Careers in Renewable Energy?
How does someone get into a career working with renewable energy? A technician or similar job working with wind or solar would be something I'd be very interested in. I'm a year away from completing my Associate's in electronics and electrical control systems. This is something I feel I could be very passionate about and enjoy doing.
How can civil engineers (structural) take up a career in the renewable energy field?
The renewable industry covers a wide range of renewable energy sources and to harness these energy sources, some form of infrastructure would be necessary. As long as there is a need for the safe & compliant design, construction and commissioning of infrastructure (which is a necessity in the renewable industry), there will always be a need for structural engineers.To answer your question “How can civil engineers (structural) take up a career in the renewable energy field?”, you can do the following;learn as much as you can about the industry.keep an eye out for renewable energy projects/firms that may be recruiting.join an engineering consultancies that renders its services to the renewable industry.most important of all, network with those already in the industry. I can’t truly stress how important this is and you will be amazed by the power of referrals.I am currently involved in a renewable energy project (landed the role through referral), and I can honestly say structural engineers are involved in the front-end engineering & design phase right through to the commissioning phase, with varying input levels.
Which is the best master's program to go to for an energy-related career: Boston University with a full tuition scholarship or Duke or Columbia without an award?
Boston University on a full scholarship.Why?If you are a Fulbright Grantee, you've already got quite an impressive resume. Duke or Columbia may have a higher reputation, but you will have to take out $100,000 in student loans for tuition! Go to Boston University.They've actually done studies on this and determined that the school itself is not responsible for how far you go in life. Whether a school valedictorian picks Harvard or the local state university, it doesn't actually impact that much on future opportunities and earnings. Top people are going to do well regardless. Go to BU on a full scholarship and save $100,000.
For an engineering student that wants a career related to sustainability and renewable energy, should the major chosen be mechanical or industrial engineering?
Mechanical with HVAC, building science and some electrical power classes will help you excel in the sustainability related building industry.Industrial Engineering is for manufacturing products. It’s like going to a different career path. It’s like choosing cardiology over dermatology. They are that different.Thr only courses that might help you are Project Management, Six Sigma and Engineering Economy. Six Sigma is for manufacturing mainly but will help you understand efficiency.
What is the physics related to the process of forming nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy comes from the concept of binding energy. When applying Einstein's postulates of Special Relativity to kinematics and dynamics (Relativistic Mechanics), we get this extra quantity called rest mass (E=mc^2). If we apply that to the conservation of energy, then we get the result that the mass of objects that are combined is less than the sum of masses of the individual objects. This difference in mass manifests as energy... called binding energy. For example, if you measured the mass of Hydrogen-2 atom (1 proton, 1 neutron, 1 electron), it would less than if you separated all three of them and added each of their masses. Now protons and neutrons can interact with nuclei called nuclear reactions. The binding energy of these reactions gives the resulting particles kinetic energy. For a nuclear reactor, these resulting particles loss this energy in the form of heat. Fission reactions involve very large nuclei being slip w/ a interaction with a neutron. The probability and nature of nuclear reactions depends on "configuration" of nuclei, which is described by quantum mechanics.
Is renewable energy a good option for career?
If you have a major in any Engineering related course such as: mechanical, electrical, civil and environmental maybe you will enjoy a lot this new (almost) work field. Working with energy based issues is always challenging and rewarding.Since my college years (nearly 15 years ago), I have always wanted to work with renewable energies. I’ve graduated as a Mechanical Engineer and quickly choosed studying all thermal engineering related issues as a master’s student. Almost at the same time, I’ve started working in a large local energy company and worked there for nearly eleven years straight which gave me an unique view of how businesses are made in energy sector. As a matter of fact, there are such many great things you can work with it:> Power Plants Design: always a nice option learning and working with power plant design related to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass.> Corrective and Predictive Maintenance: all of those equipments used in power generation requires periodic maintenance, what a great opportunity to work directly with engineering and renewable energies at the same time.> Environmental Licensing: another crucial area related with fulfilling local authorities all needed information in order to avoid huge environmental impacts due to the construction of energy generation projects.> Base Scenario Analysis: predicting scenarios to help companies whether is convenient (and profitable as well) to apply for funding and building renewable energy power plants.> Equipment Supplying: being part of an energy company supply chain can be an unique experience in terms of engineering learn and even in financial terms.> Funding/Financing: there are plenty of cash (with low interest rates) worldwide - waiting for a good investment and/or opportunity tied to clean energy sector. Trying to fill those gaps between necessity and possibilities could be very profitableAt last but not least…> Energy sector worldwide its always a strategic field due to a country’s sovereignty related issues. Based on this, no matter you’re working in private sector or even any government instance, always try to be aware of all legislation related changes that periodically occur and can be used in your own benefit.Hope that could help
What are the career prospects for renewable energy engineers?
In Australia, it’s pretty tough to find work. I was looking for work since my first year (2011), but only managed to secure a part-time job for the long-term in March 2016, where I am still working. I worked in several jobs before that in the renewable energy industry, but they were project based or temporary.If you get good grades, it is easier to find work, as you can apply for graduate programs in large corporations, which are very competitive.You can also do consulting or work with a small business or startup.Finding work overseas is difficult, but less so if you have dual citizenship.You can study full-time and work hard and long to get good grades. Or, you can study part-time, and work to get good grades, and maybe work part-time as well. If I was going back to do my degree again, I’d probably do the latter. I would probably also look to get into the renewable energy engineering industry by not doing a renewable energy engineering degree at UNSW, but instead doing a degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or even plasma physics for nuclear fusion.