Energy Education Programs in Switzerland

Laboratory for Energy Conversion, Zurich:
The Laboratory for Energy Conversion (LEC) is part of the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering of ETH Zurich in Switzerland which is one of the world’s leading science and technology universities. We offer bachelor's and master's degree courses as well as PhD doctorate programs in the area of energy conversion. The language of instruction is English.

We offer bachelor's and master's degree courses and PhD programs in the area of energy conversion including:

Aerospace Propulsion:
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a foundation in aerospace propulsion. On completion of this course, the student shall have a good appreciation of why air-breathing engines and chemical rockets have evolved to their current form. Further they shall be more aware of the multitude of opportunities that are available in the aerospace industry, by which they can contribute to the further development of these systems.

Energy Systems and Power Engineering:
Introductory first course for the specialization in ENERGY. The course provides an overall view of the energy field and pertinent global problems, reviews some of the thermodynamic basics in energy conversion, and presents the state-of-the-art technology for power generation and fuel processing.

World primary energy resources and use: fossil fuels, renewable energies, nuclear energy; present situation, trends, and future developments. Sustainable energy system and environmental impact of energy conversion and use: energy, economy and society. Electric power and the electricity economy worldwide and in Switzerland; production, consumption, alternatives. The electric power distribution system. Renewable energy and power: available techniques and their potential. Cost of electricity. Conventional power plants and their cycles; state-of-the -art and advanced cycles. Combined cycles and cogeneration; environmental benefits. Solar thermal power generation and solar photovoltaics. Hydrogen as energy carrier. Fuel cells: characteristics, fuel reforming and combined cycles. Nuclear power plant technology.

Gas Turbine Mechanics and Design:
Designing gas turbines means to translate the aerodynamic and thermodynamic intentions into a system, which is both mechanically sound and manufacturable at reasonable cost. This lecture is aimed at giving a comprehensive overview of the mechanical and design requirements, which must be fulfilled by a safe and reliable machine. Material and life prediction methods will be addressed as well.

Wind Energy:
Drivers for Modern Wind Energy Development. History of Wind Energy. Trends in Wind Energy Development. Modern Wind Turbines. Basic Economics of Wind Energy.

Thermodynamics III:
The course deals with the following topics:

* Radiation fundamentals
* Heat exchangers
* Gas mixtures and psychrometrics
* Turbomachinery fundamentals
* Steam and gas cycles
* Combined cycles
* Internal combustion engine cycles
* Heat pumps

Turbomachinery Design:
* Introduction and history, dimensional analysis, non-dimensional theory

* Velocity triangles, diffusion factor, flow characteristics, degree of reaction

* Two-dimensional stage design, blade families, boundary layer theory, blade loading

* Real turbine and compressor characteristics, radial equilibrium, loss mechanisms, secondary flows

* Turbine aerodynamics and design, profile design, unsteady flows

* Axial flow compressor design, empirical rules, transonic fan design

* Flow instabilities, stall and surge, rotating stall, stability improvement, flutter, noise reduction

* Radial flow turbomachines, centrifugal pumps and compressors, thermodynamics of radial flow machines, radial flow turbines, design concepts

* Turbine cooling, internal cooling, film cooling, cooling losses

* Turbomachinery in renewable energy, wind turbines, wave power

* CFD in turbomachinery

* Case studies

New Enterprise for Engineers:
Propose the role of Needs-Driven Opportunities for new technology enterprises.

Explore links between entrepreneurship and engineering; such as problem solving, planning, system analysis, can-do attitude!

- Making it happen - through sales, marketing, planning, staffing, implementation, financing, and growth. Detailed Plans and execution
- Survival (and success) through cash flow management
- Explore the human issues in any new enterprise
- Alignment of interests between providers of value (founders and staff, VC's) and the providers of capital (Angels, VC's, Corporation)
- Transformations of enterprises along growth path