturers and equipment manufacturers is important.
More information on research activities carried out at CREST can be found on www.lboro.ac.uk/crest