Energy & Renewables

The International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) is a specialist arm of the Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University. ICIT was established in 1989 to carry out advanced research, postgraduate training and consultancy in marine resource management and related issues.

Employability

Our renewable energy development programmes are specifically designed to address the emerging skills shortage in this sector, and there is a wide range of opportunities for graduates of our marine resource management programme. Employers include the British Antarctic Survey, the United Nations and Scottish National Heritage.

Our programmes

We currently offer 3 masters programmes.

MSc Marine Renewable Energy

Marine renewable energy encompasses offshore wind, wave and tidal energy. Internationally, marine energy is set to play an important part in addressing future energy security problems and global warming. A recent UK assessment concluded that the exploitation of only a modest part of the available offshore energy resource could generate 145,000 jobs and over £900,000bn of investment. However marine energy activity is not confined to the UK. Pressure for space onshore means that the largest European wind energy developments are now offshore where turbines achieve greater efficiency and there is less competition for space. Offshore wind energy is a commercial reality with thousands of professionals now employed delivering some of the largest renewable energy projects in the world. Wave and tidal power represent the next frontier in marine energy with new technologies bridging the gap between prototype design and full scale deployment. Globally many countries with marine energy resources have ambitions plans to capture their wave and tidal energy resources (e.g. UK, Norway, France, Portugal, Spain, China, India, Taiwan, USA, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa).

See the full MSc Marine Renewable Energy programme description for entry requirements and how to apply.

Marine Renewable Energy Scholarship.

MSc Marine Resource Management

As man increases his demands upon the oceans, their sustainable development will depend on a rational management strategy for the total resource. The professional working in the marine environment is constantly required to be multidisciplinary, and able to appreciate the conflicts that arise between conservation and development. The MRM course considers the sustainable development, use, conservation and management of marine resources.

Core themes include: Marine environmental systems; Resource management and conservation; Valuation and project management.

See the full MSc Marine Resource Management programme description for entry requirements and how to apply.

 

MSc Renewable Energy Development

In many respects the current provision of training in the renewables field mirrors one of the key strategic problems facing large-scale renewable energy provision in the UK. Traditionally, energy production (coal, gas, nuclear) has been located near centres of demand and consequently the national electricity grid is strong near centres of population becoming progressively weaker towards the periphery of the country.

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for islands!) the bulk of our renewables resource in located around the edge of the country. If this vast resource is to be effectively harnessed it will require significant alteration to the national grid. In a similar way most Universities that are trying to deliver renewables courses are also distant from the actual resource.

This is a conversion course suitable for students from a variety of backgrounds it offers hands-on experience not achievable in a conventional campus setting.

See the full MSc Renewable Energy Development programme description for entry requirements and how to apply.