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 Andrew Garrad (born 8 November 1953 in Braunston, England) is an engineer and businessman and one of the pioneers of the modern wind energy industry. In 1984 he co-founded the consulting company Garrad Hassan ("GH") which supported the industry ...

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 A wind turbine is a device that converts the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy. Hundreds of thousands of large turbines, in installations known as wind farms, now generate over 650 gigawatts of power, with 60 GW added each year. W ...

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 conglomerate corporation, headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka. It was founded by Kōnosuke Matsushita in 1918 as a lightbulb ...

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