The smart grid is a modern form of the traditional power grid, which brings computer technology to a standard electricity grid; allowing easier communication between energy retailers, distributors, and customers.

Smart grids can help to integrate an increasing amount of renewable energy sources (RES) into the grid. RES present a challenge to traditional electricity grids because they are often both intermittent and difficult to predict. Smart grids help network companies to remotely anticipate and respond to problems so repair crews from your local distributor can fix power outages faster.

Energy companies and businesses are already exploring how to adopt RES into the grid but they lack Smart Grids management skills and knowledge among employees. This new MSc programme therefore offers a unique advantage to its graduates in an increasingly competitive job market with highly-sought expertise, giving you the skills you need to launch a career in this fast-growing sector.

The teaching on the course is research-led, and you will have opportunity to learn from the real-world, cutting-edge live projects. You'll also have the opportunity to undertake placements / internships with leading companies in the energy and smart grids sector, both in the UK and internationally 

Integrating renewable energy sources into the existing power systems in order to meet the governmental targets worldwide introduces several challenges for network operators.

This new programme aims to deliver skilled graduates able to meet these challenges, with the required knowledge and expertise in smart sustainable energy systems and the Internet of Things (IoT).

This programme is unique in its focus on the multi-disciplinary aspect of smart grids (i.e. combination of power and energy systems, Big-Data analytics, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and economics of smart grids).

The shortage of smart grids and energy systems expertise among employees and management is viewed by the industry as the biggest obstacle to integrate renewable sources more extensively.

There are thousands of vacant positions available for power system engineers across the UK. There is also a shortage of power systems and smart grids engineers in the UK according to the Home Office website (code 2123 for power system engineers). This also applies internationally, with most parts of the world actively looking to adopt renewable energy integration into the grid, and make the existing grid smart, secure, affordable, efficient and reliable.

Therefore, this programme offers tremendous job prospects for graduates, with a wide range of businesses, start-ups, governments, councils /municipalities and large conglomerates wanting to invest in the use of smart grids and renewable energy sources integration into the existing grids but struggling to find skills.

The programme offers unique advantages to its graduates in an increasingly competitive job market with highly sought skills. For example: power system and smart grid analysis, smart grids operation and economics, artificial intelligence, big-data analytics, control systems, environmental law, and sustainability in the built environment.