Energy Engineering is a degree in an emergent field of Energy in Transition, dealing with energy efficiency, reduction of fossil fuel use for energy generation. This major will open new geo-energy opportunities, such as geothermal, hydrogen systems, systems engineering, environmental compliance, sustainable energy, and conventional and emerging renewable energy technologies, 
such as our new unit on hydrogen production. 

The major is designed to establish Curtin as a recognised global leader in research, education and engagement for Energy and Resource Transition, with special emphasis on stewardship of air, water and land. This aptly fits within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the 2050 Australia for Net-Zero Carbon Emission, Malaysia’s NDC in UNDP Climate Promise and the Sarawak Post-Covid 19 Development Strategy 2030. Upon completing the course, you will be ready to assist in driving forward Energy in Transition technologies globally. 

Following your Engineering Foundation Year (EFY), you’ll embark on a comprehensive journey involving diverse aspects of energy engineering throughout the curriculum. As you progress, you’ll have options to choose various specialisations, including Energy Conversion Technologies, Low Carbon Transition, Subsurface Energy Engineering and Power Systems Engineering. 

In your final year, you will undertake a major research project and a team design project. 

Why Energy Engineering? 

• Sarawak is a rising tiger in the renewable energy arena and is opening its frontiers to help traditional industries become more sustainable. 
• This aligns with the global effort to mitigate climate change by utilising renewable clean energy sources in the state such as hydro power, solar energy, and wind. 
• Our Energy Engineering program is a groundbreaking degree that will train the next generation of energy engineers to provide solution to the climate crisis. 
• The program is the first of its kind to offer the full breadth and depth of knowledge needed to conceive, design, build and operate a clean energy future. 
• The course has extensive support and collaboration from industry players. 

Entry requirements

Minimum English language entry requirements

Cut-off scores

Cut-off scores key:

GCE : General Certificate of Education
STPM : Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia
IB : International Baccalaureate
ATAR : Australian Tertiary Admission Rank – applicable to all Australian matriculation
HKDSE : Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
India : Includes All India Senior School Certificate awarded by The Central Board of Secondary School Education (CBSE), Indian School Certificate (ISC) awarded by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), Higher School Certificate (HSC) awarded by one of the State Secondary School Boards. Certificates awarded by the CBSE and the CISCE are generally considered to represent a higher level of achievement than state certificates.
Sri Lanka : GCE ‘A’ level issued by the Department of Examinations

Score Conversion for Advanced level/GCE/GCSE:
Grades awarded from 2010 onwards: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1
Grades awarded up to 2009: A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1
AS Levels equal half of that of an Advanced Level, e.g. 3 points for an A*, 2.5 points for an A (prior to 2010)

Subject Grades Conversion for STPM : A=5, A- =4, B+ =4, B=3, B- =2, C+ = 2, C=1

Note: scores for individual prerequisites may be taken into consideration for assessment purposes.

Course Prerequisites

Mathematics (including calculus) and physics or chemistry

Professional recognition

 Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA)
• Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
• Engineers Australia (EA)

Credit for previous study

Diploma applications will be treated on case to case basis.

Career opportunities

As an energy engineer, you can expect a range of exciting career opportunities in the growing field of sustainable energy. Energy engineers are recruited from many disciplines with a much faster than average growth for all occupations.

Some of the career paths that energy engineers can explore include:

• Renewable energy project development
• Energy management and efficiency
• Grid  integration and smart grids
• Energy policy and regulation
• Energy consulting
• Research and academia

These career opportunities may vary depending on the chosen specialisation.

Course structure

Specialisations

Energy conversion technologies

Students will gain insights into the field of energy conversion according to the natural laws that govern energy accounting and efficiency. It will cover the fundamentals and applications of natural gas processing, heat and electrochemical energy storage and conversion. A systems engineering approach is required to drive a hierarchy of processes by which energy is transferred from one form to another, with increasing levels of complexity and reducing the efficiency of raw energy use. A systems engineering approach is required to drive a hierarchy of processes.

Low-carbon transition

The Low-Carbon Transition specialisation is designed for energy engineers who want to support the transition from natural gas to green hydrogen as a primary energy carrier. Natural gas is a transitional fuel that bridges the gaps between high-carbon fossil fuels and low-carbon alternatives such as renewable energy sources. This specialisation
is aimed at increasing energy efficiency, adopting novel technologies, and reducing carbon emissions to develop a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

Subsurface energy engineering

Subsurface Energy Engineering is the application of engineering principles to the extraction and production of energy from the subsurface. It is a rapidly growing field
with a wide range of opportunities, and it is essential to the development of a clean and sustainable energy future. Examples include geothermal energy extraction or heat
storage (geothermal batteries), natural hydrogen extraction or hydrogen storage, natural gas extraction and storage, as well as the important aspect of clean water supply and wastewater management.

Power systems engineering

The Power Systems Engineering specialisation prepares students to develop broader knowledge about generation, storage and control of renewable energy in electrical power systems such as microgrids, virtual power plants and smart grids. The specialisation also tackle emerging challenges due to increased renewable energy in power systems.

Extension specialisation