School of Environment, Resources, and Development

ENERGY

Since 1979, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has been engaged in training energy specialists in response to the regional needs for developing capability, and for efficient development and management of the energy sector. The objective of energy studies at AIT is to train professionals to serve in national and international institutions, research, planning and development departments of energy ministries, energy utilities, energy companies, industries, energy conservation agencies and consulting firms, and educational and research institutions. The Energy Field of Study works within the framework of the School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) of AIT. The focus of energy studies at AIT is on the following areas: energy and the environment, renewable energy and energy efficiency, energy systems (supply and demand) management, energy economics and planning, electric power systems management, and restructuring of energy industries.

The Energy Field of Study at AIT is interdisciplinary in nature, encompassing technology, planning and management aspects to address the current and emerging needs of th energy sector. Students can specialize in three areas: Electric Power System Management (EPSM); Energy Economics and Planning (EEP); and Energy Technology (ET).

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The preferred fields of undergraduate study for candidates seeking admission to the Master’s and Diploma programs are:
• Electrical engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Industrial engineering
• Civil engineering
• Physics
• Economics
• Management and public administration (with relevant energy background)

Applicants to the Doctoral program should have a Master’s degree in energy-related field with a good academic performance. The normal entry semester is August.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Electric Power System Management The objective of Electric Power system Management (EPSM) is to prepare graduates with knowledge and skill in operational management of power utilities. This area of specialization covers the emerging issues of evolving electric utility business environment, with its changing levels of uncertainty, regulations and competition. More specifically, it deals with issues in the organization and finance of a power utility, regulatory development, demand-side management, power system operation & control, power system dynamics & stability; and power system restructuring. A simulation laboratory, supported with the necessary hardware and software facilities, complements the degree program in providing computer tools for power system analysis, simulation, planning, optimization and management.

Energy Economics and Planning This area of specialization prepares graduates for positions in economics of planning departments of energy ministries, energy companies, electric/gas utilities, independent power producers (IPPs), energy service companies (ESCOs) or consulting firms. It covers fundamental techniques in energy planning at the national and sectoral levels (e.g. energy demand analysis and forecasting, and energy supply system modeling), economic appraisal of energy projects, energy and environmental policy analysis, electricity economics and planning, oil and natural gas economics, energy pricing, environmental considerations in energy planning and emerging issues in restructuring and deregulation of energy industries. The activities of this field are linked with international, regional and national projects on energy economics and planning which provide and appropriate framework for practical training.

Energy Technology Energy technology aims to train graduates for position sin national and international institutions, research and development departments of industries and energy utilities, energy conservation agencies and consulting firms. Energy Technology focuses on Renewable Sources of Energy (RSE) and Rational Use of Energy (RUE). The RSE encompasses the fundamentals and practical aspects of solar thermal and photovoltaic conversion, thermo-chemical conversion of biomass, other renewable energy sources and the environment. The topics covered in RUE are fundamental of energy analysis and system optimization, energy conservation, energy management in industries and clean energy technology. A major emphasis of current research in the Energy Technology is on mitigating environmental impacts through rational use of energy enrgy and harnessing renewable source of energy.

Semester August 2009
Course Outline and Description Courses Timetable
Semester January 2010
Course Outline and Description

King HRD Scholarship (More...)

Students of this field can also specialize in the area of Cleaner Production (CP).

To apply, click here to go to Admissions Process and Application.