Research course

Energy

Institution
Open University · Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Qualifications
PhDMPhil

Entry requirements

The normal minimum entrance requirement is an upper second class honours degree or masters degree.

Months of entry

October

Course content

The interdisciplinary strengths of The Open University are well suited to the challenges of energy science, technology and policy. Central to much of our research is the challenge of deep decarbonization by 2050. Our research considers issues relating to the UK and other advanced economies but also the needs and interests of developing countries.

The OU has a long-standing interest in matters relating to civil nuclear power at both a technical and a more policy-oriented level. The university is engaged with matters relating to the future of our energy system, particularly involving cleaner and smarter systems. The issues extend beyond the ‘physical layer’ of power flows, to include the ‘cyber layer’ of information technology and the ‘social layer’ of end-user behaviours. Other research includes deterministic and statistical modelling and dynamical and complex systems including applications in smart grids, energy storage, demand forecasting and power system reliability. More generally there is research into smart energy futures.

The OU has a very well-established capability in energy materials science especially as concerns steel metallurgy and materials engineering. These interests include bonding and residual stresses – topics of great interest to the energy sector. In addition, we have energy materials work in the following areas: nano-structures, graphene, innovative solar photovoltaics, electricity storage (batteries), nuclear materials and semi-conductor science.

The OU has a very well-established capability in energy materials science especially as concerns steel metallurgy and materials engineering. These interests include bonding and residual stresses – topics of great interest to the energy sector. In addition, we have energy materials work in the following areas: nano-structures, graphene, innovative solar photovoltaics, electricity storage (batteries), nuclear materials and semi-conductor science.

At the interface of science, technology, industrial strategy and government policy the OU researches hydrogen-based energy systems including whole-system (production through to use) technology assessment. We consider both hydrogen from natural gas and renewable-power based ‘green hydrogen’.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • PhD
    part time
    96 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    • Distance learningis available for this qualification
    full time
    48 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
  • MPhil
    part time
    72 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    • Distance learningis available for this qualification
    full time
    48 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Graduate School
Email
research-degrees-office@open.ac.uk