Customized skills for a climate-neutral energy industry
The energy transition has no speed limit. With the Renewable Energy Act 2023, the German government wants to accelerate the expansion of renewable energies in the electricity sector. By 2030, at least 80 percent of the electricity required is to come from renewable energies and almost 100 percent just five years later. This is a daring undertaking because in 2021 it was only 42 percent.
At the same time, the demand for electricity is rising in industry, heat supply and in transport - everywhere there is a move away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. What do we need now to manage the energy transition?
This is exactly where the HECTOR School comes in: In the part-time master's program "Energy Engineering & Management", students acquire knowledge with which they can shape the transformation of the energy industry. KIT has the competences and experience to offer research-oriented teaching and to convey the contents in a way that is appropriate for the target group. "You have to cover the entire process chain from the generation of energy to transport, distribution, business models and utilization, because everything depends on each other," explains Judith Elsner.
The best of both worlds
Due to the direct connection to the research of the KIT and the close exchange with the economy, the curriculum always has its finger on the pulse. The lecturers are KIT scientists and for some special topics experts from the business world provide support. One of the ten modules takes place in Spain at the Escuela Superior de Administración y Dirección de Empresas (ESADE) in Barcelona. The management modules are taken by all master's students of the HECTOR School together, which enables an interdisciplinary exchange.
Bright minds from around the world and win-win for all
The broad diversity of students at the HECTOR School promotes interdisciplinary thinking and new perspectives. HECTOR School students come from all over the world, whether male or female, career starters or experienced engineers and business managers. Such a working environment promotes the students' ability to work in a team and their international competence. To ensure practical relevance case studies, research, laboratory work and project presentations are executed. Since the students are in their jobs at the same time, the transfer into the company succeeds quickly.
An alumnus at the virtual power plant
For Simon Schweda studying was a "good kicker," as he says. He is now Chief Product Officer (CPO) of a virtual power plant operated by EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG and is responsible for the development and management of all products and services. Virtual power plants are online platforms that primarily gather green energy from larger and smaller operators of wind power, biogas and photovoltaic (PV) plants, optimize it and distribute it to consumers. The goal is to provide as many electricity producers as possible with easy access to the energy industry and thus to forward the energy transition. A very complex task, because various needs must be satisfied here. "At the HECTOR School, I acquired the technical understanding to be able, for example, to speak at eye level with project planners and to understand their problems - with good services, we can solve a lot of things," reports Simon Schweda. He also appreciates the network that has been created: "The short lines to the lecturers and the friendly connections to other alumni in all corners of the world enrich me both professionally and personally." With his know-how and commitment, Simon Schweda is now giving back to EnBW what it has invested in his development.
Get advice at an early stage
The part-time master's program at the HECTOR School is tailored to junior executives. Admission requirements are a bachelor's, master's or diploma degree as well as first work experience.
Together with the companies and interested skilled workers, the HECTOR Schools develops individual solutions: How can continuing education be integrated into the work organization? Or how can it be combined with family life? The dates for the ten two-week modules are already fixed a year before the start of the course. This creates planning security. It is worthwhile to contact the HECTOR School early on and and get advice. Or simply contact the alumni via LinkedIn - the alumni network is very active and helpful.
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The energy transition is associated with many challenges which require special skills and knowledge. Energy Engineering and Management covers all these aspects providing the skills to successfully face the evolving working environment.
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