Water Power
Certificate Course - Energy Engineering - EE_MSc.1.2.I26
| Date | Nov 23-24, 2026 |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Location | on campus, Karlsruhe |
| Language | English |
| ECTS | upon request |
| Costs | 1,550€ |
Course Prerequisites - Basics from the bachelor education and practical experience gained during their professional career is desirable, but not obligatory required. Basic knowledge of fluid mechanics and mechanics would be convenient.
Fundamentals
The lecture is intended to give a broad perspective about the role of hydropower in the world, its contribution to electrical energy production and the future trends.
Technology
The main types of hydropower units are described in order to gain a basic knowledge in their functionality and the possible modes of operation. Furthermore, the goals for the students are to understand the basics of the conversion of hydraulic energy into mechanical energy and to provide a physical understanding of the various physical phenomena that can occur during the operation of these machines (i.e. cavitation).
Applications
The lecture also gives a global perspective about ocean energy and main types of machines which are used in this area. A final objective is to gain an insight into some monitoring and maintenance practices of hydropower machines.
What you´ll explore
- Introduction to waterpower: Energy generation and demand; Conventional hydropower and ocean energy; historical review and perspectives.
- Basics of energy transfer: Head; discharge, power; efficiency; characteristic hill charts; similarity laws; velocity triangles.
- Conventional Hydro: Operation of hydropower plants; description of Francis Kaplan and Pelton turbines; selection and regulation; transients; design, manufacturing and erection aspects.
- Pumped Storage Plants: Objective, design and operation of pump turbine units.
- Physical phenomena in hydropower machines such as cavitation, pressure fluctuations, instabilities, erosion: impact, consequences, prediction, identification, mitigation.
- Marine Energy: tidal, ocean current and wave energy devices.
- Operation of hydropower plants: monitoring and maintenance aspects.
Your key takeaways
- Gain a historic overview of the development of the usage of wind and water power
- Gain knowledge of global and local wind systems (measurement and energy content), aerodynamic and electric systems, components of wind power plants and their characteristics, electric systems of wind power plants and current developments of modern wind power plants
- Gain knowledge of the role of water power for the global electrical energy supply (electrical energy generation and demand) and for the electrical grid (control, stabilization and ancillary services provided by hydropower), energy storage with pumped storage technology, marine energy (ocean current, wave, tidal): solutions, role, competitiveness, market
- Learn about current and future challenges of hydropower development (plants, units, components, control and operational strategies), different types of hydropower plants, types of the most commonly used hydropower machines and other major equipment like hydro generators, the basic physics describing the energy conversion in hydropower machinery
- Gain knowledge of the characteristics of the operation of hydro machinery under various load conditions and the impact on the hydraulic and mechanical design of the components, equipment monitoring and maintenance strategies
- Understand current economic, ecological and legal circumstances.
Taught by recognized experts in Water Power
Benefit from the knowledge of leading specialists with extensive experience in research and industry. Their deep expertise guarantees a course of outstanding academic and practical quality.
Dr. Alexander Jung
Dr. Alexander Jung is an industry expert and lecturer at HECTOR School. He is affiliated with Voith Hydro Holding GmbH & Co. KG and combines practical engineering leadership with executive education. His teaching focuses on connecting advanced engineering practice, innovation, energy systems, and applied management to real industrial challenges.
Who should attend
This course is particularly beneficial for professionals in the following fields
- Engineers and technical professionals in the energy sector
Electrical engineers, energy engineers, physicists, materials scientists, and professionals in semiconductor or solar technologies who develop, design, size, or optimize photovoltaic systems. - Planners and project managers for energy systems
Energy consultants, building services engineers (MEP planners), architects (with a focus on building integration), PV project managers, as well as professionals in energy supply companies and grid operator organizations. - Professionals in energy policy, sustainability, and business
Staff working in ministries, public authorities, international organizations, NGOs, corporate strategy, or investment departments who assess energy scenarios, decarbonization pathways, market mechanisms, and cost developments. - Researchers and early-career academics
PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and academic staff in the fields of renewable energy, semiconductor physics, materials science, or energy system modeling.
Advance your career with KIT-level expertise
Benefit from the reputation of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) while gaining practical skills, flexible learning opportunities, and a recognized certificate to support your long-term professional growth.
Flexibility
Gain focused expertise in a specific field without committing to a full degree program, allowing you to build relevant knowledge efficiently and integrate learning seamlessly into your professional routine.
Relevance
Benefit from high-quality academic content combined with practical insights, delivered by experienced experts, supporting continuous, lifelong learning while ensuring direct applicability in real-world scenarios.
Relevance
Benefit from high-quality academic content combined with practical insights, delivered by experienced experts, supporting continuous, lifelong learning while ensuring direct applicability in real-world scenarios.
About HECTOR School
HECTOR School, the Technology Business School of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), is a leading provider of executive education in technology-driven fields.
For this course, participants who successfully complete the examination can earn a KIT certificate with ECTS credits, which may be credited toward our Executive Master of Science or Advanced Studies Programs, subject to content alignment.