My name is Xiao-Ping Zhang. I'm currently Professor of Electrical Power Systems at the University
of Birmingham. I'm also leading two MSc programmes. One is one-year MSc programme in Electrical Power Systems.
The second one is MSc in Electrical Power Systems with Advanced Research.
Both programmes are available for parttime study. Our programme is very special and very unique in the UK
as well as in the world. There are a few features; for instance we created such two MSc programmes
in parallel. The idea is that, particularly for the two year programme, we can fill in
the gap between traditional one year MSc course and the PhD programmes. In such a way actually
students have the opportunities to switching between these three different programmes.
The programme aim to equip students the advanced skills to solve sustainable energy system
and renewable control challenges facing the power industry. Our programmes suppose
students would be able to find a job with any industry or research organisations or
universities as well as government agencies. The basic requirements for these programme
admissions is that students assume, should have got at least a lower second degree from
recognised University in the world. The programme actually consists of some major components,
for instance, HVDC and FACTS devices, power system economics, power system operation and
control, and renewable generation integrations. We deliver the course in term of lectures,
tutorial sessions, lab sessions, as well as industry visits. For the programme we also
get industry lecturers to come over to teach a programme. These actually make our programme
very relevant to the industry development. Actually we have a two MSc programmes. The
first one is one year MSc in Electrical Power Systems. The second one is MSc in Electrical
Power Systems with Advanced Research. The two year programme is actually very unique;
also bring flexibility for student to choose between one year course, a two year course,
and a PhD course. The second and very important feature is that the programme involves senior
industry experts to teach a programme. This actually gives students exciting opportunity
to understand what are the real challenges and what are the known solutions in industrial
economy. We have a few things actually. Birmingham is number one in the world. First actually
the idea of a global power and energy internet, that was proposed by Birmingham, right now
actually accepted worldwide. That is something up to the smart grid technology going to happen
worldwide. Number two actually; back to a few years ago we put forward the idea of energy
union. That actually help global governments to deal with sustainable energy supply development.
The first such energy union actually based on Birmingham's idea has been setup by European
Commission very recently. We are very proud of such a development. The third big idea
is that during the past few years we're promoting the idea of - Birmingham actually is the UK's
energy valley. With the recent announcement by UK government about two initiatives - one
is Energy Research Accelerator led by University of Birmingham, and another initiative is Energy
Systems Catapult. Both initiatives actually going to be located in Birmingham, so therefore
we are truly the UK's energy valley as well as the world's energy valley. So therefore we have
an exciting opportunity to develop such a course to help solve the sustainable energy
supply challenges. Certainly teaching is very important as it's my - well my favourite because
it can bring innovations through the interaction with young researchers in the programme. Students
should choose the course because of the following significant developments. Number one, we pioneer
the idea of global power and energy internet, also the idea of energy union. Number two
actually they - all energy related companies in the UK, located in this region, we have
a very close collaboration with them, so this makes the course very unique and very valuable.