Irfan
I am Irfan from Indonesia. Currently, I am pursuing my master's degree in Sustainable Energy Engineering at KTH, a programme that combines my interests in energy and sustainable development. I earned my bachelor's degree from Institut Teknologi Bandung, where I studied mechanical engineering and completed a final thesis on a feasibility study of converting an oilfield into a geothermal source. I am really into sports, especially basketball, or hiking to the nature reserves, particularly Tyresta.
Why did you choose this master’s programme at KTH?
One of the things I really appreciate about the programme is how broad and flexible the curriculum is. It covers a wide range of topics, but at the same time, it gives us the freedom to dive deeper into areas we're most passionate about. There are three main tracks to choose from—clean conversion technologies, energy in buildings, and energy system analysis. Alongside the core courses, we also get to pick from a variety of electives, both within and outside the programme, which really lets us tailor our studies to our own interests.
What makes the learning experience even more engaging is how connected it is to the real world. Many of our courses include study visits to actual energy projects or facilities, and we often work on real-life case studies. It’s a great way to understand how the energy sector operates and to tackle real challenges with sustainability and engineering in mind.
Another aspect I’ve found incredibly valuable is the international environment. Studying alongside people from all over the world has opened my eyes to different perspectives and ways of thinking. It’s made discussions richer and the whole experience at KTH even more rewarding.
Have you chosen a specialisation track within the programme? Which track and why?
Considering my needs and interests, I chose the Energy Supply through Clean Conversion Technologies track, which explores sustainable energy conversion, energy distribution, and transportation. The track covers conventional energy systems and their transition to incorporate renewable energy technology, discussing how renewable energy can be applied to benefit these systems. I can also take some of the courses from different tracks or even programmes, tailored to fit my interests and my goals.
What are some of your favourite courses so far?
All the courses are insightful and rich in experience. My favorites are Energy Management and Modeling of Energy Systems – Heat and Power Generation. In the Energy Management course, I worked in a group to develop a nearly net-zero energy system based on a real-life case and present the innovative proposed approach to the system owner. The modelling course concludes with a project that integrates the latest renewable technology with the existing power generation plant, evaluating the techno-economic analysis of the system.
How would you describe your time at KTH so far?
My first year at KTH has been simply amazing. I can feel that the city is vibrant, the people I've met are welcoming, and the programme is comprehensive as I expected. The professors are open to discussing our concerns about the class or even having a general discussion. The student body has a balanced mix of international and local students, fostering diverse perspectives from people with different backgrounds, which enriches student life both inside and outside of class, especially during fika time. Moreover, there are many student organisations and activities.