RTU VASSI offers individually developed lifelong learning programs that are created specifically for the needs of the customer – from problem analysis to practically applicable curriculum. The programs are developed and implemented by experienced faculty and industry experts, ensuring high quality and transfer of the latest knowledge.

Benefits

• A program that exactly matches your challenges and goals
• Strengthening competencies in environmental engineering and sustainability
• Practical solutions for everyday work
• Increased competitiveness and compliance with current environmental requirements

Who is it suitable for?

• For companies
• State administrations
• Municipalities
• Non-governmental organizations
• Professional associations

If you are not sure whether your training needs meet the areas of competence of RTU VASSI, contact us – we will help you evaluate the idea and offer the most suitable solution.

Contact email: [email protected]

Our services are available HERE.

Wind energy is becoming an increasingly popular resource in Latvia, and questions often arise: How many wind power plants do we actually need? What capacities and sizes should be built? Where will we store surplus renewable electricity? And why should we consider hydrogen production? It’s time to clarify these uncertainties.

The Institute of Energy Systems and Environment at Riga Technical University (RTU VASSI) has developed a lifelong learning study module titled “Integrated Wind Energy Systems and Hydrogen.”
In this course, we will jointly analyse, discuss, and reflect on wind power plants and hydrogen production—exploring technological solutions and their integration into existing energy systems, based on economic, social, regulatory, environmental, and climate-related aspects.

The study module consists of three courses, each worth 5 ECTS credits. The full 15 ECTS module is designed so that each course builds upon the previous one. Participants may choose to complete the entire module or enrol in individual courses. The credits earned can also be recognised in bachelor’s and master’s programs within relevant specialisations.

Target audience: Municipal employees, entrepreneurs, energy planners, investors, sustainability specialists

Language of instruction: Latvian

Schedule: Fridays from 10:00 to 16:00, starting on September 5, 2025, until December 12, 2025 (The implementation schedule for each study course is provided below.)

Format and location: In-person at Āzenes Street 12/1, Riga

Prices

Register here:

STUDY MODULE PROGRAM:

Study course “Integrated Wind Energy Systems and Hydrogen. System Integration” (5 ECTS) program

Study course “Integrated wind energy systems and hydrogen. Technological solutions” (5 ECTS) program

Study course “Integrated wind energy systems and hydrogen. Sustainability rationale” (5 ECTS) program

The RTU Institute of Energy Systems and Environment (IESE) is a leading research institute specializing in innovative solutions for energy systems, environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation. With a strong track record of impactful research projects, international collaborations, and cutting-edge technological developments, IESE offers PhD candidates a stimulating academic environment equipped with advanced laboratories and expert supervision. Choosing IESE means joining a vibrant community dedicated to addressing some of the most pressing global challenges through interdisciplinary research and practical applications.

We are pleased to announce 11 fully funded* PhD positions in the following research areas, each offered as part of a 4 year full-time Doctoral Studies program with a start between 1 October 2025-1 January 2026:

1. “Municipal-Scale Equilibrium between Carbon Drivers and Energy Use” (continuation of the successful project “Energy Equilibrium”)
2. “Valorization and sustainability assessment of industrial conifer bark” (within “SuperBark” project)
3. “Carbon farming certification system” (within “CarbFarmS” project)
4. “Systems Dynamics modelling for climate neutrality” (read more about the project)
5. “Behavioral interventions for transition to circular economy” (within “CIRCLEUP” project)
6. “Resilience assessment in district heating systems” (within “DH INERTIA” project)
7. “Textile fiber recycling from mixed streams” (within “PESCO-UP” project)
8. “Multi-Energy Carrier Integration and Energy Hub concept” (within “OptiEnergyHub” project)
9. “Resource efficiency strategies for circular bioeconomy” (read more about the project)
10. “Policy planning for carbon sequestration in agroforestry” (within “CarbPol” project)
11. “Hydrogen carriers for regional resilience of energy sector” (within “HI2 Valley” project)

*Study funding is available for the EU residents. Tuition fees apply for non-EU candidates.

Requirements:

We are seeking motivated, research-driven candidates with a Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field (for the positions No.3 and No.10 – students with a Master’s degree in Policy and No. 5 – in Social or Behavioral Sciences are particularly welcome)

Strong/clear research interest relevant to the scope of the project/aligned with one or more of the listed projects

Full English proficiency

Experience/Hands-on experience relevant to the above-mentioned research areas/projects will be considered an advantage

Skills in experimental design, data analysis and scientific writing

Able to work independently under supervision

Deadline for application: 11 August 2025.

Interested applicants are invited prior to send their CV and 1 page motivation letter via email to [email protected] with the subject reference: “PhD Position (please state the PhD title here)”.

Responsibilities and (foreseen) tasks

• Identification of waste heat flows in Latvia through literature and data analyses;
• developing the modelling tool for waste heat integration into district heating systems;
• Conducting the simulations for waste heat integration under various heating and cooling conditions;
• Preparing scientific publications and participating in international scientific conferences to present the obtained research results;

Applicants should fulfil the following requirements:

• a master’s degree in engineering (preferably in thermal engineering, power engineering or environmental engineering)
• a clear interest in the topic of the position
• excellent command of English
• strong and demonstrable writing and analytical skills
• capacity to work both as an independent researcher and as part of a team

We offer:

• 4-year PhD position in the highly motivated and active research team of RTU IESE, participating in international and national research projects on district heating, waste heat and energy efficiency.
• Opportunities for conference visits, research stays and networking with globally leading universities and research centres in the fields of energy and thermal engineering;
• Opportunity to apply for research grants and prepare scientific project proposals with a potential position as a researcher in our institute

Terms for application:

To apply for the doctoral study topic offer, send your CV and preliminary research plan to e-mail: [email protected]  by August 20.

All requirements for doctoral studies at Riga Technical University are summarized here: https://www.rtu.lv/lv/studijas/doktora-limena-studijas/uznemsana-doktora

Additional information

For further information, please get in touch with asoc. Prof. Ieva Pakere [email protected] and see the institute webpage: www.videszinatne.rtu.lv

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

We also offer applications for other topics related to energy efficiency, production and use of renewable energy resources, fuel combustion technologies, climate technology solutions, eco-design and life cycle analysis, energy planning, bioeconomy and many other topics. We invite you to contact us by writing to the e-mail [email protected] and/or calling the phone no. +371 67 089 923.

The study programmes «Environmental Engineering» of all three levels have been developed, licenced and tested by the FEEE Institute of Environment and Energy Systems within the framework of the European Social Fund project «Reducing Fragmentation of Study Programs at Riga Technical University and Strengthening Resource Sharing».

These programs have been developed by adapting to the modern reality. Prior to this, programs in environmental sciences focused on power engineering. However, with the development of understanding about nature, it has become clear that the concept of environmental engineering is wider – it is a science regarding the use of natural resources in production of energy, reasons for contamination of natural resources, usage of land resources.

Students of the program obtain the science-focused education. During the study process, different skills are developed, for example, collaboration of students and teamwork, creativity, ability to solve different issues related to environment and power engineering, as well as individuality of students and, already starting from the beginning of studies, integration of knowledge in the solution of industry problems. Still, the most important is that academic staff try to teach students how to create innovations.

No matter what levels of the study programs «Environmental Engineering» are completed by students, they will obtain the very much required knowledge on how to save nature and use its resources carefully by using technological solutions offered by engineering sciences.

The study programmes «Environmental Engineering» have been developed, licenced, tested and assessed within the framework of the European Social Fund project No. 8.2.1.0/18/A/013 «Reducing Fragmentation of Study Programs at Riga Technical University and Strengthening Resource Sharing».

Read more about the study program https://international.rtu.lv/riga-technical-university-rtu/bachelors-studies/environmental-science-bachelors/

David Wheat received his master’s degree at Harvard University and his PhD in System Dynamics at the University of Bergen in 2007. David Wheat is past-president of the economics chapter of the International System Dynamics Society, is a member of the Scientific Committees of the international journals (“System Dynamics Review”, “International Journal of Pluralism and Economics Education”), and is a co-author of several scientific publications and books, the latest of them – “Feedback Dynamics” – will be released at Springer Publishing in 2020. He works as an expert on macroeconomic models in banking organizations and was employed by the White House. Currently David Wheat works as a professor at four universities in US, Norway, Lithuania and Ukraine and from August 2019 also as a guest professor in Riga Technical University.

Professor will lead a study course on system dynamics modelling tools at Riga Technical University, including also practical training.

The course is being organised within the project No. 8.2.2.0/18/A/017 „Development of the academic personnel of Riga Technical University”.

10 video lectures will be available online from April 11 until April 22, 2016.

A seminar-discussion will be held after the completion of the course on April 27 to discuss issues that have arisen or to share opinions about the course.

Topics of video lectures:

1. Introduction to the study course. Biotechonomy definitions and basic concepts
2. Bioresources and their production technologies
3. Technological aspects of bioresource use
4. Environmental aspects of bioresource use
5. Climate change
6. Climate adaption
7. Climate technologies
8. Economic aspects of bioresource use
9. Socioeconomic aspects of bioresource use
10. System dynamic model for biotechonomy development in Latvia.