The shift from fossil fuels to more sustainable ways of producing energy is prominent in the public consciousness. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions, saving a buck in the cut-throat energy climate, and generally leaving the planet in decent condition for the next generation, are all major talking points. Schools like Carleton and the University of Victoria have established research centres for sustainable energy and its integration into our existing power infrastructure. While there is plenty of goodwill and theory behind the push for greening our lives, it can all be a little murky and overwhelming. If you’re thinking of entering the energy sector as an engineer, hopefully this primer will offer some perspective.
As far as growth industries go, the future is looking bright for green energy. “It takes a couple of decades to reach a steady-state,” says Dr Mehrdad Kazerani, a professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the University of Waterloo. “In the transition period, a diversity of expertise in related fields is necessary and there will be a shortage of qualified man-power, as the industry is expected to be moving faster than universities can produce.”
An important thing to remember is that the shift from old power production methods to renewable energy will be slow, and part of the challenge will be the hybridization or integration of the two. Dr Géza Joós is a prominent figure in Canadian research concerning the integration of renewable energy production into existing energy infrastructure, as well as a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at McGill. “The consequence of the complexity of the energy sector is that future development in renewable energy requires expertise in all fields: electrical, mechanical and information disciplines, as well as related fields such as chemical, materials and civil engineering.”
While there are important parts to play by many different professions in the energy field, the real nuts-and-bolts work falls to engineers. Mechanical Engineers in the industry are involved in the design, construction, operation, and the improvement of energy systems. Electrical Engineers, specifically those trained in Power Engineering, are concerned with the production and distribution of electricity, and the design of efficient power grids and other energy systems. Other subfields of Electrical Engineering, such as Control Systems or Communication, have direct applications in the energy sector, and there is a lot of overlap of these professions, as engineers of all stripes will often be working on the same project.
There are incidents of students pairing degrees, like Electrical Engineering with Information Engineering, to become more specialized, but Kazerani doesn’t recommend it. “It takes time, with the risk of not becoming an expert in either area, rather than both of them,” he explains. “A better choice would be to have a strong graduate with one specialty, who has passed elective courses in key interface areas and has developed strong communication skills, allowing them to work together with experts of complimentary fields.” Joós agrees with this, adding that additional training can always be acquired later. “Employers will typically hire specialists in traditional disciplines, for example electrical and mechanical engineering, and offer special training in areas in which they wish them to work,” he offers.
The energy industry is incredibly diverse, and there are a lot of points to consider before jumping into a discipline, but few career paths offer you this sort of hands-on opportunity for change. When it comes to cleaning up our act energy-wise, there are many possible roads to travel. Here’s a sampling of some of the emerging technological solutions to our power problems...
Fuel cell technology
Often, when fuel cells are discussed, it’s hydrogen fuel cells that are being referred to. These fuel cells produce energy through electrochemical reactions when introduced to an outside catalyst, in this case hydrogen. Chemical, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineers all have a part to play in development and refinement of this technology.
Wind and solar power
The obvious, go-to renewable energy in most people’s minds. Wind farms and solar panels have been around for years, and are gaining in popularity, but still quite controversial.
Smart grids
This term refers to the idea of making energy grids more efficient through automated monitoring and management of utility energy distribution through two-way communication between energy producers and consumers. This will also streamline the hybridization of traditional power infrastructures with new renewable energy sources. Information Technology Engineers will be key in implementing this technology, alongside Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Biomethane
Organic matter produces methane when it decomposes, which in turn can become flammable when met with oxygen. With all of our readily available sources of decomposing biomass (landfills, livestock manure, sewage, etc.) it only makes sense to utilize this potential fuel. Biogas would be piped into homes much like natural gas is currently.