Introduction
The Energy Systems Engineering Department was accredited in August 2008 to run the HND Renewable Energy Systems Engineering, a three-year programme with a focus on training the middle manpower resources of the country in renewable energy. To further deepen the knowledge and skills of students who enrolled on the HND programme, the department in August 2011 was accredited to run a two-year top-up in renewable energy leading to the award of a Bachelor of Technology in Renewable Energy. In line with the conversion of polytechnics to technical universities, the department seeks to run a straight four (4) year Bachelor of Technology in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering.
Our objectives are:
a) To teach students the basic theoretical concepts and principles related to renewable energy technologies.
b) To equip students with the knowledge and skills to design, install, operate, troubleshoot and maintain renewable energy systems.
c) To train students to assess the energy needs of households, industries, and communities, and suggest appropriate renewable energy systems for each scenario.
d) To equip students with knowledge and skills to perform energy audits and suggest cost-effective energy conservation and management measures.
e) To equip students with the knowledge and analytical skills to conduct research and solve practical problems in the renewable energy space.
f) To equip students with entrepreneurial skills and professional engineering ethics.
Programmes in the Department
The energy sector is critical for the socio-economic development of any country. In the Ghanaian context, the challenge is to provide affordable energy services for both the rapidly developing domestic and industrial sectors. At present official statistics indicate that about 30% of Ghanaian households do not have access to electricity. The development of the energy system is constrained by a number of factors such as the depletion of fossil fuel, fluctuation in oil prices, climate change and its associated global warming. The situation has spurred the development of renewable energies for the generation of electricity and alternative transport fuels to reduce the dependence on imported oil and its associated problems. The move strongly suggests that the energy sector is in transition and requires analytical and design inputs in order to reverse the negative trend encountered in the energy sector.
To prepare the Ghanaian workforce to contribute to the global energy transition, the following
programmes are offered by the Department:
1. Bachelor of Technology in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering (B.Tech)
2. Bachelor of Technology in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering (B.Tech) – Top-up
3. Higher National Diploma Renewable Energy Systems Engineering (HND)
4. Certificate – Solar PV Installation and Maintenance
5. Certificate – Biogas Systems Installation and Maintenance
6. Certificate – Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Bachelor of Technology Renewable Systems Engineering (B.Tech.)
The programme is a four-year programme designed to train professionals in the renewable energy sector. This will help build the requisite human resources to augment the skills shortages in the Renewable sector in Ghana and Africa.
II. Bachelor of Technology Renewable Systems Engineering (B.Tech.) -Top-up
The Bachelor of Technology (BTECH) in Renewable Energy Engineering is a two-year part-time weekend programme. It is designed to train middle-level management personnel to provide the needed supervisory role to link theory and practice in the Renewable Energy Engineering Industry. The programme is structured for diploma graduates with a background in engineering or industrial work experience.
The programme consists of twelve weeks (12) industrial training in an energy engineering firm or in a company.
III. Higher National Diploma Renewable Energy Systems Engineering (HND)
The HND Mechanical Engineering programme is a three-year full-time programme of study: Plant and Production. Students are taken through both theoretical education and practical training of the programme.
Certificate Programmes
These programmes aim to build the capacity of people of all backgrounds in the various renewable energy technologies. This comprises a comprehensive 5-day to a one-month training course on standalone Solar PV systems, grid-tied PV systems with battery back-up, or Solar thermal installation and maintenance. Other training courses available include Biogas construction and maintenance. Courses on Energy management and energy audit are regularly organized. Participants can start learning the basics of particular renewable energy technology and gradually become professionals in a couple of weeks.
The principal courses taught in these Programmes are given below:
• Hydro-Electric Power Systems
• Biogas Production and Utilization
• Wind Energy Systems
• Solar Energy Systems
• Thermochemical Biomass Conversion
• Bioethanol / Biodiesel Technology
• Basic Fluid Mechanics
• Electrical Integration of Renewable
• Applied Electricity and Electronics for Energy Systems
• Energy Policy & Planning
• Energy System Design & Simulation
• Energy Audit and Management
• Energy Economics
Laboratory, Workshops and Research Work
The department has well-equipped laboratories and workshops for training the practical component of the programme. The laboratories include Electron Mechanical Lab, Fluid Mechanics Lab, and Computer simulating lab. There are Solar PV systems, Solar Water Heating Systems and Biogas systems for outdoor teaching and experiments.
Our research works focus on the following areas: Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Solar Thermal Systems, Fuel Cells, Biogas and Biodiesel, Energy Management and Audit, and Hydropower.
Employment prospects of graduates
Graduates from the Department’s Renewable Energy Systems Engineering programme are set on course for a wide range of exciting career opportunities. They could be employed in the following sectors of the economy:
a. Ministry of Power
b. Ministry of Energy and Petroleum
c. Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology
d. Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA’s)
e. Energy Commission
f. Environmental Protection Agency
g. Private Renewable Energy Companies
h. Energy Foundation
i. Power generation companies e.g. Volta River Authority, Electricity Company of Ghana etc.
j. Waste to Energy industries
k. Environmental Management Industries
l. Oil companies
m. Process Industries
n. Research and Academic institutions: Technical Universities and Conventional Universities
o. Solar installers and technicians
p. Bio-gas system technicians
q. Non-profit organizations
r. Volta River Authority, and Bui Hydro Authority.
s. Private companies such as Sonic Biogas Limited, Eleyson Ghana Limited, Peg Solar Energy, Burro Solar Energy, Biogas Technology Limited Deng Solar, Black Star Energy, HPW Fresh and Dry, Process Industries, etc. could also employ graduates from this programme.
Moreover, with the inclusion of strong lessons in entrepreneurship, graduates will be trained to establish their own businesses either in groups or as individuals.
Graduates can also pursue further education to become certified Energy Engineers, Energy Analysts, Energy Managers and Energy Auditors.
Graduates from our 4- Year BTech Renewable Energy Systems Engineering programme can also pursue graduate programmes in MTech, MSc, MEng, MPhil if they wish to.
Entry/Admission Requirements
1. Bachelor of Technology (B.TECH) Renewable Energy Systems Engineering (4 years)
i. SSSCE Candidates
The applicants must have passed (A–D) in three (3) core subjects including, English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science plus three (3) passes in relevant elective subjects: Engineering Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Metal Work, Auto Mechanics, Basic Electronics, Wood Work, Technical Drawing and Block Work. The cumulative aggregate must be 24 or better.
ii. WASSCE Candidates
The applicants must have Credit Passes (A1–C6) in six (6) subjects comprising three (3) core subjects, English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science plus three (3) relevant elective subjects: Engineering Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Metal Work, Auto Mechanics, Plumbing, Building Construction, Basic Electronics, Wood Work and Block Work as well as Technical Drawing with an aggregate not exceeding 36.
iii. GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level Candidates
Applicants must have six (6) GCE ‘O’ Level passes including, English Language, Mathematics plus three (3) GCE ‘A’ Level passes in Mathematics, Technical Drawing, Physics or Chemistry.
iv. Admissions under Special Circumstance for SSSCE/WASSCE Applicants
Applicants who have a D7 in any of the three (3) core subjects, English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science plus three (3) relevant elective subjects with an aggregate not exceeding 36 may be conditionally admitted to undergoing a two (2) month intensive bridging (pre-degree) programme prior to formal admission.
v. Applicants from Technical Institutes
• Applicants from Technical Institutes with passes in Mathematics, English Language and Integrated Science as well as passes in the relevant elective courses will be admitted.
• Applicants without Mathematics, English Language and Integrated Science may be admitted to an intensive two (2) month bridging (pre-degree) programme before formal admission to the programme after passing a selection examination.
vi. Applicants with HND
• Higher National Diploma in any option of Mechanical, Automotive, Energy Systems and Electrical Engineering will enroll at level 300.
• Applicants with a university Diploma in a relevant subject area will enroll at level 300.
• Ordinary Technical Diploma (OTD) will enroll at level 200.
vii. Applicants with Technician Certificate
• Passes in MET II, MVT II, EET II, CTC II will enroll at level 200.
• Passes in Mechanical Engineering Technician III, MVT III, EET III and, CCT III will enroll at level 300.
BTech (two-year top-up)
Entry is limited to holders of at least Second-Class Lower certificate in HND Renewable Energy Systems Engineering or HND Mechanical Engineering (Production and Plants Options) or HND in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Chemical Engineering. Equivalent entry requirements are the KNUST Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. In addition, applicants must have at least two years’ post-HND relevant industrial experience in an energy-related field.
HND Energy Systems Engineering (3 years)
The target market of this programme includes graduates with science backgrounds from all Senior High and Technical Schools in Ghana. Graduates from Technical schools who have studied Technician programmes such as Motor Vehicle Technician, Electrical and Electronics Technicians, Mechanical Engineering Technician with English, Science and Mathematics also qualify to apply.
It will equally be accessible to mature applicants who have some experience in any related energy industry. Such applicants shall sit and pass an entrance examination to be organized by the University.
Applicants with the requisite qualifications from the neighbouring West African countries may also apply. The University shall comply with the national entry requirements approved by the National Accreditation Board (NAB) as shown below:
a) SSSCE Candidates
The applicants must have passed (A–D) in six (6) subjects comprising three (3) core subjects: English Language, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science plus three (3) passes in relevant elective subjects: Engineering Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Metal Work, Auto Mechanics, Basic Electronics, Wood Work, Technical Drawing and Block Work. The cumulative aggregate must be 24 or better.
b) WASSCE Candidates
The applicants must have passes (A1–C6) in six (6) subjects comprising three (3) core subjects: English Language, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science plus three (3) relevant elective subjects: Engineering Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Metal Work, Auto Mechanics, Plumbing, Building Construction, Basic Electronics, Wood Work and Block Work as well as Technical Drawing with an aggregate not exceeding 36.
c) GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level Candidates
Applicants must have six (6) GCE ‘O’ Level passes including, English Language, Mathematics plus three (3) GCE ‘A’ Level passes in Mathematics, Technical Drawing, Physics or Chemistry.
d) Applicants from Technical Institutes
• Applicants from Technical Institutes with passes in Mathematics, English Language and Integrated Science as well as passes in the relevant elective courses will be admitted.
• Applicants without Mathematics, English Language and Integrated Science may be admitted to an intensive two (2) month bridging (pre-degree) programme before formal admission to the programme after passing a selection examination.
e) Applicants with HND
• Higher National Diploma in any option of Mechanical, Automotive, Renewable Energy Systems and Electrical Engineering will enrol at level 300.
f) Applicants with Diploma
• Applicants with a university Diploma in a relevant subject area will enrol at level 300.
• Ordinary Technical Diploma (OTD) will enrol at level 200.
g) Applicants with Technician Certificate
• Passes in MET II, MVT II, EET II, and CTC II will enrol at level 200.
• Passes in Mechanical Engineering Technician III, MVT III, EET III and, CCT III will enrol at level 300.
h) Mature Applicants
• The applicants must be at least 25 years of age and show proof of age with a birth certificate, baptismal certificate or any legitimate documentary proof of date of birth acquired 5 years prior to application.
• Mature applicants must pass Mature Students’ Entrance Examinations conducted by the University. In addition, two years of relevant work experience will be required before admission.
• Applicants may be considered on the mature-student status if they satisfy the following criteria:
i. Foreign Candidates
Foreign candidates with equivalent entry requirements will be considered.