About this program
Smart Grids, Electrical Engineering
Electrification of energy system and whole society is the most important tool for mitigating the climate change. Increasing penetration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, electric vehicles and heat pumps is needed to reduce fossil carbon emissions and to reduce total energy usage. Huge investments and development are ongoing on these areas at the moment globally.
Smart grids are designed to enhance the effectiveness, stability and reliability of the electricity systems and to integrate distributed energy resources into system management. They are essential for increasing the share of renewable energy sources without compromising competitiveness and system security.
The Master's program in Smart Grids develops systems thinking skills and provides students with a comprehensive range of technical design and analysis skills in electrical power engineering. Suitable backgrounds include Bachelor of Science (Technology) degrees in electrical power engineering, power electronics, electricity markets, energy management, renewable energy sources or similar.
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Admission requirements
General eligibility
To be eligible to apply to a master’s program at Tampere University, you must have:
- Bachelor’s degree - nationally recognized first cycle degree
- an applicable bachelor’s degree at a university or a university of applied sciences in Finland
- a bachelor's degree completed in a university outside Finland which provides eligibility for equivalent University master’s degree studies in the country in which it was awarded.
- with a minimum scope of 180 ECTS credits, three to four years of full-time study
- from a relevant field for the master’s degree program that you’re applying to
- from a recognised institution of higher education
- A good command of the English language for academic purposes.
Program-specific eligibility criteria
The previous degree should be from a field closely related to the Master's program you are applying to. In the Master’s program in Electrical Engineering the previous degree has to be in one of the following (or highly related) fields:
- electrical engineering or other applicable field with proficiency in mathematics, physics and elementary programing skills
For more information about admission requirement, please visit the university website.
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Learn moreProgram content
The studies in Smart Grids combine technical knowledge and skills related to electric power engineering with broader viewpoints of control, electricity markets and ICT/automation. The study module and courses explore existing practices and possible future ideas to design, implement and maintain smart grids, which are a critical infrastructure of future electricity systems. The study module includes two options that allows students to choose the focus area and to deepen their practical knowledge and skills in the field. Our University conducts research in various fields related to smart grids, and new knowledge created through research is integrated into teaching. The courses combine theoretical understanding and analysis with the "learning by doing" approach of computer simulations and laboratory assignments.
We offer our students the opportunity for a broad, cross-disciplinary education. A rich variety of minor studies and supplementary courses are available as well as the opportunity to concentrate purely on major studies. In fact, each degree is a unique combination of studies that the individual student has found most interesting.
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Tuition
Tuition fee for non-EU/EEA citizens: 12000 € per academic year.
You will not be required to pay the fee if you are:
- an EU/EEA citizen
- equivalent to EU/EEA citizen (i.e. citizen of Switzerland)
- already reside in Finland (a continuous A or a permanent P/P-EU residence permit), or have an EU Blue Card issued in Finland. The exempting residence permit must be valid when you are applying for studies and at least until 1 August i.e. when the study right commences. Please note that a residence permit in another EU/EEA country does not exempt you from the tuition fee.
Qualification
Degree earned
Master of Science (Technology)
Extent of studies
120 ECTS
Study objectives
The scope of the Master's program in Smart Grids includes everything from component level to networks (distribution and transmission grids) and systems (electricity market and ICT/automation).
While the renewable electricity is cost-efficient to produce and deliver, the storage of variable renewable electricity in large scale is still a challenge. Traditional load following control principle of electricity system, must be changed to direction of production following, where demand response, batteries and so call sector coupling will be utilized for power system balancing together with the control of generators. The systemic change of whole electricity system requires strong technical knowledge of electricity technology and system, development of novel electricity and flexibility markets and application of latest ICT, control, signal processing, etc. technologies to name few of them. However, the most important is to have will and courage to rethink decades old traditions.
Smart grid is a concept to design and operate future electricity system, which is tightly integrated with flexibility services provided by prosumers, aggregators, microgrids and energy communities. Electricity system becomes a system of systems, where several subsystems are cooperating. All these changes will impact to all system layers from technical component layer to functional and business layers of all electricity system stakeholders like transmission and distribution system operators, energy retailers, producers and consumers/prosumers.
Continuing studies
Many of our graduates go on to pursue a doctoral degree (PhD) in Finland or abroad.
Career paths
After completing the program, you will be qualified to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in different fields of electric power systems and smart grids. You will have the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in industry or continue your studies towards a doctorate (PhD) in Finland or abroad.
Companies that manufacture electrical and specialised smart grid components and systems are looking for employees to take up design, research and development, project management and marketing roles. Electricity production, transmission and distribution companies, energy retailers and other power companies are also looking for employees for similar positions. In addition to these traditional employers, there is a growing number of services (building, maintenance, consultation, information exchange, energy saving, market analysis, electricity trading, etc.), software vendors and start-up companies specialising in the energy business and smart grids.
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About this institute
Tampere University
Tampere University is one of the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. Almost all internationally recognised fields of study are represented at our university. Tampere University is a merger of the former University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology. University...
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