CAS 3A Applied Technology in Energy
ETH Zurich’s CAS programme in Applied Technology in Energy (CAS ETH ATE) is designed to provide professionals with a deeper understanding in the rapidly evolving world of energy and electrification. It will help participants to better understand the ongoing “Energy Revolution” and enable them to shape the energy future of their company and industry.
Reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 will require a radical shift towards renewable energies and electric vehicles – a transition that will bring new challenges such as variability in power generation. Participants will learn how energy generation, storage, distribution and consumption is organized today and is currently changing from a science and applied technology perspective. A strong emphasis is given to technology applications that impact multiple industries beyond the energy industries, including manufacturing, electronics, automotive/transport and building construction and management. In all of these industries, the “Energy Revolution” will continue to have significant impacts on product design and core operations for many years. The CAS will explore the practical business impacts of these energy technologies using case studies and examples from industry.
DownloadDownload to the brochure CAS ATE (PDF, 475 KB)
““Industry needs to make strategic investments decisions with far reaching consequences on our energy future, today. This means also further developing the employees to understand and apply relevant technologies””Dr. Christian Schaffner, Executive Director of the ETH Energy Science Center and Lecturer in the CAS ETH ATE Programme
Participants complete 4 modules over 14 weeks from April to July. Classes are generally conducted in either a block format or blended learning format to minimize time away from work. Classes are held at ETH Zentrum campus every other week for one full day and one half day (typically Friday all day and Saturday morning), and the programme is thus well suited as a part-time study programme.
Total workload is approximately 300 hours (~21 hours/week) and successful graduates earn a total of 12 ECTS credits.
The programme is only offered in English.
Dr. Christian Schaffner
This course module provides an introduction to the fundamental science and the underlying technology used throughout the rest of the CAS.
Participants will learn how today’s energy system (including energy generation, distribution and consumption) functions and will understand the underlying scientific principles, technologies as well as the regulatory framework. Special attention will be paid to understanding renewable (solar & wind) electricity generation and why this rapidly evolving technology is driving change in multiple industries. If time permits, the basics of climate change science and its relationship to energy related business decisions will be discussed as well.
To start, there is an online review module which acts as a pre-requisite for the entire CAS ATE. It introduces the basics in mathematics, electric elements and electric DC and AC networks. With an "Assessment Quiz" students can identify their knowledge gaps and close these, if needed. The rest of the Energy Fundamentals module is also organised in a self-learning online module, with weekly contact hours to discuss questions with teaching assistants.
Dr. Christian Prehal & Prof. Dr. Vanessa Wood
This course module will take a deeper look at the most important technologies for electrical energy storage in industry, with an emphasis on batteries. Participants will be introduced to the energy storage technologies in use in industry as well as technology– and market–driven opportunities for change and new applications. The design, manufacture, operation, and usage scenarios of lithium ion batteries will be explained in detail. Future improvements in battery energy storage will be explored in terms of both likely progress and critical barriers.
Prof. Dr. Christian Franck & Prof. Dr. Gabriela Hug
For decades, electric power grid systems remained essentially unchanged. Now, they are undergoing significant changes driven by technology. This course module helps participants understand the fundamental setup and workings of the electric power grid.
Participants will learn about the technical operation and management of traditional power grid systems. The fundamental equipment and mechanisms responsible for transforming and transporting electricity to end users and the concept of AC power will be explained. Typical grid connections and management and the underlying physical principles will be discussed. The opportunities for and barriers to future grid technology and systems from both an operator’s and end user’s perspective will be explored, potentially including distributed generation, microgrids/islanding, demand response, virtual power plants, etc.
Dr. Christian Schaffner
The focus of this course module is on understanding the practical implications of the energy transistion taking place in industry, including electrification technology and their practical application in multiple industries.
This course takes a case study approach to look at how electrification is currently impacting products and technology use in manufacturing, electronics, automotive/ transport, building construction and facilities management. Some policy and regulatory elements may be discussed to provide context, but the focus is on understanding the technical and practical aspects of implementation.
The students will be working on actual cases provided by industry partners. They will also interact with Master students from ETH Zurich working in the domain, and finally challenge their findings and results with industry experts.
Please apply online through the School for Continuing Education website.
After submitting the application and uploading supporting documentation, you will be asked to pay the application fee. See the Application section of our website for more information on How To Apply as well as Selection & Admission.
The deadline for applying to the CAS ATE is 15 March
(Application window: 30 November to 15 March)
CAS only participants: CHF 8’500.-
MAS AT participants:
The regular MAS tuition fees include the cost of one elective CAS 3 such as the CAS in Applied Technology in Energy. If you have already successfully completed an elective CAS 3, then there will be an additional cost to follow the subsequent one.
For MAS in Applied Technology participants, this is one of the CAS in the programme and introduces participants to technologies and concepts that are critical for understanding modern power grids and concepts for achieving a sustainable and secure energy supply.
MAS AT Structure