Advanced Data and AI for Energy to accelerate the Green Deal

ongoing

Over the last years, data & AI skills are growing in importance in the energy sector and become key requirements for energy engineers. Research shows that there is still a large gap between industry needs and the general academic offer. To achieve the Green Deal objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and promoting the integration of renewable energy sources, education providers need to accelerate the training of engineering talents and energy professionals in digital skills. This project proposal aims to design and deliver a 120 ECTS Master’s double degree programme that uniquely combines energy domain knowledge with data & AI skills, and innovation and entrepreneurship skills. The project also plans to offer flexible and stackable self-standing modules certifying a wider audience of learners, including working professionals. The project consortium consists of 3 university partners, 1 associated university partner, 1 business school, 1 research partner and 8 industry partners from 10 EU countries, coordinated by EIT InnoEnergy. The industry partners will take an active role in the design, implementation and dissemination activities ensuring maximum fit to the skill gap for advanced data & AI skills in sustainable energy. The project will implement a comprehensive curriculum based on the InnoEnergy Data Science for Energy Engineers skills framework validated by an industry advisory board. It will employ active learning and project- and challenge-based learning approaches, co-designed and co-delivered with the industry partners. The project will use a part of the grant to award scholarships, fee waivers and mobility budgets to applicants, and aims to reach a minimum of 150 students graduating or starting the full degree programme, and 300 learners obtaining a professional certificate by the end of the project. A financial sustainability plan will guarantee the continuation of the new educational offering by InnoEnergy Masters+.