Doctoral Programme in Energy Systems

The Doctoral Programme in Energy Systems offers a possibility to study and conduct research leading to a doctoral degree in the following research fields:

The research themes of the doctoral education in Energy Market and Solar Economy are typically holistic social, technical and/or economical approaches related to the energy transition.
The research questions are associated with

market and business models,
smart grids,
renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, bio, geo, ocean),
energy storage options (for electricity, heat, fuels, such as batteries, pumped hydro, thermal energy, hydrogen caverns, etc.),
infrastructure requirements (grids, networks, pipelines, etc.),
demand-side management,
power-to-X routes (X as gases, liquids, mobility, water, products),
integration and coupling of different energy sectors (power, heat, cooling, transport, industry, desalination, carbon dioxide removal),
thus flexibility of energy systems in various regards,
regulation of energy systems,
management of climate change,
energy communities,
social impact of technological interventions,
information and communication technologies applied in the management of energy systems, and
techno-economic modelling of energy systems (from local to regional, national, continental and global levels) and their transition to high levels of sustainability.

The graduates of this program have been successfully employed in energy sector companies and academic institutions.

Enthusiasm and an interest in technology, economic calculation, assessment of social impact, mathematical modelling of optimisation problems, and system-level thinking provide an excellent basis for completing a doctorate in the field.

Further information

Professor (tenured) Pedro Juliano Nardelli

The research in Energy Engineering is based on deep understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid flow, advanced computational methods and use of process models related to energy production. The applications of Energy Engineering focus on energy conversion, energy efficiency and energy systems. The main research areas are the systems and technologies of renewable energy like energy reserves and heat pumps, nuclear energy, bioenergy, turbomachines, and the function of energy markets, market regulation and new business models.

The basic idea of the doctoral education in Energy Engineering is applying systematic, high-quality and well-organized nationwide interdisciplinary doctoral training that rests on strong theoretical capability to model heat transfer, fluid flow and power plant components and systems. Another objective is strong international character, which is implemented by students participating in international seminars and conferences, as well as through researcher and teacher exchange with foreign partner universities.

Research results are created by research groups, whose financing is applied separately from national (Finnish Academy of Sciences, Business Finland, foundations) and international (EU, Nordic funds, etc.) sources, as well as companies in the energy sector. Results are published in the recognized, refereed international journals and conferences.

Energy Engineering trains Doctors of Science to work on a broad scope of jobs – academic, private business, public sector – in positions where competence demands are the highest.

Further information

Professor (tenured) Teemu Turunen-Saaresti

In collaboration

Politecnico di Milano

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Delft University of Technology

Technical University of Denmark

The goal of the research field of Sustainability Science is to develop current processes and product systems towards sustainability and create methods to evaluate and develop sustainability of systems. In order to manage risks threatening sustainability it is necessary to find the most cost-effective and environmental friendly options for existing production and consumption habits.

In order to support sustainable development system thinking is needed and the ability to combine several technologies in different applications. In Sustainability Science it is essential to examine different sectors of the product and service system as a wholeness throughout a life cycle. Such sectors consist of for example manufacturing processes, energy systems, waste treatment services, transport, and production systems of chemicals and materials. Life cycle modeling and other methods needed in system transition are the main methods used. The research in Sustainability Science also includes the business aspect which pursue added value for the business by promoting sustainability.

The dissertation topic in Sustainability Science is closely linked to the focal knowledge areas of the research groups as well as to the research projects and programmes underway at the time of the studies. Funding for research conducted by the research groups is applied for separately from domestic sources (Academy of Finland, Tekes, regional development funds, foundations); from international sources (the EU, Nordic countries funds, etc.); and from businesses operating in the same field. The dissertation may also be done in addition to one's regular employment. Even in that case an effort is made for the student to be as closely engaged as possible in the activities of the research groups.

Internationalization of doctoral students in the research field is supported. There are representatives of various nationalities working in the research groups, and the majority of doctoral students make a research visit abroad to cooperating universities for several months. Doctoral students have completed the international part of their studies at the University of California, Berkeley; the Technical University of Denmark; the University of Stuttgart; and Kaunas University of Technology, among other places. Moreover, doctoral students are able to take part in international seminars, conferences and study periods abroad.

Further information

Professor (tenured) Ville Uusitalo

In Collaboration

Research topics in the field of Mechanical Engineering are related to modern manufacturing methods, mechatronics, and computer-aided design and analysis.

In the area of modern manufacturing methods, particular emphasis is placed on automated manufacturing techniques, sheet metal fabrication, and welding.

For welding, important aspects include evaluating the resistance of welded joints to fatigue failure and their performance in an arctic environment.

In mechatronics, the focus is on intelligent control systems, human-machine interfaces, and innovative solutions in machine transmissions.

Multibody system dynamics, nonlinear finite element analysis methods, and rotor dynamics analysis are the primary topics in computer-aided design and analysis. They are applied to solve problems in biomechanics, multiphysics, and the strength of structures.

All doctoral graduates of Mechanical Engineering have successfully obtained prestigious positions in academia as well as in industry.

Further information

Professor Jussi Sopanen

The research themes of the doctoral education in Electrical Engineering covers different fields including electrotechnics, electric drives, control engineering, signal processing, applied electronics and communications engineering. Research questions in the field includes fundamental limits of technologies, optimization of operation and design of technical artifacts, and development of system-level solutions to support technological innovations.

The graduates of this program have been successfully employed in research institutes, universities and industry alike. Doctoral students are motivated to carry out their studies as part of international academic and/or industrial networks.

Ability in advanced mathematics, computational modelling, and optimisation algorithms, as well as experience in experimental testbeds, provide important basis to be further developed throughout the doctoral education in electrical engineering.

Further information

Professor (tenured) Pedro Juliano Nardelli

In Collaboration

The doctoral programme belongs to LUT School of Energy Systems, whose research covers the technologies and systems required for the production, transfer, distribution, markets and use of energy from manufacture and fuels all the way to energy consumption. The strengths of the unit include an in-depth understanding of energy systems, digital design and manufacture of machinery and equipment, as well as demanding welded metal structures.

A doctoral degree, Doctor of Science (Technology) / Doctor of Philosophy, includes doctoral studies (30 ECTS credits) and research typically leading to writing publications and a dissertation that has to be defended publicly. During doctoral education, the student acquires in-depth knowledge of the research field in question in order to be able to apply scientific research methods and generate new scientific knowledge independently.

Doctoral education provides students with the skills and abilities necessary to pursue careers in industry and commerce, as independent entrepreneurs or as professional researchers in the academic sector.

The Doctoral Programme in Energy Systems is a key actor in a national doctoral training network with most important higher education and research institutions in the field. See additional information on the network DTNEEE.