How could a mechanical engineer work in a solar power plant?
Solar power plants are more akin to substations than generating stations. There isn't the same huge structures(ignoring the huge solar thermal silos or concentrators) so there isn't the need for complex HVAC or pump systems. But one area where a mechanical engineer might be used is in the design of mechanical alignment optimization systems, or in cooling or PV/PT hybrid systems. Designing lower maintenance linkages and actuators for ground mount axial arrays could be an interesting line of work. Take a Google at some of the temperature or peak illumination sun tracking designs. These allow far greater returns from the same footprint, while also keeping the power production more even.
What electives should I take if I am a mechanical engineering undergraduate who is interested in renewable energy?
In addition to the suggestions in Jacob VanWagoner's answer to What electives should I take if I am a mechanical engineering undergraduate who is interested in renewable energy?, you might consider nonengineering classes in the sciences that underlie the technologies you are likely to work with. As pointed out in User-12482065904783064475's answer to What electives should I take if I am a mechanical engineering undergraduate who is interested in renewable energy?, the most likely technologies for a mechanical engineer to work with are wind, photothermal, and geothermal. That suggests that topics from the earth sciences would be appropriate: geology for geothermal, atmospheric sciences for wind and photothermal. Another area you may find yourself working in is hydroelectric power, and engineering these solutions requires a fairly good understanding of how the land reacts to being inundated because most hydroelectric systems rely on impounded reservoirs, and that would also be a topic likely to be covered in geology classes. You might also consider electives in civil engineering, as large-scale constructions of any sort tend to fall within the ambit of this discipline. Certainly any hydroelectric installation will require the consultation of a civil engineer for the construction of the dam and related structures.Moving outside of engineering and the sciences, I will point out that the area of renewable energy is heavily influenced by political and economic considerations, so it would not be unwise to have some political science and economic theory under your belt; it might help you when you have to communicate with nontechnical decision makers. If you can find a seminar in the history of ecologic movements, that too might help you to contextualize the disputes and debates you'll find yourself inserted into.
Can mechanical engineers work with renewable energy?
There is a lot of mechanical engineering work to be done in bio-reactor design in the developing field of next-generation microbial photosynthetic biofuels, in order to make net energy conversion from sunlight to fuel more positive (or even to achieve positive values). Here, the problem is to find the optimum balance of improved photosynthetic efficiency and low non-solar-energy input, maximising net energy conversion.This includes things like mixing, aeration, water retention, illumination, temperature control, pH balance, preventing contamination, harvesting, separation, filtration, drying.Another related engineering (and somewhat chemical) challenge that needs addressing within the same low-energy framework is the conversion of whatever your photosynthetic organism has produced into a high-energy combustible, useful fuel.Having any energy left over after all of the energetic costs of growing, harvesting and processing is not easy. Having enough for a competitive, globally relevant fuel source is (as far as I know) currently impossible.
What is the exact role of a mechanical engineer in solar power?
A mechanical engineer mostly focuses on the physical side of solar energy. For example, they play an instrumental part in ensuring the passthrough of electricity from the panel itself is being converted from DC to AC.There are many parts to a solar panel system, like the DC to AC converter, as mentioned above, or the breaker which evens out the load of the electricity from the converter. It’s all a great big system that requires a highly skilled mechanical engineer. Honestly, a mechanical engineer plays the most vital role in the set up and operation of a solar-powered system.
How can I pursue a career in renewable energy being a mechanical engineer with good academics but very limited knowledge of chemistry, electrical and electronics domains?
If you are good at mechanical engineering concepts that’s more than enough to pursue career in renewable energy sector, even though very limited knowledge of other supporting engineering stream.Usually for mechanical engineers they will assign below mentioned domains. Design of systems that use heat and fluid flow to generate energy.Assessment of aerodynamics, structural loads, vibrations, thermal power and cooling cycles, combustion and automatic control. In addition to considering more sustainable traditional forms of energy production, the program is concerned with all possible renewable energy forms including wind, wave, tidal, solar, geothermal, hydro, pumped storage and biomass. So above domains mechanical engineer can handle very easily with little or without knowledge of chemical, electrical and computer engineering knowledge.But if you have time it’s better to revise the basics of electrical and chemical background. Anyhow engineers have sufficient knowledge of computers, so I don’t think its problem for you.
Is electrical engineering better than electronic engineering ?
In my university there's electrcial engineering and electronic engineering ! which is better for a good job oppportunity and brighter future pleae everyone give any details about this
Is nuclear fusion related to mechanical engineering in anyway?
Mechanics is the study of forces in motion. As a mechanical engineer, you may design vessels or other process components, control strategies, materials, or do experimentation/testing on the fluid mechanics and heat transfer of the system. If you want to do research into the kinetics of fusion, I would recommend you get into chemical or nuclear engineering. There is a big overlap between chemical and mechanical engineering; however, mechanical engineers don't touch reaction kinetics in this level of detail.
Will a trolling motor generate electricity and charge a battery if it is pulled thru the water?
Here is the Biggest problem with the trolling motor generator...Its not with the motor but with the capture area of the prop...Lets do the math here real quick ...I promise not to take to long...If your trolling motor uses 10 amps at 12 volts thats about 120watts ...756watts is about one horsepower,....... to get enough drag surface on the prop you need about 60 sq inches....120/756=.16hp or 480 sq inches per hp....more or less..so thats a pretty good size prop lets say 5" x 12" now to get it to spin you need a very easy rotating motor/gen set if its a permanent magnet type you have a problem getting it past the first pole is pretty hard...now lets look at rpm for a moment normally your motor cranks out that 120 watts at say 500-600 rpm to get a sail surface relationship and pitch to get your 12 vdc back... your gonna need to have one heck of a pitch or loose your voltage for lack of rpm.. So I would say this ...your idea of using the regenerative power of a dc motor to make a little wattage is quite sound ..However using a trolling motor made to puLL your boat might not be as efficient as some other means...Keep working on the idea though try using a right angle gearbox being driven by a floating paddle wheel ..or perhaps a flexible driveshaft underneath the boat with a helix coil driving an inboard alternator. Regulation for all the voltage is as easy as pie... a couple of big caps and one transistor and 30 minutes and you can build a regulator for nearly any thing up to 200watts...Ever hear of the 12v Light bulb from the old days being used as a regulator? See didnt even need a cap for that one....Anyhow have a good day from the E...