Energy Engineers

 

“Energy conservation is the foundation of energy independence." - Thomas H. Allen

From electric equipment to modes of transport, energy resources are constantly exploited for our survival. Most of our energy comes from fossil fuels like petroleum, coal etc. which are non – renewable. Therefore we need to find alternative sources of energy which can be used even after these fossil fuels finish. This is where Energy Engineering comes in. Energy Engineering is a combination of fundamentals from concepts like energy efficiency, energy services, facility management and environment friendly energy sources. The main aim of Energy Engineering as a discipline is to maximize efficiency when dealing with energy resources and to promote the development of renewable energy resources. Engineers who practice this discipline are called Energy Engineers.

With the increase in awareness amongst people regarding depleting energy resources, the demand for Energy Engineers will increase. It is a fairly new discipline that has the potential to become one of the most valued and important careers in the future.

What does an Energy Engineer do?

Energy Engineers aim to come up with sustainable and efficient ways of using energy. They focus on making the optimum use of energy resources. Turning the energy extraction and consumption process into an environment friendly one is also one of their primary concerns.

One of the most important jobs of an Energy Engineer is to develop method and processes that can help improve energy extraction, distribution and consumption processes. Energy Engineers have to make sure that no energy is wasted during any of these three processes. They also work on existing methods and models of distribution and improve them in whichever way possible.

Environment protection is one of the primary concerns of an Energy Engineer. Therefore, Energy Engineers have to make sure that the environment is not being harmed in any way during any stage of the energy consumption cycle. They look for ways through which this damage can be minimized. One such example is the use of CNG in cars instead of Diesel and Petrol.

Energy Engineers are also required to design new machinery that can be used for the benefit of the environment and humanity. They have to test these machines before they can be used by other people in the profession. They can also repair and improve existing equipment according to their needs.

Energy Engineers have to find and decide upon locations which according to them will provide maximum natural energy reserves. These reserves can be in the form of biogas, wind energy, solar energy or even fossil fuels.

Another job that an Energy Engineer has to perform is to supervise drilling operations. These drilling operations are carried out at locations where there are natural reserves. It is an extraction process that needs to be carried out carefully. Energy Engineers have to provide instructions as to what is to be done and how it is to be done.

A lot of times, Energy Engineers are asked to go through architectural designs and see whether the energy distribution and consumption system is correct. If it’s not, then Energy Engineers make changes to the plan and give suggestions to the Architect with regards to what can be done to optimize the use of energy for that particular structure.

Energy Engineers often use mathematical and computer models to measure and predict the energy consumption of a particular structure. They then suggest ways through which lesser energy can be used to generate the same amount of light.

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How to become an Energy Engineer?

Energy Engineers focus on producing energy through natural and renewable resources. They study the production, processing, distribution, storage and utilization of energy resources through techniques like synthesis, analysis, design and case studies.

To become an Energy Engineer, you will study subjects like Math, Physics and Chemistry at school. Studying Computers can also be very beneficial for an aspiring Energy Engineer. You should choose the Science stream after your 10th.

Once you complete your schooling, you should pursue an Undergraduate course in Engineering, preferably with energy engineering major. You might have to first pass in the engineering entrance exams of the college to secure admission in this course. The two most important entrance exams are the JEE (Main) and JEE (Advanced) for the IITs and the NITs and many other colleges. You may also want to consider state level entrance exams. Many states have their own entrance exams and admission procedures.

Get an Overview of the Engineering Admissions in India. 

Once you complete your Graduation, you can choose to study further or start working immediately. You can pursue a Master’s with a specialization in energy engineering. A PhD can also follow in case your interest lies in research and development.

Networking will play a major role in a new and upcoming field such as Energy Engineering. Most people prefer to work with professionals they already know. Being in the good books of important people can get you lots of good work.

In case you want to become an Energy Engineer, you should subscribe to as many related journals as you can. These journals will not only help you publish your research but also help you keep track of the other developments in the field of Energy Engineering. Seminars can help make contacts and gain important information.

Internships can be a great help if you want to become an Energy Engineer. Internships should be taken up as much as possible during your school and college years. Assisting other engineers can provide you with important industry experience and help you make some contacts.

Institutions:

Even though Energy Engineering is not a very popular stream in India yet, there are many reputed institutions that offer great courses in this field. For your Bachelor’s, IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal and the School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT, Vellore, Chennai are the two best institutions. IIT Kharagpur has a B.Tech program in Energy Engineering. School Of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT offers a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Energy Engineering. IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay offer a M.Tech in Energy Studies and Energy Systems Engineering respectively.

What are the skills required to become an Energy Engineer?

Energy Engineers are highly skilled people who have to constantly make decisions regarding the future of the environment. They need to have the ability to analyze and make sound decisions by thinking in scientific terms. They need to be able to solve problems easily and quickly. Energy Engineers should know how to use their creativity and innovation to come up with new and better ways to use and distribute energy. They need to have a strong knowledge base in Math, Physics, Chemistry and Economics. They need to know how work as a part of a team and also be able to lead it. Energy Engineers should have excellent communication skills as they often need to convince architects and clients to use environment friendly methods for energy consumption. They also need to have good computer skills as they have to make mathematical and computer models through which they can predict the extent of damage that is taking place to the environment due to one particular structure. Energy Engineers should also have the ability to use sophisticated equipment that can measure heat and light. Also, they need to have the ability to meet deadlines and manage budgets, especially when they got out for field work. Most of all, Energy Engineers need to have the passion to use their knowledge for the betterment of the environment and society as a whole.

Is this the right career for me?

Energy Engineers lead hectic lives. They normally work for about 8-9 hours a day but that duration increases significantly to meet deadlines and on field trips. They have to constantly adapt and adjust to clients. They are well paid, but have to work really hard for every single penny they earn. They constantly have to deal with the pressure of meeting deadlines.

So if your passion lies in working for the environment, and if you love taking up responsibilities and if you’re ready to use your knowledge for the betterment of the society without expecting appreciation in return, then this might be the perfect job for you.


Fields related to Energy Engineering:

Petroleum Engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses primarily on the production of hydrocarbons such as Crude oil and Natural gas. This can be divided into three parts namely – Upstream (exploration and production), Midstream (transportation, storage and marketing) and Downstream (refining and processing). It is a sought after profession due to the need for engineers who can find oil reserves and use them in the most efficient manner possible. To get into this field, you can do a B.Tech in Petroleum Engineering from various institutes like the IITs.

Solar Energy Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with energy that is derived from the heat and light of the rays of the sun. It uses many technologies like solar heating, solar thermal electricity etc. Solar Energy Engineering is a specific area within the wide Diaspora of Energy Engineering. It is one of the fastest developing energy sources and is considered to be our primary energy source for the future.

Nuclear Energy Engineering is a branch of engineering that consists of designing, constructing and operating nuclear reactors. The research has primarily focused on the extraction of energy from the fission reaction in a nuclear reactor. It is a very important source of energy for the future and is gaining importance day by day. Many colleges offer courses in Nuclear Engineering in India.

Wind Energy Engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on the use of wind to create energy. It also consists of studying the negative aspects of wind such as tornados and hurricanes. It is one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources in the world. It is a part of Energy Engineering but some institutions offer separate Master’s courses in this field.

 


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