Use of advanced analytical tools like MATLAB/SIMULINK, SCILAB/XCOS, etc. for solution of engineering problems and their applications (Application of these softwares depends on the various problems formulated in different departments). Information literacy, information sources (media, publishers, aggregators); validity of information, plagiarism and legal aspects. Information search – search engines, journal repositories, academic (social) networks, search strategies, personal contacts, tools for managing references. Integrating information literacy in research, cloud computing, audiovisual tools, e.g. PowerPoint presentations. Literature review: Reading and summarizing relevant articles, critical analysis and evaluation of research, identification of themes and comparators, writing review documents and identification of research (or knowledge) gaps. Scientific method and nature of evidence: Experimental methods
and design methods (as may be applicable to individual departments and research areas), data collection and management of quantitative data. Human participants – expert reviews, focus groups, questionnaires and interviews. Project management and report writing: project planning, report structure and style, general report writing techniques.

Philosophy of Engineering Design: techniques and analysis, synthesis and evaluation; The creative process: Design in the Corporate Environment: engineering research, marketing, finance and other corporate functions – and comprehensive design. Development Engineering; post-initial design development of new products, value engineering; development testing vs experimental research; case studies. Integrated treatment of mathematical modeling and analysis of systems. Modeling linear and nonlinear systems and their performance under transient, periodic and random loads, time domain and transfer techniques for linear continuous and discrete time systems. Transfer function, integral equation representation, and state model for selected control systems. State variable methods. State transition matrix for time- invariant and time varying continuous and discrete systems. Solving practical Engineering problems using
MATLAB/SIMULINK, MAPLE, MATHEMATICA, etc). Adjoint Systems. Singularity functions and superposition integrals for linear systems. Distributed parameter system analysis. Selected numerical analysis methods and applications. Theory of design, material consideration, optimization techniques, similitude, stability, design of experiments and evaluation of results.

A proposal report to be written and presented by the Masters degree student as a seminar to staff and students of ACE-SPED and other interested stake-holders.

Overview of renewable energy technologies with focus on Solar, Wind, Bioenergy, hydropower (Pico, Micro, small scale & large scale), geothermal, tidal, wave, hydrogen and fuel cells etc. Brief review of conventional and emerging energy systems (technical, economic and environmental relevance and impact). Identification of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Renewable energy resources assessment techniques and exploitation technologies. Solar resource evaluation techniques, physical basis of solar radiation, photoelectric effect, definitions and explanations of key terms in photovoltaic (PV) technology-direct/diffuse/ global radiation/
Albedo/Air mass, solar cells, module make-up, mono and polycrystalline and amorphous modules, thin-film, dye sensitized and organic cells. Solar thermal technology, geothermal tidal, and wave technologies. Advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy technologies. New energy technologies: Hydrogen, fuel cells, free energy (fly wheel etc). Nexus between renewable energy and Africa’s development. Types of biomass and their basic properties. Overview of biomass processing technologies. Applications of biomass. Economics of biomass. Trends in biomass energy utilization in Sub-Saharan Africa. Introduction to RE softwares such as RETScreen, HOMER, etc). Application of Power Electronics in Renewable Energy

Solar thermal engineering technologies and their potential for supplying future energy needs. Basic components and operations of a solar thermal system- absorbers, collectors, thermal stores, pump, and expansion vessels. Various system configurations and applications in given situations. Solar thermal applications in agriculture in the areas of chicken brooding and drying, etc. Solar thermal absorbers for heating processes and refrigeration. Hybrid Solar PV/thermal systems. Critical factors in solar thermal systems’ design-solar yield, system efficiency or utilization factor, solar fraction, coefficient of performance (COP) and specific load and planning processes including requirements for efficient and problem-free operation as well as possible weak spots are taught. Solar thermal cooling and concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies-parabolic trough and dish, solar tower, Linear Fresnel reflector. Geographical, political and economic factors in CSP site selection.

Conventional energy sources (Coal, Oil, Gas, etc) and climate implications. Detailed analysis of heat and mass transfer mechanisms. Review of basic concepts of engineering thermodynamics; the first and second laws of thermodynamics and the notion of irreversibility. Fundamentals of chemical reactions and combustion processes. Ideal and real gases, steam production and thermodynamic properties of steam. Thermodynamic cycles; Carnot cycle, Otto cycle, Diesel cycle, Atkinson cycle, Ericson cycle, Brayton cycle and Rankine cycle. Regenerative cycle, reheat and binary cycles. Some practical applications of gas power cycles and steam power cycle in power production. Energy storage techniques-thermal, mechanical, electrical, chemical, electromechanical and hydrogen energy. Hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells and their applications. Batteries; advances in high-power density batteries, Lithium iron and Liquid-metal batteries.

Basic objectives of financial management and characteristics of project finance. Differences between project finance and corporate finance. Project finance in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The nature of risk and typical risks in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects-market risk, construction risk, performance risk, resource risk and technological risks. Risk management strategies. Cash flow nature through the project life-cycle. Financial modeling of project and cash flows, equity versus debt financing, bankability and financial ratios in project financing. Sources of project financing, Equity, Mezzanine and Debt financing. Project financing options peculiar to renewable energy and energy efficiency projects-Energy services companies (ESCOs), Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) mechanism. Renewable energy portfolio standards, Policy issues and examples from across the globe

Hazardous waste management. Fission and fusion processes. Nuclear power plant design; design of fission reactor, reactor control and safety systems design. Power transfer systems, containment vessels and structures design. Human and environmental factors, construction, and operational considerations of nuclear power plants.

Industrial Internship for a duration of one month is compulsory for all ACE-SPED students. The internship, which is expected to be undertaken in one of our Sectoral partners establishments/6 industries/firms could lead to a project research and will culminate in a seminar presentation at the end of the internship

ACE students are required to carry out a research-based project in any of the thematic areas of ACE-SPED under the guidance of an academic staff appointed by the Centre. This will be captured in a standard Project Report to be examined orally by a Board of Internal and External Examiners as laid down in the guidelines of the School of Postgraduate Studies of the University of Nigeria. The report shall not have been, in part of in full submitted for any other diploma or degree of this University or of another educational institution.

Electricity basics, Solar photovoltaic and wind energy system designs; PV system sizing, series and parallel connections, system configurations, stand-alone and grid-tied systems, standard test conditions (STC), calculations, estimation of energy requirements in Ah. PV array size using 7Watts (Wp) and Amps, accumulators, discharge levels, charge controllers, voltage drops and cable sizes. Solar modules, inverters, semi-conductors and doping, n-type and p-type junctions, I-V curves. Principles of Wind energy; Wind turbine generator types (in terms of structure, operation and nature of generated output electricity, harvested wind power, wind velocity, blade orientation and dimension etc. Design considerations for standalone and grid-tied wind generator farms. Mini-grid installation, choice of location for PV plant, site survey, soil analysis, climate conditions of the area-temperature, humidity, rainfall, sunshine hours, wind velocity; shadowing, feed-inmetering,O&M,instrumentation.InvertersandChargeControllers.Components fabrication and physics of solar PV cells/modules. Wind energy technologies, wind power potential across Africa and the world, technical potential, wind as kinetic energy, the Betz limit, turbulence, wind measurement; wind turbine elements, rotor blades, nacelle, yawing, wind turbine towers, tip speed ratio, power control and wind power curves. Types of generators and grid connections.

Principles and processing methods involved in bioenergy production. Characterization of the properties of biomass: proximate and ultimate analysis, calorific (heating) value, density, moisture content. Classification into Type 1: ligno-cellulosic, starchy, sugar, oilseeds; Type 2: municipal residual waste, organic waste, sewage sludge, manure; Type 3: biofuels from biomass conversion processes (solid: biochar; liquids: bioethanol and biodiesel; gaseous: biogas and syngas). Processes for biomass conversion. Introduction to thermochemical, biochemical, and mechanical processes. Types of reactors, chemical equilibrium and reaction kinetics. Thermochemical conversion (pyrolysis, gasification, reforming, combustion). Biochemical 8 conversion (anaerobic digestion, fermentation).Oil extraction and esterification.Pretreatmentof biomass (pelleting; chipping; torrefaction, bio-drying, etc.). Management of solids / liquids /gaseous biomass process waste. Heat and power generation from biomass boilers and stoves

Hydrenergy types (hydro-, tidal and thermal). Hydroturbine types (Francis, Kaplan, Pitch propeller, Turgo, Crossflow etc). Introduction to hydropower generation, merits and demerits of  hydropower, classification of hydropower generation plants, hydrology and site selection of  hydropower plants, elements of hydropower plants and auxilliaries, design of dams for hydropower generation, analysis of water turbines and hydroelectric generators, control of  hydropower plants, pumped storage power plants, environmental impact assessment of  hydropower plants, combined operation of hydropower plants with other types of power plants. Hydroelectricity generating plant design considerations (environmental, infrastructure, input/output power, etc).

Batteries; types (Aluminium-ion battery, Carbon Battery, Single Carbon Battery, Dual carbon battery, Flow battery, Vanadium redox battery, Lead–acid battery, Deep cycle battery, Glass battery, Lithium-ion battery. Lithium ion lithium cobalt oxide battery (ICR), Magnesium-ion battery, Metal–air electrochemical cells, Lithium air battery. Electrolyte membranes; Solid polymer electrolyte membranes, etc. Fuel cells.

Superconducting magnets, including thermodynamic and transport properties of aqueous and nonaqueous electrolytes, the electrode/electrolyte interface, and the kinetics of electrode processes. Electrochemical characterization with regards to d.c. techniques (controlled potential, controlled current) and a.c. techniques (voltametry and impedance spectroscopy). Applications: electrowinning, electrorefining, electroplating, and electrosynthesis, as well as electrochemical power sources (batteries and fuel cells).

Choice of broad research area with considerations of interdisciplinary topics, Identification of research/ knowledge gaps and research objectives. Role of technical reports in engineering projects. Fundamental principles of technical writing. Format of different types of reports, outlines, purpose and scope, technical discussion details, role of appendix, function of figures, equation editors, tables and illustration. Literature search, references (citing’s and listings). Nature of recommendations and conclusions. Guides for writing memoranda, business letters. Oral presentation of technical reports and thesis. Synopsis writing Developing long-term research plan, Identification of potential funding agencies and their requirements. Research objectives in relation to interests of the funding agencies. Estimating Page 13 of 14 research timelines, Budget preparation, manpower requirements and availability, research facilities, legal
issues, etc.

Advanced version of ACE 601

Advances in biomass processing technologies. Gasification technology and its applications. Wind energy systems and their application in mini-grids. Hybrid wind/solar PV systems. Hydrogen Fuel Cells; MCFC and other types. Inverters and charge controllers. Practical
installation of renewable energy systems (biogas plants, solar PV plants). Case studies

A proposal report to be written and presented by the PhD candidate as a seminar to staff and students of ACE-SPED and other interested stake-holders

Industrial Internship for a duration of one month is compulsory for all ACE-SPED students. The internship, which is expected to be undertaken in one of our Sectoral partners could lead to a project research and will culminate in a seminar presentation at the end.

A final progress report to be written and presented by the PhD candidate as a seminar to staff and students of ACE-SPED and other interested stake-holders. After successful revisions the PhD thesis shall be sent to a duly appointed External Examiner. Final examination of the thesis shall be by viva voce presentation

Solar photovoltaic and wind energy system designs; PV system sizing culminating in a mini-project on PV or Wind energy mini-grid design. Design considerations for stand alone and grid-tied wind generator farms. Mini-grid installation, choice of location for PV plant, site survey, soil analysis, climate conditions of the area-temperature, humidity, rainfall, sunshine hours, wind velocity; shadowing, feed-in metering, O&M, instrumentation.

Biofuels from biomass conversion processes (solid: biochar; liquids: bioethanol and biodiesel; gaseous: biogas and syngas). Types of reactors, chemical equilibrium and reaction kinetics. Thermochemical conversion (pyrolysis, gasification, reforming, combustion). Biochemical conversion (anaerobic digestion, fermentation). Oil extraction and esterification. Pretreatment of biomass (pelleting; chipping; torrefaction, bio-drying, etc.). Management of solids / liquids /gaseous biomass process waste. Heat and power generation from biomass boilers and stoves (operation, sizing criteria); costs. Power generation from biofuels: engines (ICE), turbines (steam
or gas) and fuel cells. Case studies: gasification plant + ICE. Process modeling and simulation with commercial softwares, such as ASPEN Plus or CHEMCAD etc. Methane combustion and methane steam reforming.

A thesis shall embody original scholarship and independent research which must make a distinct contribution to knowledge in an area of renewable and new energy systems. The thesis must be submitted in an approved format and defended in an oral examination.