The Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) is a research centre into
renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. It includes sources such as sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. Although most renewable energy ...
based in the Department of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University in England.
Profile
Established in 1993, it is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence in its field particularly in photovoltaic systems, materials and devices, wind power and integration of renewable energy into electricity grids. About fifty researchers, academics and associated staff are involved with CREST's work.
The MSc course in Renewable Energy Systems Technology, developed at CREST, is one of the longest established renewable energy masters courses globally. It is producing a stream of graduates who are working internationally in all aspects of the renewables industry. This course can be studied full-time or part-time distance learning. As an advanced technology course, the modules in the CREST
MSc include biomass, wind, solar, water/marine and electrical integration. There is a strong emphasis on electrical generation throughout.
History
The centre was initially set up through the funding of Professor Tony Marmont of Beacon Energy, who remains a mentor and advisory committee member. Other advisory members include Sir
Jonathon Porritt
Sir Jonathon Espie Porritt, 2nd Baronet, CBE (born 6 July 1950) is a British environmentalist and writer.
He is known for his advocacy of the Green Party of England and Wales.
Porritt frequently contributes to magazines, newspapers and books ...
and Dr
Andrew Garrad of Garrad Hassan & Partners Ltd. Professor Phil Eames is the director of CREST and Leon Freris is a visiting professor. Professor Freris, and Dr David Sharpe, a leading British wind turbine aerodynamicist who also worked at the centre, were founding members of the British Wind Energy Association (now
RenewableUK RenewableUK, formerly known as the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA), is the trade association for wind power, wave power and tidal power industries in the United Kingdom. RenewableUK has over 660 corporate members, from wind, wave and tidal st ...
). David Sharpe has since become known for his work as the inventor of the
Aerogenerator.
Associations
The Masters course is one of only sixteen programmes in the UK admitted to the
Panasonic
formerly between 1935 and 2008 and the first incarnation of between 2008 and 2022, is a major Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate corporation, headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Kadoma, Osaka P ...
Fellowship programme (run by the Royal Academy of Engineering). The Panasonic Fellowship programme is aimed at recent graduates who wish to embark on a full-time master's degree course in environmental studies or sustainable development.
CREST is a participating university in the EUREC European Masters Program in Renewable Energy,
''European Masters Course''
/ref> an initiative supported by the European Commission to expand the European renewable energy industry.
The group is located in the Holywell Park area of the Loughborough campus, adjacent to the offices of the Energies Technology Institute (ETI).
References
External links
Official site of CREST
Official site of Department of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
European Masters in Renewable Energy
{{Loughborough University
Loughborough University
Research institutes in Leicestershire
Renewable energy organizations
Organisations based in Leicestershire
Organizations established in 1993
Buildings and structures in Leicestershire
Renewable energy in England
1993 establishments in England