Programme to equip workforce with the right skillset to join the energy transition

Top Paris engineering school École Polytechnique and KIC InnoEnergy, the innovation engine for Europe’s energy industry, are joining forces to deliver a new certificate programme in renewable energy entrepreneurship offered in conjunction with business school HEC Paris.

The programme will provide lifelong learners with the opportunity to sharpen their engineering and entrepreneurship skills. Participants will complete ten days of classroom instruction on the École Polytechnique campus, a five-week small private online course (SPOC), and an eight-week group project.

“According to a recent study by the European Commission, the lack of renewable energy know-how is a barrier to the energy transition. Education is one of our core missions at KIC InnoEnergy, and so we are thrilled to be partnering with top-tier schools to create programmes that are unique in Europe,” says Isabelle Schuster, France Education Director at KIC InnoEnergy.

Frank Pacard, VP Academic Affairs and Research at École Polytechnique, adds: “Making the energy transition happen is likely to be one of the biggest challenges that we will face as a society in the coming years. As a center for both education and research, École Polytechnique is fiercely committed to finding solutions for the energy transition, especially in the increased penetration and efficient management of renewable energy.”

The programme is aimed at research scientists with new-energy-related startup plans, engineering professionals seeking opportunities in renewables, and government employees assigned to renewable-energy projects. It will provide participants with a deep understanding of how renewables fit into energy markets and the broader energy economy, and give them the tools they need to innovate or start a business in this forward-looking industry.

“Renewable energy is a high-growth sector. The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that the current number of direct and indirect renewable energy jobs is 7.7 million worldwide. There is growing interest in our initial and continuing education programmes in this exciting field, not only from students, but also from businesses. And 80% of the applicants to our Master’s in Renewable Energy Science and Technology (REST) programme are from outside France. Today we are pleased to be working with two highly-respected partners, KIC InnoEnergy and HEC Paris, to meet increasing demand for programmes in this field,” says Bernard Drévillon, Professor of Physics at École Polytechnique.

“Of all resources, renewable energy will grow the fastest over the next decade. This is true for both OECD and non-OECD countries. And increasing the penetration of energy from renewable sources in our grids will present huge technological, economic, and financial challenges for our energy systems and markets. A certificate programme that addresses these specific issues meets the current and future needs of the decision makers that will shape our economy,” says Jean-Michel Gauthier, Chief Economist Officer for Energy & Resources at Deloitte, HEC Paris Affiliate Professor, and co-head of the programme.

Learn more at www.exed.polytechnique.edu

PRESS CONTACT

KIC InnoEnergy – Aspectus PR
Rosie Williams
+44 20 7092 8187

ABOUT ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE / www.polytechnique.edu

École Polytechnique is one of France’s premier institutes of higher learning, conducting top-level research, academics, and innovation at the cutting edge of science and technology. The school’s undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degree and executive education programs maintain a sharp focus on science and technology backed by a strong tradition of teaching in the humanities. Graduates are responsible, capable individuals prepared to take on complex issues and innovate to solve 21^st century problems. The student body is 30% international; the faculty is 23% international. École Polytechnique boasts 22 research labs, 21 of which are joint research labs of the CNRS (French National Center for Scientific Research). All are working to push back the frontiers of knowledge, freely crossing the traditional boundaries between science, technology, and society.