Energy Systems Analysis - Specialization

In this specialization, students develop a solid understanding of energy systems and the interactions between various technologies and sectors such as heat, power, gas, and transport. They also gain a broad perspective on the role of energy systems in society, with a focus on renewable energy and its socio-economic impact.

Graduates are equipped to analyze complex energy systems using advanced modeling and statistical methods. They acquire the skills to plan and manage large energy projects and to design optimized energy solutions. A deep knowledge of energy markets, risks, and regulations enables graduates to advise companies and authorities on strategies for energy and environmental markets, as well as on forecasting future demand and opportunities for renewable energy technologies.

Polytechnic foundation courses (10 ECTS):

The following courses are mandatory: 

12100 Quantitative methods to assess sustainability (Polytechnical Foundation) 5 point F7 (Tues 18-22)
or
12106 Quantitative methods to assess sustainability (Polytechnical Foundation) 5 point Autumn E3B (Fri 13-17)
or
12105 Quantitative methods to assess sustainability (Polytechnical Foundation) 5 point E7 (Tues 18-22)
or
12101 Quantitative methods to assess sustainability (Polytechnical Foundation) 5 point Spring F3B (Fri 13-17)
38400 Innovation in Engineering (Polytechnical Foundation) 5 point January
or
38404 Innovation in Engineering (Polytechnical Foundation) 5 point August
or
38402 Innovation in Engineering (Polytechnical Foundation) 5 point June

Students with advanced innovation competences may take one of the following courses as an alternative to 42500/42501/42504:

38401 Facilitating Innovation in Multidisciplinary Teams 5 point January
or
38405 Facilitating Innovation in Multidisciplinary Teams 5 point August
or
38403 Facilitating Innovation in Multidisciplinary Teams 5 point June

The following course can be taken as an alternative to the mandatory course 12100/12106/12105/12101:

41636 Design for Circular Economy 5 point January

Programme-specific courses (50 ECTS)

Structured into the following pools, each targeting a distinct area of competence:

Pools common to all specializations:

  • Innovation II (5 ECTS):  Develops innovation and problem-solving skills to address real-world sustainable energy challenges.
  • Core competence - Mandatory (15 ECTS):  Establishes a shared system-level understanding of sustainable energy systems, forming the common analytical foundation across all specialisations. 
  • Core competence - Technology-specific (5 ECTS): Provides technical knowledge in a specific energy technology area, adding applied domain depth to the shared system-level foundation across all specialisations.

Specialization-specific pools:

  • Specialization-specific - Digital skills (10 ECTS): Builds foundational digital competencies relevant to energy systems across three skill areas: machine learning & statistical learning, mathematical modelling & optimization, and scientific programming & computational tools.
  • Specialization-specific - Analytical foundations (5 ECTS): Develops quantitative methods for energy system analysis and decision-making under uncertainty.
  • Specialization-specific - Core methodologies (10 ECTS): Bridges energy economics, business, and finance with energy market context to support informed decision-making for the green energy transition.

* When a course is listed in multiple pools, it may be used to satisfy the requirements of one pool only.

Innovation II (5 ECTS)

Select one of the following courses:

38102 Technology Entrepreneurship 5 point Autumn E1B (Thurs 13-17)
42014 Environmental and Resource Economics 5 point Spring F4B (Fri 8-12)
42015 Energy Economics 5 point Autumn E3B (Fri 13-17)
42016 Business Economics and Finance 5 point Spring F3B (Fri 13-17)

Core competence - Mandatory (15 ECTS)

The following three courses are compulsory components of the programme:

46205 Feasibility studies of energy projects 5 point Autumn E3A (Tues 8-12)
46740 Distributed energy technologies, modelling and control 5 point Spring F1B (Thurs 13-17)
46770 Integrated energy grids 5 point Spring F5A (Wed 8-12)

Core competence - Technology-specific (5 ECTS)

Choose at least 5 ECTS from the following courses:

34552 Photovoltaic systems 5 point Spring F2B (Thurs 8-12)
41418 Green fuels and power-to-x 5 point Spring F3A (Tues 8-12)
41468 Sustainable District Heating 5 point Spring F1A (Mon 8-12)
46200 Planning and Development of Wind Farms 5 point January
46745 Integration of wind power in the power system 5 point Autumn E1B (Thurs 13-17)
47301 Hydrogen energy and fuel cells 5 point Spring F1B (Thurs 13-17)
47330 Energy storage and conversion 5 point Autumn E1A (Mon 8-12)
47334 Carbon capture, utilization, and storage 5 point Spring F3A (Tues 8-12)

Specialization-specific - Digital skills (10 ECTS)

Choose at least 10 ECTS from the three thematic course groups defined below: 1) Machine learning & statistical learning, 2) Mathematical modelling & optimization, and 3) Scientific programming & computational tools. You must take one course from at least two groups.

02452 Machine Learning 5 point Autumn E4A (Tues 13-17)
or
02582 Computational Data Analysis 5 point Spring F2B (Thurs 8-12)
or
02417 Time Series Analysis 5 point Spring F4B (Fri 8-12)
42112 Mathematical Programming Modelling 5 point January
or
42114 Integer Programming 5 point Autumn E4A (Tues 13-17)
or
02612 Constrained Optimization 5 point Spring F4A (Tues 13-17)
46120 Scientific Programming for Wind Energy 5 point Spring F2B (Thurs 8-12)
or
02807 Computational Tools for Data Science 5 point E7 (Tues 18-22)
or
02476 Machine Learning Operations 5 point January

Specialization-specific - Analytical foundations (5 ECTS)

Choose at least 5 ECTS from the following courses:

02435 Decision-Making Under Uncertainty 5 point Spring F4A (Tues 13-17)
42001 Large scale energy system analysis 5 point June

Specialization-specific - Core methodologies (10 ECTS)

Choose at least 10 ECTS from the following courses:

42014 Environmental and Resource Economics 5 point Spring F4B (Fri 8-12)
42016 Business Economics and Finance 5 point Spring F3B (Fri 13-17)
42879 Decision Support and Strategic Assessment 5 point Autumn E2B (Thurs 8-12)
46745 Integration of wind power in the power system 5 point Autumn E1B (Thurs 13-17)
46755 Renewables in electricity markets 5 point Spring F2A (Mon 13-17)

Elective courses (30 ECTS):

Any course classified as MSc-level in DTU’s course catalogue may be taken as an elective. This also includes programme-specific courses beyond the minimum requirements listed above. Master’s students may count up to 10 ECTS from DTU bachelor-level courses or equivalent courses from other higher education institutions. Additionally, MSc-level courses from other Danish or international universities can be included as electives.

In addition to the programme-specific courses mentioned above, the following elective courses are suggested for this specialization:

02431 Risk Management 5 point January
02476 Machine Learning Operations 5 point January
12772 Life Cycle Assessment of Products and Systems 10 point Autumn E1 (Mon 8-12, Thurs 13-17)
41416 Energy systems - analysis, design and optimization 10 point Spring F5 (Wed 8-17)
42136 Advanced Operations Research Methods 5 point Spring F2B (Thurs 8-12)
46200 Planning and Development of Wind Farms 5 point January
46230 Power system balancing with large scale wind power 5 point Spring F4B (Fri 8-12)
46700 Introduction to Electric Power Systems 10 point Autumn E4 (Tues 13-17, Fri 8-12)
46705 Power grid analysis 5 point Spring F3A (Tues 8-12)
46750 Optimization in modern power systems 5 point Autumn E5A (Wed 8-12)
46765 Machine learning for energy systems 5 point Autumn E2A (Mon 13-17)

Master's thesis (30 ECTS):

The MSc thesis must be conducted within the area of the specialization. The project may be completed in collaboration with a relevant company.

Specializations are recommended pathways for selecting courses within the curriculum. Applicants are admitted to the programme and not to a specific specialization and may choose any courses within the curriculum according to the guidelines provided. However, if the requirements for a specialization are completed, the specialization title may be added to the diploma.

Study track responsible