The programme is conducted in English with a combination of lectures and problem-based projects where you and your study group tackle real-world problems within the design, diagnosis, maintenance and optimisation of electrical energy systems. You will learn to perform numerical analyses, conduct surveys and develop systems that form an integral part in industrial products and processes such as offshore wind energy, underwater robots or electric mobility.

When you have completed the Master's in Advanced Power Electronics, you will be a Master of Science in Engineering and have a strong technical profile with specialised knowledge in power electronics, control engineering and electric drive systems. You will have experience in using artificial intelligence in technical solutions and working with developing and testing ideas in practice – both in the laboratory and in collaboration with companies. You can design, analyse and optimise advanced energy systems and contribute to the development of the sustainable technologies of the future.

With a Master’s in Advanced Power Electronics, you can work with development, research, consultancy and technical management for both Danish and international companies. You can shape the solutions of the future within energy supply, wind energy, machine production and the process industry. Many graduates find jobs at companies such as Vestas, Danfoss, Grundfos, ABB, Siemens, Ørsted and KK Wind Solutions – typically in roles such as development engineer, specialist, project manager or technology consultant.

You and your project group analyse the diagnosis and maintenance of different electronic, power electronic or drive systems. Your focus could be on the actual design of the diagnostic system, different system identification methods or maintenance strategies, for example.

You analyse and model the system you have chosen, and then you do experiments in the laboratories to verify the system, a model of the system, or parts of the system.

You will work problem based and project oriented and learn methods for project management.

Courses

• System Identification and Diagnosis (5 ECTS)
• Machine Learning and Condition Monitoring (5 ECTS)
• Probability Theory, Stochastic Processes and Applied Statistics (5 ECTS)

Project

• Diagnosis and Maintenance (15 ECTS)

Examples of project topics

• Parameter identification and modelling of PV systems
• Fault detection of microgrids and power electronic converters
• Design of a current protection circuit for a grid-connected energy storage system
• Parameter identification and modelling of mechatronic systems.

In the second semester, your project focuses on a power electronic converter, a power source, and an application, typically an AC electrical machine or an AC grid. When you and your project group have chosen a system to study, you describe the operating principles for the system. You also formulate a control problem including the key specifications and find a relevant digital control method for the system.

You select at least one method for practical implementation in a real system incorporating a power electronic converter, a power source and a load, and a real‐time digital control system based on a digital signal processor or a micro controller in the laboratory.

The project work is documented by a scientific paper, and you will participate in an internal student conference arranged by the department. You will learn to communicate scientific results in a professional manner.

Courses

• Non-linear Control and Reliability (5 ECTS)
• Advanced Power Electronics and Applications (5 ECTS)
• Dynamic Modelling of Electrical Machines and Control Systems (5 ECTS)

Project

• Control of Power Electronic Systems (15 ECTS)

Examples of project topics

• Control of grid connected inverters for renewable energy systems
• Design and control of DC-DC converters
• Dynamic modelling and control of drones
• Modelling and optimisation of a drone’s power and propulsion system

During the third semester, you have different options to earn the required 30 ECTS:

• You can do a traineeship in Denmark or abroad, where you will stay at an external organisation and work on one main task which fulfils the learning goals of the semester.
• You can do a study abroad, joining another university or educational institution abroad.
• You can do a regular semester at AAU with elective courses and project work.
• You can begin your master’s thesis and do a long master thesis so your work on the same topic on both your third and fourth semesters.

Aalborg University has collaboration agreements with universities around the world, and the programme’s research environment has a wide range of traineeship contacts.

If you opt to stay at Aalborg University, you will choose elective courses that give you 10 ECTS credits, and you will work on a project that includes an application in a power electronic converter, a power source and an embedded system.

Elective courses

• Elective course (5 ECTS)
• Elective course (5 ECTS)

The elective courses may vary from year to year, depending on the number of students in the various specialisations, the on-going projects and the research performed at the Department of Energy . 

Project

• Advanced Control in Industrial Electronics (20 ECTS)

You write your Master’s thesis in the fourth semester, and you will draw on all the knowledge, experience and skills you have acquired during your studies. Depending on your choice of topic, your thesis will involve developmental work, further development, or actual research.

Master’s thesis

• Self-selected topic (30 ECTS)

Examples of thesis topics

• Design and control power electronic converters
• Model-based prediction of the condition of electric drive systems
• Advanced energy management system for smart energy systems
• Intelligent drone navigation and control utilising advanced sensors and vision
• Intelligent and reliable control of industrial robotic systems

The curriculum for Advanced Power Electronics.

Graduates in Advanced Power Electronics have a wide range of job opportunities. You can work in planning, development, consulting and research in Danish and international industries or public institutions.

Problem-based learning and working in groups during your study programme will give you many useful skills that make you an attractive candidate on the job market. You will know how to approach a problem and solve it in collaboration with other people, and this is often how things are done in the "real world".

With a Master’s degree in Advanced Power Electronics, you will have a wide range of career possibilities, including at R&D departments in major companies working with control of power electronic converters and electrical machines. You can work at R&D, departments or in senior management positions in energy supply companies, such as wind power, machine manufacturing companies, or in process industries, electro-technical and consultancy companies, etc.

Graduates now have jobs at

• Vestas, working on wind energy for converter and generator design
• Danfoss and Grundfos, working on electrical drives
• ABB and Siemens, working on high power converters for compensation or active filters or for machine design
• KK Wind Solutions, working on control of converters

As an engineer in Advanced Power Electronics you can work within the following areas, for example:

• Integration and operation of wind turbines
• Energy optimisation of apparatus, systems and households
• Development of new energy technologies and systems
• Analysing new energy technologies
• Researching energy resources
• Consulting
• Teaching
• Assessing the sustainability of different forms of energy
• Diagnostics and maintenance
• Control development

AAU Career helps you on your way from student life to job life in Denmark by giving you the tools to examine your options and find out what to do.

While studying at AAU, you can participate in career and job-related events, find help on our website, and book a personal career counselling session to talk about e.g.:

• Finding your way in your career
• Danish working culture
• Application and CV the Danish way
• What you can offer an employer
• How to go about job search in Denmark – both student job, internship and full-time job

Read more about AAU Career here