Chemical Technology: Clean Fossil and Alternative Fuels Energy
The MSc programme “Clean Fossil and Alternative Fuels Energy” offered by the Faculty of Energy and Fuels AGH University of Science and Technology focuses on the important aspect of energy production – the application of fossil and alternative fuels, among them coal, biomass and shale gas. Coal, although a fossil fuel, is believed to be a good medium term solution for energy production as it is an abundant energy resource, which is available at a fairly stable price and comes from many international suppliers, thus guaranteeing energy security. However, as fossil fuels produce a lot of pollutants, among them CO2, and thus are made responsible for degradation of environment and climatic changes, new and modern technologies are necessary – Clean Fossil and Alternative Fuels Energy. Along these lines new specialists will be educated who do not only understand but may also apply and further develop methods which may use not only coal to produce energy but also other solid fuels, such as biomass, or alternative fuels such as shale gas. Such specialists will have knowledge both in energy technologies and in chemical technologies. The program focuses on energy and chemical aspects, with special stress laid on advanced coal technologies, gasification of coal and biomass, catalytic technologies of fuel processing, environmental protection, etc. Additionally, courses on planning and forecasting in energy systems, energy policy, sustainable energy development, renewable energy and fuel cells etc. are offered.
Course duration:
The standard program lasts 3 semesters, but the students may also apply to study in 4 semester program. The latter program has the above mentioned courses during first two semesters and additionally all students spend the 3rd and 4th semester at a foreign partner university (Portugal). The former program offers Polish M.Sc. diploma in chemical technology, the latter may lead to a double diploma.
In case of fthe 4-semester program, the curriculum is broadened in Year 2 to obtain a‘finished” specialist in Clean Fossil and Alternative Fuels Energy, supplemented by the good knowledge in chemical fuels or renewables field (AGH <--> IST). The inclusion of renewable or chemical fuel-based technologies is extremely important for a solid fuel specialist, because it will allow him/her to take reasonable decisions in the professional life – it will allow to answer the question, if a certain coal, biomassor shale gas-based technology is the appropriate solution or if renewable or chemical-fuel based energy production should be chosen instead, taking into account both political, societal and economic reasons. Furthermore the sustainable development of solid fuel-based technologies has to be integrated in the market together with the renewable and/or chemical fuels solutions and the professional must possess the necessary skills to understand such connection and integration. Undoubtedly, these skills cannot be separated as they are the guarantee of a sustainable technological implementation according to the demands of the 21. century.
More details: http://kic-innoenergy.com/clean-fossil/
Requirements:
BSc in a cognate discipline or equivalent document, appropriate knowledge of English.
For more information please contact:
Faculty of Energy and Fuels
Karol Sztekler, DSc
e-mail: sztekler@agh.edu.pl