Energy Engineering

   Energy Engineering is a comprehensive field that includes theoretical and practical courses aimed at training skilled experts for designing, developing, managing, and operating extraction, processing, conversion, transfer, distribution, and consumption of energy systems. The continuous undergraduate course lasts 4 years (8 semesters).

   Currently, the growing demand for energy is met through the expansion of energy supply systems and utilization of fossil energy resources. The rapid increase in energy consumption and the high share of fossil fuels in meeting the energy needs of various consumer sectors have accelerated the depletion of fossil energy resources and released substantial amounts of pollutants into the environment. Furthermore, the country's economy heavily depends on revenues from exports of fossil energy resources, causing the national economic system to be significantly influenced by global energy market developments. On the other hand, the extensive connection of the energy sector with various technical, scientific, economic, and social changes necessitates the optimal design, development, and operation of energy systems. Consequently, universities play a crucial and fundamental role in training educated and efficient human resources in various energy fields. Considering the key role of global energy interactions, reviewing the experiences of different countries in this field holds particular importance. The creation of Energy Engineering disciplines in universities and research centers worldwide began in the 1970s due to the rapid increase in energy prices and the essential need to train specialists in various energy fields. From the mid-1970s, following the global oil market shock and given the complexity of energy sector issues and the urgent need of countries to train specialists to find appropriate solutions in various energy sectors, research and educational centers gradually emerged in the United States, major EU member countries, and some Asian countries.

   The introduction of Energy Systems Engineering at the graduate level was proposed in 1997 (1376 AH) and its necessity was approved by the Graduate Studies Council and Sharif University of Technology’s council. Official authorization was obtained in 1999 (1378 AH) from the Expansion Council at the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. Admission to the master's program in Energy Systems Engineering at Sharif University of Technology started in October 1999 (Mehr 1378 AH). The Energy Systems group began accepting Ph.D. students in the Energy Conversion specialization within the Mechanical Engineering faculty in 2002 (1381 AH). In 2009 (1388 AH), the doctoral program for Energy Systems Engineering was approved in the Faculty of Energy Engineering, and from 2011 (1390 AH), the Ph.D. admissions in this field commenced. Qom University of Technology also admitted students to the Energy Engineering program for the first time in October 2013 (Mehr 1392 AH).

Specializations:

• Energy Systems:

   In this research area, students learn simulation techniques for combined systems (cycles of energy production, distribution, and consumption), such as combined heat and power systems or cogeneration, aiming to evaluate the position of energy carriers and take a specialized step toward examining systems from an energy engineering perspective. Additionally, addressing energy sector problems through technical and economic project assessments forms the next and complementary phase of this research. In this specialization, foundational laws of mechanics, thermodynamics, and power engineering serve as the basis for initial modeling of system energy balance. The technological orientation is directed toward optimization and minimizing energy consumption. It can also support macro-level energy management, assist decision-making in affiliated institutions and organizations, and provide integrated viewpoints for planning in industries and energy sectors, including the Ministry of Petroleum and Ministry of Energy.

• Energy Technologies:

   This research field covers various conceptual design methods for advanced energy conversion systems, combined heat, power, and cooling generation systems, and capabilities of different renewable energy systems using analytical tools such as mathematical programming models, computational fluid dynamics, and experimental tests. Graduates of this specialization can familiarize themselves with advanced energy technologies and the potentials of renewable energy sources in the country. Besides developing technical knowledge in this area, they undertake drafting expansion plans for modern technologies (roadmaps or strategic documents) within the country.

• Energy and Environment:

   This field investigates the mutual relationship between energy and the environment using analytical tools like fluid dynamics equations, mass and heat transfer equations, considering economic factors. Models for pollutant dispersion are analyzed through various computational fluid dynamics methods. Students study and examine energy recovery methods from waste and residues, playing a significant role in environmental protection and reducing pollution. Since a large portion of environmental pollution arises from fossil fuel combustion for energy supply, principles and methods to reduce environmental pollutants and their technical-economic assessments are among the main topics explored. Environmental laws and regulations, trade, optimizing water consumption and preserving water resources, industrial wastewater treatment and reuse, structural policymaking, and finally, enforcement of environmental standards are also integral components of research in this specialization.

Job opportunities for graduates of this program can be broadly summarized into two sectors:

Public Sector: Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Energy, National Iranian Oil Company, Fuel Consumption Optimization Company, Iran Renewable Energy Organization, Energy Efficiency Organization, Environmental Protection Organization, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the International Energy Studies Institute, Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, Tavanir, and regional electricity companies, Ministry of Roads & Urban Development, and other decision-making organizations in the country’s energy sector.