Lewis Kirkwood
MSc Energy Transition Systems and Technologies
Why did you choose this particular programme at the University of Aberdeen?
After graduating with an MEng Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, in 2021, the world was starting to come to grips with the corona pandemic and aspects of a 'green revolution' were already underway. I knew then that I wanted to play a role in the energy transition and have a positive impact on the decarbonisation of our energy systems. In order to achieve this goal I also knew that I had to expand my knowledge of what the energy transition actually involved and could offer.
When I first read about this MSc programme I was instantly drawn toward applying as it was the first of its kind in the UK. After delving further into the modules involved, and seeing how my engineering degree would allow me to really build on my baseline knowledge in the areas I was most interested in - carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, energy efficiency, hybrid renewable energy systems, and energy policy, for example - I was ready to apply.
Friends and colleagues of mine that attended the University of Aberdeen emphasised the beauty of the campus, being over 500 years old, and expressed a real sense of community. Since I was already keen to apply based on the programme alone, this gave me that final bit of confidence to make the decision.
What part of your degree programme have you enjoyed the most or find most interesting so far?
I have particularly enjoyed the workshop sessions on Energy Legislation and Policy. Essay writing and arguing opinions were not my forte as an engineering graduate. However, Dr. Daria Shapovalova, our lecturer and expert on Energy Law, was excellent at conveying complex arguments stemming from substantial pieces of legislation that were challenging to read and understand as someone who would much rather have a spreadsheet placed in front of them than a long piece of legal text.
These sessions also encouraged me to share my ideas and attempt to challenge those of my colleagues which proved to be great learning experiences, especially when many of my colleagues were professionals from the energy industry. In 2022, the attractiveness of the energy transition is clear in most (if not all) sectors and it is now up to policymakers to push markets in the right direction. So obtaining a fundamental grasp on legislation and policy through discussions on drivers and barriers to the energy transition in the UK, EU, and beyond, will no doubt be extremely valuable going forward in my career.
What knowledge, skills or experience have you gained or developed on your programme?
Building on my mechanical engineering degree, I have gained knowledge in the physical principles of important renewable energy technologies. These were wind and marine (wave and tidal) energy, and solar PV. Each of the technology modules improved my skills in mathematical modelling (with Matlab), and report writing through elaborate design projects. One of my latter modules integrated the learnings from these technologies in a hybrid renewable energy systems design group project which was carried out on a case study of our own choosing. The journey from first principles through to system-level design has given me a strong appreciation of the knowledge and skills required by those who are solving energy transition problems at an industrial level.
Aside from the engineering technologies aspects of the course, I have: developed my skills in GIS mapping; progressed my awareness of the socio-political landscape of national energy systems, especially in the UK; formed a holistic view on the economics of the energy transition in industrial, domestic, agricultural and services sectors; improved my understanding of the complexities of energy transition problems, the solutions that are available now, and those that will become available in the future.
Have you taken part in any work placement, internship, or other type of research or professional experience during your studies?
From early on in my time at the University of Aberdeen I have held the role of Treasurer of the Society for Energy Transition. This has been a great experience that has allowed me to engage with peers, that are also interested in the energy transition, outside the classroom. The Society's members come from various degrees, making it truly interdisciplinary, where we conduct weekly discussions on energy transition viewpoints, case studies, and research. I have also helped organise social events as well as industrial seminars where I hosted two speakers from TotalEnergies in one session that successfully engaged students and a world leader in the energy transition through discussions on carbon footprint reduction strategies.
What are your plans for the future (after you graduate)?
At the time of writing, I am heading into the research thesis phase of the MSc programme where I will be conducting an industrial project on behalf of TotalEnergies. The MSc scholarship I was awarded from TotalEnergies has opened up this opportunity to build expertise in two areas that are imperative for a successful energy transition - CCUS and Hydrogen - and I am looking forward to the experience ahead.
I am planning to secure a graduate role as an engineer in projects related to the energy transition after I graduate. I believe that this programme has provided me with abundant knowledge and a multitude of skills that will be invaluable going forward in my career.
What advice would you give another student who is considering applying to this programme?
I would recommend this programme to any prospective students looking to enhance their knowledge and skills for the energy transition. As a student that recently graduated from another degree just before coming into this programme, it has been extremely useful in ironing out the kinks in my fundamentals of engineering as well as bringing my understanding of the energy transition, its opportunities and limitations, to a professional level.
My answers here may suggest that an engineering degree is essential to complete this MSc. I would like to add that, while an engineering background may help, many of my colleagues came from other backgrounds such as geoscience and finance. Therefore, any prospective student with a solid technical capability will be able to succeed in the programme.
A final piece of advice I have is to engage with your peers on the course! Many of your colleagues will have come from industry so the knowledge you can gain from them is immensely valuable as a postgraudate student. This programme is therefore a great opportunity to learn from other like-minded individuals that also have years of professional experience under their belts.
Is there anything else about your time at the University of Aberdeen that you would like to share, that was not covered in the above questions?
I have mentioned the beauty of the University of Aberdeen campus already but it is worth mentioning again! The cobblestones, narrow streets, and historic buildings are very quaint, giving off a timeless vibe that makes you feel at home. The option of quality coffee from a number of cafes at the heart of campus is essential to those late-night study sessions in the library which, by the way, has an excellent view of the offshore wind farm and North Sea activities off the coast of Aberdeen from the top floor, providing that extra bit of inspiration for your energy-related studies.
