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.
Basically, the beauty of wind energy is in its simplicity. Like the old Dutch windmills, the wind spins the turbines, which in turn powers generators to create very green, inexpensive energy. Further, there’s a high utility factor to these lightweight structures; they can be seen in tremendous farms in middle America, as well as on top of New York City skyscrapers. If you need more information about electrical engineering degree check the internet.
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.
As with other STEM professions, one starts becoming a wind engineer by scoring well in the math and science classes in their secondary school. From there, probably the best route is to enroll in a brick and mortar or online college for a 4-year degree specializing in mechanical, electrical/electronic and/or civil engineering. Mixing up the disciplines a bit probably wouldn’t hurt.
After this, the general career path is to find employment in one of those 2,300 companies the Association talked about or with a company that has a similar specialization. One should check with one’s benefit director to see if the company will cover or contribute towards the cost towards post-grad work. If not, there are a number of federal, state, professional and industry-sponsored grants and scholarships out there. Consult with a financial aid advisor to see about those. There is an abundance of information about courses online on the web.
Wind power engineering should be particularly attractive for those who feel they want to be on the cutting edge of a technological revolution. The occupation is so new that the Bureau of Labor Statistics only created a category for it in the last year and openly admits its still doing research on it all.
Wind, like solar, is rapidly becoming a highly attractive possibility. You can join the search with you online education and a degree in civil engineering. Considering this, it’s not hard to believe that wind engineering is a career with an incredible future ahead of it.
