GeoThermie / GeoEnergie
M.Sc.
Overview
The energy transition will completely transform Germany's energy supply: moving away from nuclear and fossil fuels towards renewable energies. According to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, by 2025, 40 to 45 percent, and by 2050, at least 80 percent of our energy should come from renewable sources. Geothermal energy can play an important role in the renewable energy mix of the future to cover the required base load and fill gaps in the electricity supply. Unlike wind and solar energy, which are only available intermittently, geothermal energy can be used continuously.
Bavaria is a leader in geothermal energy in Germany; the conditions for using this future technology are particularly favorable due to the extensive presence of hot deep waters. Training geothermal energy experts at Bavarian universities, in close proximity to existing facilities, provides students with excellent practical experience.
The Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and the Technical University of Munich, therefore, offer a joint master's program in GeoThermie/GeoEnergie. The goal is to train highly qualified professionals in the field of geothermal energy for the growing renewable energy market. The program provides relevant teaching content from the exploration and development of the resource to the energetic use and storage of thermal energy.
Which further expertise and skills will I acquire?
The program not only covers modern exploration methods for locating resources, such as seismic interpretation, tectonics, reservoir geology, and modeling, but also the necessary knowledge for sustainable and resource-efficient development and use, including geomechanics, rock physics, hydrochemistry, flow and heat transport modeling, extraction, energy, and drilling technology. The economic-ecological and legal frameworks are addressed through courses in energy economics, business administration in the context of energy, environmental and procurement law, and citizen participation. Additionally, the program imparts qualifications such as innovative, interdisciplinary thinking and action in the exploration and use of geoenergy resources; a holistic view of geothermal and other geoenergy resources—from exploration and development to their use and storage; and the transfer of geological and engineering geological expertise to other questions concerning the deep geological subsurface (e.g., gas, fluid, and heat storage).
Which professional opportunities can I take up with this qualification?
Worldwide, industrial locations depend on the long-term availability of affordable, base-load-capable energy. Increasing demand and simultaneous depletion of "conventional" energy carriers such as oil and natural gas, the complexity of "unconventional" energy carriers, but also the high demand for "clean" renewable energy like geothermal energy due to the desired energy transition, create new challenges. This increasingly enlarges the need for interdisciplinary-trained geoscientists who can oversee and apply interdisciplinary contexts and decision-making processes in the exploration, economic development, and sustainable use of geoenergy resources.
Employment fields:
- Energy and raw materials industry
- Engineering offices for exploration, development, and use of renewable energies, e.g., geothermal energy, and conventional and unconventional energy carriers, e.g., oil, natural gas, etc.
- Exploration of underground storage
- Geotechnics and mining
- Engineering offices and consulting firms
- Insurance companies and expert offices
- Environmental authorities and associations
- Educational institutions
- Universities and research institutions
Structure
In the first semester, an introduction to geoenergy resources takes place, where geoscientific fundamentals are deepened. Additionally, the topics of wellbore geology, process machinery and apparatus technology, drilling technology and borehole geophysics, as well as licensing and energy/resource law, are introduced. Block courses are held during the lecture-free period.
In the second semester, knowledge of geophysical exploration and the compositional, petrophysical, geomechanical, and geophysical characterization and evaluation of reservoir rocks is deepened. Additionally, there is an introduction to business administration and energy economics & environmental law. During the lecture-free period, block courses and Key Qualification Module 1 (Citizen Participation) are conducted.
In the third semester, knowledge of research modules on seismic reservoir interpretation, reservoir geology, reservoir petrology and fluids, reservoir hydraulics, and energetic systems, whose contents serve the direct preparation and technical orientation for the master's thesis, is deepened. During the lecture-free period, Key Qualification Module 2 (industry internship, project work, or field exercises) takes place.
The fourth semester is dedicated to the preparation of the master's thesis and its defense in the master's colloquium.
The study program is primarily located in Erlangen (GeoZentrum Nordbayern). During the first semester, all courses take place in Erlangen. In the second and third semesters, you will attend courses in Munich (city center and Garching) up to 2 days per week. The travel costs are covered by the study program. In the fourth semester, you have the opportunity to conduct and be supervised for your master's thesis in Erlangen or Munich.
Costs
Tuition
HK$0.00
(international)
HK$0.00
(home)
Funding
Admissions
Qualifications
The admission is based on Aptitude Assessment for Master.
Language requirements
DSH
2