Renewable Energy Systems - Environmental and Process Engineering
Germany is at the forefront of renewable energy technologies, and Hamburg is a leading centre for renewable energy industries and research institutions.
HAW Hamburg is a key player in the city’s energy cluster, and renewable energy engineering is a major discipline supported by teaching and research at the university’s energy campus.
The international Master's degree course in Renewable Energy Systems looks at the technology and engineering of wind, solar and bio-energy systems as well as downstream systems for energy transformation and distribution. The course’s focus is on systems engineering. In addition, graduates learn process simulation techniques and can also develop their business and management skills. The course is made up of two semesters of theory and practical lab work and a six-month Master thesis in industry.
Good reasons to study Renewable Energy Systems at HAW Hamburg
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HAW Hamburg has a strong teaching and research track record in the field of renewable energies and energy efficiency. We cover various aspects of renewable energy systems engineering, from solar power to biofuels, biogas, wind turbines, fuel cells and smart grids, to name but a few. Many of our research projects on energy engineering are related to the university’s Competence Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CC4E) and our new Energy Technology Centre. If you join us, you’ll benefit from state-of-the-art expertise.
Further, Hamburg has a Renewable Energy Cluster, frequently hosts international conferences and trade fairs on solar and wind power, and is a key hub for the European wind power industry.
Our Master’s degree course in Renewable Energy Systems – Environmental and Process Engineering was established in 2009 and is well-regarded by our industrial partners. Students usually do their Master thesis in an industrial setting. Graduates have excellent career prospects in Germany, Europe’s most powerful economy.
The right course for you?
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This Master’s degree course in Renewable Energy Systems is centred specifically around systems engineering rather than focusing on more general science. It is open to those who hold a Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree in environmental engineering, process engineering or related engineering sub-fields, such as electrical or mechanical engineering.
Sound knowledge of mathematics, physics, IT, electrical engineering, thermodynamics, (environmental) process engineering and CAD are entry requirements for this course. Candidates also need demonstrable knowledge of specialist course-relevant engineering subjects.
Course content and structure
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This Master's degree course comprises advanced modules in the technology and engineering of:
- Bioenergy systems
- Solar energy systems
- Wind energy systems
- Downstream systems for energy transformation and distribution
The course’s main emphasis is on systems engineering, alongside enhanced mathematical and IT skills and the acquisition of process simulation techniques and business and management competencies. All course content features an applied approach. In addition to lectures, project and lab work is an essential aspect of the programme. Students can get involved in local and international collaborations run by the Faculty of Life Sciences.
The course’s first two semesters consist of small-group lectures, seminars and lab work. Students will complete individual projects on a range of topics and lab work on set research assignments.
You complete your Master thesis in your third semester, usually in an industrial setting with an organisation in the renewables sector. Each semester is worth a total of 30 credit points. See the links below for further details.
Admission requirements
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The admission requirements are as follows:
- A Bachelor's degree or a comparable course of studies in a related discipline or a German Diplom from a university worth 210 credit points
- Knowledge of the English language as demonstrated by Abitur- or Fachhochschulzeugnis (see the admissions policy below) or accepted certificates: TOEFL test (at least 87 points Internet-based), IELTS (minimum Band 5.5) or CAE, CPE, FCE (minimum C) or certificates of achievement from foreign countries (see point 3 in the admissions policy below).
- German language certificate at level A2 from recognised institutions such as Goethe Institute
- Applicants holding a first academic degree (Bachelor, Diploma, etc.) from non-EU-countries: Graduate Record Examination (GRE); further information at www.gre.org.
Additional documents you may submit to enhance your application (optional):
- CV
- Proof of particular professional work experience or scientific achievements (papers, awards, etc.)
Important note for applicants with 180 credit points (ECTS) for courses which require 210 credit points (ECTS) from the first degree: Applicants whose Bachelor's degree consists of 180 credit points (ECTS) must acquire another 30 credit points during the first semester of their studies. The specific department decides which examinations and tuition must be completed. Applicants will then be temporarily admitted and enrolled for one term in order to complete the missing 30 credit points. After the end of the first semester, the department will inform the Student Admissions and Registration Office and the Faculty Service Office whether the missing credit points have been acquired and the student may continue his or her studies.
Application process
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The degree course admits students for the winter semester only (semester 2 in the academic year). Application period for winter semester 2022/23: 1 April–15 May.
Applications for all Master's degree courses are submitted online. The online process is only activated during the application period. It is not possible to apply outside of this time. You do not need to submit hard copies of your application. You can find more information under Applying for a Master's degree course or send an email to master-application(@)haw-hamburg.de
Questions about applications, admissions and degree courses
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Applications and admissions:
HAW Master's Degree Course Admissions Office
Stiftstrasse 69, 20099 Hamburg (Berliner Tor Campus)
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-9898
master-application (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
The Information Point is open at the following times:
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Friday: closed
In-person office hours:
Thursday: 2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Telephone office hours:
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 am–10:00 am
For general queries about degree courses:
Student Counselling Team (Zentrale Studienberatung)
Stiftstrasse 69, 1st floor, room 122
20099 Hamburg
T +49 40 42875 9110
Contact form
Office hours
Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions:
Meike Butenob/Dieter Röh
Stiftstraße 69, Haus 3, room 37
Tel. +49.40.428 75-7220
inklusion (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Contact the department
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For questions about degree course content
Prof. Dr. Timon Kampschulte
Ulmenliet 20, room N 5.06, 21033 Hamburg, Germany
(video) calls on request by e-mail
timon.kampschulte (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
At a glance
Degree
Faculty / Department
No. of semesters
Applications accepted
Language of instruction
Fees/charges
Full-/part-time
Location
Study organisation
Contact information
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Function | Name | Room | |
Student advisor | Prof. Dr. Timon Kampschulte | N5.06 | timon.kampschulte (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de |
Chair of Examination Board | Prof. Dr. Julian Béthune | S2.24 | julien.bethune (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de |
Course timetable
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Course timetable for winter semester 2023/24
Starting information for courses in the departments Bt, Mt, Ut, Vt Here you will find information that is relevant before starting a course. This is, for example, information about access to associated e-learning rooms or online materials or organizational information that is not in the course catalog. www.ls.haw-hamburg.de/startinfos
Please note!!! Short-term changes to lecture times can be found on our Infoboard.
Exam schedule
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Exam schedule (Updated: 23 November 2023)
Short-term room changes will be posted as usual on the faculty Infoboard! (in German only)
Module compendium
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Module compendium (as of winter semester 2019)
Course and examination regulations
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APSO-INGI Änderungen 2021 (in german)
Course and examination regulations 6. Juni 2019 (in German) in myHAW 20192
Course and examination regulations 6. Juni 2019 (in English) in myHAW 20192
Change to the course and examination regulations, 2 Dezember 2021 (in German only)
Admissions and selection criteria
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Admissions and selection criteria 2017 (in German)
Admissions and selection criteria 2017 (in Englisch)
Dates and deadlines
Lecture and semester dates
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Winter semester 2023/24: 1 September 2023–31 March 2024
Lecture period: 9 October 2023–17 February 2024 (including the three-week examination period)
First day of lectures: 9 October 2023
Last day of lectures: 17 February 2024
Christmas holidays (no lectures): 25 December 2023–5 January 2024
Summer semester 2024: 1 April 2024–30 September 2024
Lecture period: 2 April 2024–27 July 2024 (including the three-week examination period)
First day of lectures: 2 April 2024
Last day of lectures: 27 July 2024
Semester date details for winter semester 2023/2024
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Departments: Bt, Mt, Ut, Vt, Ot, Gw
Semester period: 1 September 2023–31 March 2024
Christmas holidays (no lectures): 25 December 2023–5 January 2024
Lecture period: 9 October 2023–26 January 2024
1st half of the semester (E): 19 October–25 November 2023
2nd half of the semester (Z): 27 November 2023–26 January 2024
Examination period: 29 January 2024–16 February 2024
Departments: Ot, Gw
Semester period: 1 September 2023–31 March 2024
Christmas holidays (no lectures): 25 December 2023–5 January 2024
Lecture period: 16 October 2023–2 February 2024
1st half of the semester (E): 16 October–1 December 2023
2nd half of the semester (Z): 4 December 2023–2 February 2024
Examination period: 5 February 2024–16 February 2024
Department of HWI
Semester period: 1 October 2023–31 March 2024
Christmas holidays (no lectures): 24 December 2023–5 January 2024
Lecture period: 16 October 2023–3 February 2024
Variations from the above schedules are listed in the plans of the individual courses. The times from the Department of HWI apply to teacher training.
Course times
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1st quarter: 8:30 am–10:00 am
2nd quarter: 10:15 am–11:45 am
3rd quarter: 12:30 pm–2:00 pm
4th quarter: 2:30 pm–4:00 pm
5th quarter: 4:15 pm–5:45 pm
6th quarter: 6:00 pm–7:30 pm
7th quarter: 7:45 pm–9:15 pm
Re-registration
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To re-register for the new semester, please pay the semester contribution by bank transfer within the re-registration period. Please do not pay before the start of the re-registration period as the final amount will not be determined before this period begins.
Re-registration deadlines
Winter semester: 1 June–15 August
Summer semester: 1 December–15 February
The semester contribution must be in the HAW Hamburg account by the last day of the re-registration period at the latest!
Important: Late re-registration can result in involuntary deregistration from the university. Subsequent re-registration is only possible within the appeals period. Regardless of whether or not deregistration takes place, an additional administrative fee will be charged for late re-registration.
If you are financially unable to pay the semester contribution, you may contact the Students' Union (AStA). In warranted cases it can provide you with a loan.
As soon as the semester contribution is credited to the HAW Hamburg account you can update your chip card, and with it your semester ticket for the public transport system. To do so, you must insert the chip card in a validation station.
All the necessary information about the current semester contribution and your payment status is available through the myHAW campus management system.
Your future career
Career fields
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What career fields can you work in?
An increasing global demand for energy and the effect of global warming require new concepts for a sustainable energy supply. Renewable energy technologies will play a key role in meeting these challenges. The engineering of and dealing with renewable energy systems have already generated a booming branch and a hundred billion euro market worldwide. As more and more countries are going to enforce the use of renewable energy, there is an increasing demand for experts and engineers worldwide. In Germany there already about 280,000 employees in the renewable energy business, with an annual employment growth rate of 10 per cent.
The new postgraduate degree programme 'Renewable Energy Systems – Environmental and Process Engineering' provides in-depth training for engineers working in industry, planning offices, organisations and research.
The typical scope of work for graduates is:
- Engineering (development, planning, design, execution) of solar thermal systems, photovoltaic systems, biogas, biomass to liquid and wind energy systems as well as downstream systems for energy transformation and distribution
- Research and development of certain components and systems for renewable energy plants
- Engineering of hybrid systems for autonomous energy supply
- Integration of renewable energy systems into utility grids
- Operation and servicing of renewable energy plants
- Assessment and management of renewable energy projects
Student advisor

Department Umwelttechnik
Ulmenliet 20, Room N5.06
21033 Hamburg
timon.kampschulte (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
nach Vereinbarung per E-Mail / consultation hours on request by e-mail. Hochschulinterne telefonische Erreichbarkeit über MS TEAMS. [last update 4th November 2022]