You and your project group analyse the diagnosis and maintenance of different electronic, power electronic or drive systems. Your focus could be on the actual design of the diagnostic system, different system identification methods or maintenance strategies, for example.

You analyse and model the system you have chosen, and then you do experiments in the laboratories to verify the system, a model of the system, or parts of the system.

You will work problem based and project oriented and learn methods for project management.

Courses

• System Identification and Diagnosis (5 ECTS)
• Machine Learning and Condition Monitoring (5 ECTS)
• Probability Theory, Stochastic Processes and Applied Statistics (5 ECTS)

Project

• Diagnosis and Maintenance (15 ECTS)

Examples of project topics

• Parameter identification and modelling of PV systems
• Fault detection of microgrids and power electronic converters
• Design of a current protection circuit for a grid-connected energy storage system
• Parameter identification and modelling of mechatronic systems.

In the second semester, your project focuses on a power electronic converter, a power source, and an application, typically an AC electrical machine or an AC grid. When you and your project group have chosen a system to study, you describe the operating principles for the system. You also formulate a control problem including the key specifications and find a relevant digital control method for the system.

You select at least one method for practical implementation in a real system incorporating a power electronic converter, a power source and a load, and a real‐time digital control system based on a digital signal processor or a micro controller in the laboratory.

The project work is documented by a scientific paper, and you will participate in an internal student conference arranged by the department. You will learn to communicate scientific results in a professional manner.

Courses

• Non-linear Control and Reliability (5 ECTS)
• Advanced Power Electronics and Applications (5 ECTS)
• Dynamic Modelling of Electrical Machines and Control Systems (5 ECTS)

Project

• Control of Power Electronic Systems (15 ECTS)

Examples of project topics

• Control of grid connected inverters for renewable energy systems
• Design and control of DC-DC converters
• Dynamic modelling and control of drones
• Modelling and optimisation of a drone’s power and propulsion system

During the third semester, you have different options to earn the required 30 ECTS:

• You can do a traineeship in Denmark or abroad, where you will stay at an external organisation and work on one main task which fulfils the learning goals of the semester.
• You can do a study abroad, joining another university or educational institution abroad.
• You can do a regular semester at AAU with elective courses and project work.
• You can begin your master’s thesis and do a long master thesis so your work on the same topic on both your third and fourth semesters.

Aalborg University has collaboration agreements with universities around the world, and the programme’s research environment has a wide range of traineeship contacts.

If you opt to stay at Aalborg University, you will choose elective courses that give you 10 ECTS credits, and you will work on a project that includes an application in a power electronic converter, a power source and an embedded system.

Elective courses

• Elective course (5 ECTS)
• Elective course (5 ECTS)

The elective courses may vary from year to year, depending on the number of students in the various specialisations, the on-going projects and the research performed at the Department of Energy . 

Project

• Advanced Control in Industrial Electronics (20 ECTS)

You write your Master’s thesis in the fourth semester, and you will draw on all the knowledge, experience and skills you have acquired during your studies. Depending on your choice of topic, your thesis will involve developmental work, further development, or actual research.

Master’s thesis

• Self-selected topic (30 ECTS)

Examples of thesis topics

• Design and control power electronic converters
• Model-based prediction of the condition of electric drive systems
• Advanced energy management system for smart energy systems
• Intelligent drone navigation and control utilising advanced sensors and vision
• Intelligent and reliable control of industrial robotic systems

Aalborg University is rated for excellence in the QS-ranking system. Aalborg University has received five stars certifying the world-class position of the university based on cutting-edge facilities and internationally renowned research and education.

Graduates in Advanced Power Electronics have a wide range of job opportunities. You can work in planning, development, consulting and research in Danish and international industries or public institutions.

Problem-based learning and working in groups during your study programme will give you many useful skills that make you an attractive candidate on the job market. You will know how to approach a problem and solve it in collaboration with other people, and this is often how things are done in the "real world".

With a Master’s degree in Advanced Power Electronics, you will have a wide range of career possibilities, including at R&D departments in major companies working with control of power electronic converters and electrical machines. You can work at R&D, departments or in senior management positions in energy supply companies, such as wind power, machine manufacturing companies, or in process industries, electro-technical and consultancy companies, etc.

Graduates now have jobs at

• Vestas, working on wind energy for converter and generator design
• Danfoss and Grundfos, working on electrical drives
• ABB and Siemens, working on high power converters for compensation or active filters or for machine design
• KK Wind Solutions, working on control of converters

As an engineer in Advanced Power Electronics you can work within the following areas, for example:

• Integration and operation of wind turbines
• Energy optimisation of apparatus, systems and households
• Development of new energy technologies and systems
• Analysing new energy technologies
• Researching energy resources
• Consulting
• Teaching
• Assessing the sustainability of different forms of energy
• Diagnostics and maintenance
• Control development

Aalborg University is famous for its problem based learning which means that you work in a group on a written assignment each semester - possibly in collaboration with an industrial partner. This study method is also called “The Aalborg Model for Problem Based Learning”. The method is highly recognised internationally; including by UNESCO.
The problem based project work at Aalborg University gives you the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and competencies at a high academic level in an independent way. You get to apply theory to practice when you work to solve real-life problems, which will ensure that you are well prepared for your future career.
Learn more about PBL.

When doing project work, you work closely in groups with other students who have roughly the same academic interests and ambitions as yourself. This gives you the opportunity to cooperate, share knowledge and to explore larger and more complex academic problems than you would have been able to do on your own. Furthermore, the groups serve a social purpose and make it easier for you to get to know your fellow students.
Learn more about group work at AAU.

The Department of Energy Technology works closely with the industry; particularly some of the leading companies within the field of energy technology. This means that you have the possibility to work with some of the real-life issues and problems that companies and organisations face. This gives you the opportunity to enhance your academic competencies with an industry-oriented and practical angle.

At the Department of Energy teaching is research based. This means that your lecturers are doing research within the same academic fields that they teach. Therefore, you have access to the latest knowledge and dedicated and passionate teachers. The teaching material not only includes books but may also consist of, for example, current academic articles from journals.
Learn more about the teaching methods at AAU and the research programmes at the Department of Energy Technology.

The laboratories at the Department of Energy are of the highest standard and you will work in the best laboratory conditions with access to the latest technology.
Learn more about the laboratory facilities at the Department of Energy Technology.

Previously known primarily for its fishing industry, Esbjerg has developed into a city with two universities and more than 60 higher educational study programmes. Furthermore, Esbjerg has a lot to offer in terms of culture and leisure activities. It is not difficult to find affordable accommodation near campus and Esbjerg is cheaper to live in than most of the other university cities in Denmark.
Learn more about student life in Esbjerg.