Continuing Education
CAS 3A Applied Technology in Energy (CAS ATE)
ETH Zurich’s CAS programme Applied Technology in Energy (CAS ATE) is designed to provide managers with a deeper education in the rapidly evolving world of energy and electrification. It will help participants to better understand the ongoing “Energy Revolution” and enable them to shape the energy future of their company and industry.
![Enlarged view: A Raman laser spectroscopy to find new mixtures of working fluids. [Image Credit: Gianfranco Guidati]](/education/continuing-education/_jcr_content/par/greybox/par/textimage_1393131407/image.imageformat.lightbox.391244427.jpg)
Participants will learn how energy generation, storage, distribution and consumption is organized today and is currently changing from a science and applied technology perspective. A strong emphasis is given to technology applications that impact multiple industries beyond the energy industries, including manufacturing, electronics, automotive/transport and building construction and management. In all of these industries, the “Energy Revolution” will continue to have significant impacts on product design and core operations for many years. The CAS will explore the practical business impacts of these energy technologies using case studies and examples from industry. Reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 will require a radical shift towards renewable energies – a transition that will bring new challenges such as volatility in power generation.
“Industry needs to make decisions on investments that have important implications for the future,” says Christian Schaffner, Executive Director of the ETH Energy Science Center and Programme Director of the CAS ATE.
CAS ATE – Practical Information
The CAS ATE is designed specifically for professionals with limited or single science backgrounds (including degrees in Economics, Business, Law, etc.) who need a better understanding of the science and technology impacting the future of the energy industry in order to advance their careers.
Participants complete 4 modules over 14 weeks from April to July. Classes are generally conducted in either a block format or blended learning format to minimize time away from work. Classes are held at ETH Zentrum campus every other week for one full day and one half day (typically Friday all day and Saturday morning), and the programme is thus well suited as a part-time study programme.
Total workload is approximately 300 hours (~21 hours/week) and successful graduates earn a total of 12 ECTS credits.
Study language is 100% English.
Start: Spring Semester
Location: ETH Zurich, Main Campus
Application period: 30.11.2023–15.03.2024
Programme fee: CHF 8,500
Programme structure: 4 modules over 14 weeks
Class period: April to July
Class times: typically Friday all day and Saturday morning
Total workload: ~300 hours (~21 hours/week)
CAS ATE Programme Schedule FS 2024Download (PDF, 45 KB)
Programme Director: Dr Christian Schaffner, Energy Science Center (ESC)
Programme Coordinator: Dr. Krishna Bharathi (D-ITET)
Programme Administration: Karin Sonderegger Zaky (D-ITET)
CAS ATE – Insights
CAS ATE – Courses
Dr. Christian Schaffner
The module "Energy Fundamentals" provides an introduction to the fundamental science and the underlying technology used throughout the rest of the CAS.
Participants will learn how today’s energy system (including energy generation, distribution and consumption) functions and will understand the underlying scientific principles, technologies as well as the regulatory framework. Special attention will be paid to understanding renewable (solar & wind) electricity generation and why this rapidly evolving technology is driving change in multiple industries. If time permits, the basics of climate change science and its relationship to energy related business decisions will be discussed as well.
To start, there is an online review module which acts as a pre-requisite for the entire CAS ATE. It introduces the basics in mathematics, electric elements and electric DC and AC networks. With an "Assessment Quiz" students can identify their knowledge gaps and close these, if needed. The rest of the Energy Fundamentals module is also organised in a self-learning online module, with weekly contact hours to discuss questions with teaching assistants.
Dr. Christian Prehal & Prof. Dr. Vanessa Wood
This module "Energy Storage" will take a deeper look at the most important technologies for electrical energy storage in industry, with an emphasis on batteries. Participants will be introduced to the energy storage technologies in use in industry as well as technology– and market–driven opportunities for change and new applications. The design, manufacture, operation, and usage scenarios of lithium ion batteries will be explained in detail. Future improvements in battery energy storage will be explored in terms of both likely progress and critical barriers.
Prof. Dr. Christian Franck & Prof. Dr. Gabriela Hug
For decades, electric power grid systems remained essentially unchanged. Now, they are undergoing significant changes driven by technology. Despite or maybe even because of these changes it is important to understand the fundamental setup and workings of the electric power grid.
Participants will learn in the module "Electric Power Grid Systems" about the technical operation and management of traditional power grid systems. The fundamental equipment and mechanisms responsible for transforming and transporting electricity to end users and the concept of AC power will be explained. Typical grid connections and management and the underlying physical principles will be discussed. The opportunities for and barriers to future grid technology and systems from both an operator’s and end user’s perspective will be explored, potentially including distributed generation, microgrids/islanding, demand response, virtual power plants, etc.
Dr. Christian Schaffner
The focus of this module "Electrification and Practical Applications" is on understanding the practical implications of the energy transistion taking place in industry, including electrification technology and their practical application in multiple industries.
This course takes a case study approach to look at how electrification is currently impacting products and technology use in manufacturing, electronics, automotive/ transport, building construction and facilities management. Some policy and regulatory elements may be discussed to provide context, but the focus is on understanding the technical and practical aspects of implementation.
The students will be working on actual cases provided by industry partners. They will also interact with Master students from ETH Zurich working in the domain, and finally challenge their findings and results with industry experts.
Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Applied Technology
The Certificate in Advanced Studies (CAS) in Applied Technology in Energy (CAS ATE) is part of the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Applied Technology. This MAS covers the most important areas for engineering and technology-based industries, including information technology, manufacturing and corporate innovation. Participants can choose one technology Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) as an elective, including the CAS Applied Technology in Energy.
An outline of the MAS in Applied Technology programme can be found in the Downloadbrochure (PDF, 88 KB).
Further information is available on the MAS in Applied Technology website or more specifically on the CAS Applied Technology in Energy.