New and Growing Clean Energy Fields Requiring Engineers
These slim, elegant structures are starting to pop up like mushrooms wherever you go. Sometimes one will pass incredible fields of them. Other times it will be one slowly spinning quietly out in the sun. They are wind energy turbines and the steady increase in these graceful structures is also powering a new engineering specialty, wind energy engineers.
Like solar energy, wind energy has been around for a while. The basic concept is actually pretty simple. The windmill-like turbines get spun by the wind, which in turn powers a generator located near the base of the structure. Out the back there’s usually a cable where the power flows either directly to whatever it’s powering or to a storage battery. It’s exceedingly clean, renewable energy.
According to one of the major trade associations, the American Wind Energy Association, there are currently over 2,300 companies invested in the success of this non-carbon based energy source and the population is growing exponentially. One absolutely key member of any of these companies is the engineer.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines a wind engineer as responsible for the design of underground or overhead wind farm collector systems and preparation and development of site specifications. They also analyze operations to determine reliability, performance, and compliance; create models to optimize the layout of wind farm access roads, crane pads, crane paths, collection systems, substations, switchyards, or transmission lines and provide technical support whenever needed.
Those who want to enter the profession should have sterling grades in STEM-related (science, technological, engineering, math) classes. From there, they should look at online or on campus colleges with both strong mechanical and electrical/electronic curricula. Minors in power generation and energy are also highly recommended.
It is highly recommended that one also plan to go on for their Masters in a related engineering specialty. Wind engineering is in many ways a hybrid specialty with a number of options for specialization available. A sensible way to figure out one’s post-grad tract is after getting one’s 4-year degree, get employment in one of those 2,300 companies out there and find what best suits one’s interest. Then find an online college that has the courses one is interested in and still be able to hold down one’s job.
As it happens, wind engineering is such a new specialty, the Bureau only created a category for it in 2009. For details about salary and other such aspects, the Bureau openly admits it’s still gathering more definite data. So, those wanting to find out more should probably check in with the American Wind Energy Association and similar professional groups as well as college career advisors.
What can be said though is that with the world’s rapidly growing interest in renewable, replenishable and non-carbon based energy sources, wind energy is truly getting a foothold with both the general public and major organizations. It looks like its future is going to be growing much like the wind turbines that are starting to dominate many an urban and rural skyline.
Attending an online school allows the student access to the technology that will be used in this and other fields. Earning online engineering degrees in the specialty of interest is a great way to start a fulfilling and exciting career.
Author: Natasha Bright
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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