The Smart Energy Systems Engineering program

About the Program:

The rapid evolution of energy technology across commercial, industrial, and residential sectors has led to increased investment in modern digital systems. These systems aim to optimize energy use and reduce costs to keep pace with developments and competition. As renewable energy integration and advanced centralized digital systems for measuring and regulating energy usage in facilities continue to advance rapidly, there is a shortage of specialized engineers in smart energy systems in the job market. To address this need and align students with emerging employment trends, the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering has introduced the Smart Energy Systems Engineering program. This program provides students with technical knowledge and training in smart energy systems, integrating applications of smart control systems and data technology into electrical engineering applications, ultimately expanding their career options post-graduation.

Article 32 of the Egyptian Constitution requires the state to utilize renewable energy sources effectively, promote investment in them, and support scientific research in this field. Consequently, the introduction of the new Electricity Law No. 87 of 2015 establishes a legal and regulatory framework that allows private companies to sell their electricity production to consumers and permits third parties to access and use the electricity grid for a fee. This creates new opportunities to develop technically efficient and economically viable systems for utilizing new and renewable energy sources. This emphasizes the pressing need to equip engineers with a comprehensive set of engineering skills that are in demand by the job market, enabling them to design and develop engineering systems for monitoring and controlling energy usage. It also highlights the critical need to graduate specialized engineers in smart energy systems engineering.

The program stands out by providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the design, installation, and development of smart energy systems. This involves gaining insight into the fundamental aspects that support these smart systems, including energy generation, distribution, storage, information systems, data analysis, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, and sustainable energy systems and regulations.

Our program achieves its goals through the following methods:

Integration of energy engineering principles with computer engineering, data analysis, and sustainable energy systems and regulations.
Use of scientific research methods to encourage students to explore new developments in smart energy systems engineering.
Provision of a work-like environment for students to acquire practical skills during their studies.
Availability of integrated facilities for practical applications alongside theoretical studies.
Offer of a credit-hour system as well as the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), allowing students to choose from a range of courses for specialization while maintaining the possibility of active participation in academic and social activities.
Implementation of a practical training plan within and outside the university to align with the curriculum and the evolving job market needs.
Provision of secondary specializations that students can enroll in outside their main area of specialization, which will be mentioned on their graduation certificate.

Mission and Objective of the Program:

The Smart Energy Systems Engineering program is designed to provide students with the interdisciplinary skills and knowledge needed to tackle the quickly changing challenges in the energy industry. It focuses on innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in energy systems by blending engineering principles, advanced technology, and a thorough comprehension of environmental impact. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to create, execute, and oversee smart energy solutions that promote sustainable development.

The program aims to equip graduates with essential skills to design highly efficient and reliable systems, reducing energy consumption costs, and mitigating the environmental impacts of commercial, industrial, and residential activities. It focuses on designing and testing innovative engineering solutions to minimize negative environmental impacts. Over several years, graduates of the Smart Energy Systems Engineering program at Nile University's Faculty of Energy and Environment Engineering are expected to fulfill the requirements of sustainable community development.

Graduates should be able to engage in continuous self-learning within an ethical framework of the profession and perform the following roles:

A scientifically and technically integrated professional practitioner in the field of smart energy systems engineering.
A capable researcher who can identify and accurately describe engineering problems in smart energy systems engineering and systematically address them to achieve innovative solutions.
A team member in local or international institutions capable of successful career progression within their specialization and should assume leadership roles due to their integrated teamwork skills, communication abilities, and systematic and creative problem-solving skills.
An entrepreneur making an impact in the field of smart energy systems engineering and sustainable development.
Capable of professional development and continuous self-learning to achieve a thriving career path that successfully adapts to all technological advancements.

Skills and Career path:

In the current decade, companies and institutions are facing significant challenges in achieving digital transformation, sustainability, reducing energy consumption costs, and minimizing environmental impacts. At the same time, the world is witnessing a radical shift in smart systems engineering amid a new digital revolution, creating new opportunities and a tangible need for engineering skills in smart energy systems. In response to these needs, the Smart Energy Systems Engineering program will enable a wide and diverse range of career paths in energy engineering.

Modern approaches in data engineering and electronics form the basis for modern automated control applications, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Graduates of this program will become ideal candidates to help companies and institutions achieve their goals in designing smart systems to manage and organize energy consumption, reduce emissions, and minimize environmental impact according to the latest Egyptian and global code requirements.

Graduates from this program will be eligible to work in the following areas:

Renewable energy generation fields (solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric power).
Energy storage and conversion systems.
Renewable energy-powered desalination.
Consulting engineering firms for designing, operating, improving performance, and maintaining renewable energy generation equipment and units.
Electric power distribution companies.
Private businesses in manufacturing, supplying, installing, and maintaining renewable energy conversion equipment.
Petroleum companies, refineries, factories, and companies related to new and renewable energy fields.
Research institutes in renewable energy sectors in governmental sectors and universities.
Renewable energy project management fields.
Renewable energy marketing companies.
Construction companies for implementing new and renewable energy system projects.
Trade and investment companies in new and renewable energy equipment and systems.
All industrial sectors involve interaction and integration between artificial intelligence systems, vital electronic systems, and computer systems.
Scientific research centers and bodies responsible for controlling electronic projects and system management.
Research and development centers in factories and technological companies.

Graduate Attributes:

The program is designed to meet the specific requirements for graduates set by the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education. These requirements include the following:

Proficiency in a wide range of engineering knowledge, specialized skills, and the ability to apply acquired knowledge using theories and abstract thinking in real-life situations.
Application of analytical, critical, and systematic thinking to identify, diagnose, and solve complex and diverse engineering problems.
Professional conduct and adherence to engineering ethics and standards.
Working within and leading diverse teams of professionals from various engineering disciplines, taking personal responsibility and ensuring team performance.
Recognizing one's role in advancing the engineering field and contributing to the development of the profession and society.
Appreciating the importance of environmental, material, and natural resources, and working to promote sustainability principles.
Utilizing modern engineering techniques, skills, and tools necessary for engineering practice.
Taking full responsibility for self-learning and self-development, engaging in lifelong learning, and demonstrating the ability to participate in postgraduate and research studies.
Effective communication with stakeholders using various media and tools and demonstrating the ability to use digital tools and media to address academic/professional challenges critically and innovatively.
Demonstrating leadership qualities, business management, and entrepreneurial skills.