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Redesigning petroleum engineering for a sustainable future: integrating clean energy and biofuels into university curriculum
Javanbakht, Gina Allport, John M
Javanbakht, Gina
Allport, John M
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Date
2025
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Geographical Setting
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Abstract
The global shift towards sustainability necessitates a transformation in engineering education, particularly within petroleum engineering programs traditionally centred on fossil fuels. This paper proposes a roadmap for evolving the Oil and Gas Engineering program at the University of Huddersfield into a comprehensive, sustainability-focused course that prepares engineers to navigate the complex challenges of climate change, rising CO2 levels, and increasing waste. The integration of sustainability modules, including biofuels, petroleum contamination and remediation, biorefineries, and carbon capture, is suggested as a means to enhance, rather than replace, existing content. This approach aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to balance traditional energy demands with emerging green technologies. Central to this initiative is the university's Energy Integration Lab (EIL), which provides advanced facilities such as anaerobic digestion systems, pyrolysis units, and micro gas turbines. Through hands-on learning experiences in the EIL, students will gain insights into the environmental impacts, benefits, and challenges of transitioning from fossil fuels to sustainable bioenergy systems. The lab will serve as a critical hub for interdisciplinary research, fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and local communities to develop innovative solutions in clean energy and waste-to-energy technologies. By embedding sustainability principles into the petroleum engineering curriculum, this project aims to produce graduates who are not only technically proficient but also environmentally conscious and capable of driving the energy transition. Through case studies, real-world applications, and industry partnerships, students will develop the skills necessary to address pressing environmental challenges, contributing to the achievement of global sustainability goals. This paper highlights how evolving the curriculum to focus on sustainability ensures that future engineers are prepared to thrive in an energy landscape increasingly shaped by the need for cleaner, greener technologies.
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Keywords (free text)
petroleum engineering, case-based learning, industry collaboration, engineering education, engineering for sustainable development, education for sustainabilty, sustainability in engineering