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4. Energy Innovation

Course Fact File

Code	NE6202
Duration	15 weeks
NFQ Level	Level 9
Fees	€900 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	7 Sep 2026
Credits	5
Start Date	September 2026

Outline

The goal of this course is to teach students the concepts, practices and real-world experiences of energy technology innovation and energy sector innovation which includes the following content: 

• Energy technology innovation. 
• Technology readiness levels. 
• Research frontier for energy supply and demand technologies. 
• Designing and solving research problems. 
• Multi-criteria analysis and evaluation. 
• Global & country RD&D trends. 
• Analysis of patent databases. 
• Energy system innovation. 
• Innovation lifecycle indicators. 
• Technology innovation system. 
• Technology learning processes. 
• Energy systems modelling of innovation. 
• Diffusion of innovations. 
• Science-push, market-pull, and policy-support innovation dynamics. 
• Energy sector innovation. 
• Start-ups and accelerator programs. 
• Incumbent perspectives and testimonies. 
• Decision-support tools. 
• EN-Roads energy modelling software. 
• Multi-disciplinary group problem-solving. 

Schedule Information

30 x 1Hr(s) Lectures 

2 x 2Hr(s) Tutorials 

Assessment

Written examination & continuous assessment  

Why Choose

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to

1. Describe the key concepts, important trends, and current challenges in energy innovation.
2. Describe the complex interrelationship between innovation in energy technology, energy systems and the energy sector and how this can influence approaches to problem-solving.
3. Describe and discuss the research frontier of a wide range of energy technologies. 
4. Analyse and propose systematic approaches to findings solutions for the innovation challenges of energy technologies at different TRLs, scales, and stages (i.e. supply, demand).
5. Compare and critically evaluate the multi-dimensional diffusion of innovation challenges for different energy technologies in different settings and environments.
6. Design an energy technology innovation system to address particular innovation system challenges.
7. Work in a multi-disciplinary setting and present findings of an evaluation of the impact of a long-term energy innovation strategy using the EN-Roads decision support tool. 

Requirements

Applicants must have:  

A Second Class Honours Grade 2 (or equivalent) in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8) in any discipline 
of Engineering OR 

a Second Class Honours Grade 2 (or equivalent) in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8) in areas of science that required having completed level 8 mathematical subjects deemed equivalent to those of engineering (e.g. Physics, Mathematical Sciences, some Computing Science degrees), pending assessment by Programme Director OR 

a pass in any accredited level 8 Engineering degree followed by professional experience deemed of sufficient added value, pending assessment by the Programme Director. 

A quota will be allocated to applicants who do not meet these entry requirements. These applicants will be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning and assessed on the following factors: 

• Academic achievement 
• Prior Work Experience 
• Letter of Reference 
• Personal Statement 

Fees and Costs

€900

How To Apply

Apply here and link to ACE website: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ne6202/