Juilette is an ENSTA Bretagne graduate. She wanted to continue her studies with a Specialized Advanced Master in Marine Renewable Energies (MS EEMR) to work in this field later on.
What was your academic path at ENSTA Bretagne before you joined the MS EEMR?
I did general engineer training during which I specialized in Offshore and Naval Architecture. In the second year, I was lucky enough to be able to do a substitute semester at the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon. Straight afterwards, I did an internship in Cornwall, England at the University of Exeter. I worked on water flume data on perforated cylinders for a project linked to marine renewable energies (MRE). In the last year, for my final year project, I joined the Oceans of Energy Company in the Netherlands. I worked on experimental data to begin with, then on the pre-design of interconnectors for floating platforms of solar panels
What were the memorable moments of your engineer training?
From an academic point of view, I loved my Erasmus (European student mobility program) in the city of Lisbon. What I learned was really interesting and I met some great people. Thanks to this experience, I also improved my English tremendously.
As for student life, I will never forget the activities and evenings at the Foy’z on campus or in town with my friends. They were really memorable during those school years. Brest is not really like other cities, the inhabitants have a sincerity which is very touching, people are genuine. I would go back there with pleasure.
Why did you want to do a specialized advanced master?
In specializing in offshore and naval architecture, I preferred the platforms to the ships. I wanted to work in marine renewable energies. This expert in marine renewable energies specialized advance master just seemed like a natural progression. It is a sector in which there is still a lot to do and create. The interactions between the environment (sea, wind, land, organisms…) and the stakeholders are numerous. That is what makes this work interesting. This specialized advanced master has enabled me to deepen my knowledge in the sector, to recognize and understand all the stakeholders in a project and also develop my network.
What were the strengths of the training?
The trainers were professionals from the world of MREs, so the lessons were extremely high quality. For example, we carried out a very enriching field study in partnership with IFREMER (using the test tank) and visited companies.
The program is very complete as we study a vast range of subjects (systems, electrotechnics, sediments, legal aspects, modeling, ecological impacts, and many more).
How are your studies going during the confinement?
During the month of March, I worked on a project given to me by the school. Due to the confinement, there were no more viva voces , so only the report will be graded. I have kept to my daily routine: I work every working day and give myself the weekends off for some rest.
At the moment I am on holiday. I have given in my work and the lessons have finished. I should have finished off with my final year project internship in Spain, but that has been cancelled due the Covid-19 crisis. So I am looking for an internship in France and that takes up most of my days.
The confinement is going quite well for me as I am lucky enough to live in a house with a garden. So I go outside to play badminton and rugby (yes, rugby is still possible when you are two!) and gardening. If not, I play board games (we are a group of friends who play on line), I have started watching tv series, I create little treasure hunts in my house, there is no end of creative ideas! And of course, I am more often in touch with my loved ones.
Could you tell us about the project you have just finished?
For the application project, I worked on CAD (computer assisted design) plans for the Aquaphile Company, Hydro-Gen technology. My role was to design a wave turbine that was bigger than the existing one, whilst
respecting the specifications.
What do you think about your training?
I have a very positive impression of my training. I learned an enormous amount in many different fields. Now, I am able to understand what the stakes are and for which stakeholders during an MRE project. I appreciated the quality of the training and the availability of the trainers. I also met some great people, I have never laughed so much in a school year!
Do you have any advice for specialized advanced master candidates?
Above all, you have to be motivated. Indeed, it is important to stress your motivation in the application dossier. The training is very complete and intensive (the days are really full) so good motivation is essential. Although the training is quite technical and covers a little of everything, you do not become a specialist in every subject. However, you can understand everything that is happening in an MRE project, which could lead to project management with experience.
What job would you like when you graduate?
In the future, I would like to be a floating wind turbine design engineer. It is a promising technology in terms of energy production but requires a lot of studies as it is complex. And in a few years, why not a job installing an MRE farm.
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