inline-defaultCreated with Sketch.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Students
Tuition Fee
USD 21,576
Per year
Start Date
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
24 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Electrical Engineering | Power Engineering | Power Systems Technology
Area of study
Engineering
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
USD 21,576
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2023-09-18-
About Program

Program Overview


Why this course?

This course responds to the growing demand for engineers required to lead the process of the digitalisation of the electric grid. It's designed specifically for graduates in the areas of electrical, electronic or telecommunications engineering.

It will both deepen the knowledge of electrical engineering graduates in the new challenges and opportunities around smart grids, and allow information and communications engineers to gain new insights into the power sector’s emerging needs and the global energy transition. You'll gain the foundations to contribute to the new energy paradigm and the utility of the future.





Extensive international experience

You'll spend one term in Spain and one term in Scotland, followed by a paid internship offered within the framework of the MSc degree  with Iberdrola, Minsait/Indra and UFD Distribucion Electricidad S.A. at one of their offices in Spain, UK, USA or Brazil.





Academic & industry teams

The academic team consists of internationally-renowned researchers from both institutions whose expertise spans the smart grid field. Iberdrola is the core industry partner to the course, providing unique international insight on the utility of the future, and guaranteed internships for every student.





Strathclyde Academic Team

  • Director:

    Professor Graeme Burt
  • Deputy Director:

    Professor Craig Michie
  • Campbell Booth / Qiteng Hong / Safak Bayram (Control and Protection of Future Networks)
  • Robert Stewart (Hardware IoT Communication System Design)
  • David Harle / James Irvine (5G Communications Networks)
  • Lie Xu (Offshore and Pan European Supergrids)
  • Bruce Stephen (Data Analytics & AI for Energy Systems)
  • Khaled Ahmed / Lie Xu (Power Electronics for Transmission & Distribution)




  • Comillas Pontifical University Academic Team

  • Director:

    Professor Miguel Angel Sanchez Fornie
  • Coordinator:

    Professor Javier Matanza Domingo
  • Cucala García, Luis (Fundamentals of Telecommunications)
  • Egido Cortés, Ignacio (Fundamentals Power Systems)
  • Chaves Ávila, Jose Pablo (Operation and Planning of Future Distribution Networks)
  • Cossent Arín, Rafael (Operation and Planning of Future Distribution Networks)
  • Echavarren Cerezo, Francisco (Operation and Planning of Future Distribution Networks)
  • González García, Alezeia (Operation and Planning of Future Distribution Networks)
  • Mateo Domingo,Carlos (Operation and Planning of Future Distribution Networks)
  • Renedo Anglada, Francisco Javier (Operation and Planning of Future Distribution Networks)
  • Sigrist, Lukas (Operation and Planning of Future Distribution Networks)
  • Ortega Manjavacas, Álvaro (Operation and Planning of Future Distribution Networks)
  • Matanza Domingo, Javier (Telecommunications for Smart Grids)
  • Sendín Escalona, Alberto (Telecommunications for Smart Grids)
  • Cantos Sánchez de Ibargüen, Cristóbal (Leadership, Change Management and Corporate Responsibility)
  • Domínguez Soto, Cristina (Leadership, Change Management and Corporate Responsibility)
  • Batlle López, Carlos (Regulation and New Business Models)
  • Mastropietro, Paolo (Regulation and New Business Models)
  • Rodilla Rodríguez, Pablo (Regulation and New Business Models)




  • Chat to a student ambassador

    If you want to know more about what it’s like to be an Engineering student at the University of Strathclyde, a selection of our current students are here to help!

    Our Unibuddy ambassadors can answer all the questions you might have about courses and studying at Strathclyde, along with offering insight into their experiences of life in Glasgow and Scotland.

    Chat now!

    Program Outline

    Course content

    The structure of the course is as follows:

  • Term 1 (September – December): 30 ECT credits – ICAI School of Engineering, Comillas Pontifical University
  • Term 2 (January – mid-May): 30 ECT credits – Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde
  • Term 3 (mid-May – mid-Sept): 30 ECT credits – Individual Research Project: this will take the form of a practical, applied project with one of the University partners, or a paid internship with Iberdrola, Minsait/Indra and UFD Distribucion Electricidad S.A. at one of their offices in Spain, UK, USA or Brazil; internships are available for the top-performing MSc students
  • Classes in Spain are taught from 3pm to 9pm; classes in Scotland are taught from 9am to 5pm.


  • Operation and Planning of Future Distribution Networks

    The aim of this course is to develop an understanding of the principles and main methodologies behind the planning and operation of distribution networks, understand how distributed energy resources affect these activities, and comprehend what technical solutions distribution grid operators need to deploy in order to address the new challenges of the Smart Grid.


    Regulation and New Business Models

    The course presents an in-depth interdisciplinary perspective of the electric power sector, with regulation as the core for networks business providing the link among the engineering, economic, legal and environmental viewpoints.


    Telecommunications for Smart Grids

    The aim of this course is to provide the student with knowledge about the main technologies and standards used for digital communications. More precisely, the course is focused on technologies that are or could be useful in present and future Smart Grids, respectively. Contents will vary from a mathematical model of the signal transmission to a higher-level view of the network architecture for Smart Grid Networks. Cybersecurity will be a recurrent topic in this course.


    Fundamentals of Telecommunications

    The objective of this course is to develop some basic understanding of the fundamental foundations on telecommunication. The course focuses not only on the transmissions systems and techniques used nowadays for transmitting information at a high level but it also elaborates on the fundamental concepts of signal modulation and propagation.


    Fundamentals of Power Systems

    The aim of this course is to provide the student with the fundamental foundations on power systems that allow them to tackle more advanced concepts.


    Leadership, Change Management & Corporate Responsibility

    This course provides skills and knowledge necessary to manage staff in dynamic company structures, which are subject to changes and difficulties as part of a more complex organization. In addition to this, the course addresses situations which encompass dilemmas and implications of an ethical and professional nature, which will not only affect students in their future personal or professional life, but also have consequences that go beyond their own personal lives.

    Detailed information on these modules is available at the

    Comillas Pontifical University

    .


    Control and Protection of Future Networks

    HVDC transmission systems and renewable generation units use power electronic converters rather than synchronous machines to interface to the AC network. Hence, classic control and protection methods meant for classic power systems may not be able to accommodate high penetration of renewables and long distance HVDC links.

    The aim of this module is to enable students to appreciate the principles of control and protection of present-day and future electrical systems including:

  • The steady-state and dynamic analysis of electrical systems under normal, transient and fault conditions.
  • Grid-codes and other legislation that impacts upon the functional requirements of protection systems, generation and HVDC transmission units.
  • The main concepts related to the requirements, functions, design and operation of protection schemes for power system transmission and distribution systems.
  • How HVDC and converter-interfaced generation pose challenges to operation and protection system design; but also, how their enhanced controllability has great potential to enable new alternative concepts.

  • Hardware IoT Communication System Design

    This module will provide you with the essential skills to design, build and test a sensor network for your smart grid application. The course makes use of radio frequency (RF) Internet of Things (IoT) development boards and a range of sensors and radio modules. You'll program the boards to communicate with the sensor nodes and wirelessly transmit data to gateway and onwards to a PC receiver or mobile wi-fi device. You'll analyse the measurement data and produce a graphical user interface to display it in a user-accessible manner.


    5G Comms Networks

    This module covers the core principles and operation of packet-based communications networks leading to the design and operation of future 5G networks. It describes the operation of the key transport layer protocols within the internet architecture including wired and wireless networks. Specific areas include 5G Quality of Services based networks, techniques to measure and report the network performance and operation.

    The course will contain topics in relation to cyber security including browser and HTTP fundamentals, security architecture and security analysis methodologies highlighting common web vulnerabilities, security management systems and policies and security governance.


    Offshore & Pan European Supergrids

    This module establishes the case for a massive expansion of DC in transmission systems in order to access diversity of load and generation at a European level. Students will investigate different design strategies for new offshore networks compared to traditional networks in recognition of different risk and cost profiles.

    The module also covers the fundamentals of HVDC grid, including multi-level converter topology and configuration, operation, modelling and control of multi-terminal DC grids. This will also include the approach taken to control DC networks to provide support and integration of AC networks, and how an AC network is affected by a high penetration of DC links.


    Data Analytics & AI for Energy Systems

    A strong part of the business case for smart grids is using intelligence and automation to gain more capacity from existing assets to avoid large expenditure on further assets. Also, autonomy and intelligence is key to the flexible operation of smart girds, integration of low carbon generation and effective interaction with consumers.

    This module teaches the key AI and data science methods that are applicable to smart grids, and provides case studies of their application. We are moving to a future where much more can and will be monitored and new techniques, leveraging data analytics, are needed to fully exploit the data. Areas covered will be machine learning, knowledge based methods, distributed intelligence methods and architectures, applications in asset management, applications in network management and control.


    Power Electronics for Transmission & Distribution

    Power electronics provides one of the key technologies for delivering the flexible power networks necessary for future low carbon energy systems. This module will help to build the skills and knowledge necessary to analyse power electronic-based systems, evaluate their operation within the wider power network, and identify the key advances that will facilitate wider adoption.

    In particular, the module will build understanding in the following areas.

  • The operation of power electronic-based energy conversion systems
  • The application of power electronics to transmission and distribution networks
  • The benefits and disadvantages of power electronics in power systems
  • Practical paid internship at any of the Iberdrola international branch offices, with salary provided.


    MSc in Smart Grids Individual Project

    Individual research project: This will take the form of a practical, applied project with one of the University partners or as a paid internship with Iberdrola at one of their international branch offices in the UK, Spain, USA or Brazil.

    Students will identify an engineering problem, critically review the existing literature relating to this, formulate a project plan with clear objectives, milestones and deliverables. They will then define and implement one or more methodologies independently, interpret the results and provide a contextual analysis of these, to make sound contributions to solve or address the problem, and make recommendations for future work.



    Careers

    The course aims to develop expertise in both the power systems and telecommunications dimensions of Smart Grids.

    Academic excellence, together with internships in real-life projects taking place in a leading multinational energy company, Iberdrola, enable you to acquire new skills, which are in demand in the energy industry.

    This type of professional profile is already in high demand in the energy industry around the world.


    Professional opportunities

  • Electric Power Utilities: transmission system operators, distribution system operators, retailers, aggregators and new ventures involving distributed energy resources
  • Electric equipment and systems suppliers
  • Telecommunications equipment and services suppliers
  • Government and regulatory agencies
  • Institutes for research and innovation
  • Energy sector consultants

  • Academic career paths

  • Research, development and innovation
  • Doctoral candidates

  • Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city

    Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.

    Life in Glasgow


    SHOW MORE
    About University
    PhD
    Masters
    Bachelors
    Diploma
    Foundation
    Courses


    Overview:

    • Founded in 1796 as Anderson's Institution
    • Received its Royal Charter in 1964, becoming the University of Strathclyde
    • Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK for engineering and technology
    • Home to the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), a world-leading research center in metal forming
    • Notable alumni include Sir James Black (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine), Sir David Murray (former CEO of Rangers Football Club), and Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (astrophysicist)

    Student Life:

    • Over 23,000 students from over 100 countries
    • 150+ student clubs and societies, including sports teams, cultural groups, and academic societies
    • Student support services include counseling, health, and disability support
    • Campus facilities include a sports center, library, and student union

    Academics:

    • Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, science, business, law, and social sciences
    • Faculty includes world-renowned experts in their fields
    • Teaching methodologies emphasize hands-on learning and industry engagement
    • Academic support services include tutoring, writing centers, and language support
    • Unique academic programs include the Strathclyde MBA, which is ranked among the top 100 MBAs in the world

    Top Reasons to Study Here:

    • Excellent reputation for teaching and research, particularly in engineering and technology
    • Strong industry connections and opportunities for internships and placements
    • Specialized facilities such as the AFRC and the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
    • Vibrant student life with a diverse and inclusive community
    • Located in the heart of Glasgow, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city

    Services:

    • Counseling and mental health support
    • Health center with a range of medical services
    • Accommodation services with a variety of on-campus and off-campus options
    • Library resources with over 1 million books and journals
    • Technology support including IT services and free Wi-Fi
    • Career development services with support for job searching, CV writing, and interview preparation

    Total programs
    511
    Average ranking globally
    #276
    Average ranking in the country
    #6
    Admission Requirements

    Entry requirements

    Academic requirements

    A first-class or second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in electronic, electrical or telecommunications engineering, or a related physical sciences subject.

    English Language requirements

    UKVI-recognised English language qualification at C1 level (IELTS 7.0) for non-native English speakers.

    Additional requirements

    Candidates must be willing to travel, as teaching takes place in both Spain and Scotland, and the internship will be carried out in Spain, the UK, USA or Brazil.


    International students

    We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 100 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.

    Visit our international students' section

    Location
    Video
    How can I help you today?