Alternative Energy Careers
A career in renewable energy is a valuable way for individuals with a wide range of skills and interests to help secur an environmentally conscious energy future. These professions aren't just producing alternative energy, they're also creating excellent career opportunities.
Bioenergy
Jobs in bioenergy require a variety of specialties and skills. And if bioenergy becomes more commercially profitable, the number of bioenergy-related jobs could increase. More farmers and foresters will be necessary to produce and harvest biomass resources. Additional transportation resources to the power and fuel plants, and more operators to run facilities will also be in demand.
Biofuel, biopower, and biobased product plants are most cost-effective when located near their source of biomass. Thus, bioenergy industry development creates direct and indirect jobs in rural areas of the country.
- Agriculteral Specialist
- Biochemist
- Microbiologist
- Chemist
- Engineer - build bioenergy plants
- Engineers (mechanical, electrical, and chemical) - run and maintain these plants.
- Farmers
- Forresters
- Machine Operators - run and maintain these plants
- Mechanics - run and maintain these plants
Ethanol
Ethanol plants run 24/7, with three to four operators on a team, typically working 12-hour shifts with four days on and three days off, then three days on and four days off. Having so many days off, and the potential to earn a big salary while living is a small town appeals to a lot of people.
- Agricultural Engineer
- Biologist
- Chemist
- Production Operator
- Production Supervisor
- Program Manager
Geothermal
The geothermal industry employs both skilled workers and those with professional degrees. Developing hot water reservoirs requires the following types of employees
- Geologist
- Geochemist
- Geophysicist
- Hydrologist
- Reservoir engineer
- Mud loggers
- Hydraulic engineer
- Driller - locate, assess, and access the reservoirs
- Environmental scientist - prepare environmental impact studies, and permit and leasing specialists obtain the land rights.
Hydropower
As with many of the other renewable energy technologies, the design, construction, and maintenance of hydropower plants requires electrical and mechanical engineers. The hydropower industry also employs environmental scientists to assess the environmental effects of their operation. Environmental scientists and engineers may participate in research and development (R&D) efforts through private companies, national laboratories, and universities.
- Biologists
- Ecologists
- Hydrologists
- Electrical engineers
- Mechanical engineers
If the hydropower project also involves managing the reservoir and the surrounding land, the developer will also hire
- Recreation planners
- Resource managers
Solar Power
Growth of the solar power industry has created high-wage jobs for individuals with many different types of training. Research and development groups at national laboratories, universities, and private companies continually work to improve solar products,lower their costs, and improve their reliability.
Individuals generally have professional degrees in electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering; materials science, and/or physics.
- Chemical Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
As each technology progresses past the research phase, an increasing number of both professional and skilled workers are needed to sell, manufacture, design, install, and maintain equipment.
- Electrician
- Solar Engineer
- Technician
- Technical Manager
Wind Power
The wind industry employs both professional and skilled workers in a number of different capacities. New wind projects require people with business, meteorological, and engineering experience to plan and build projects. Meteorologists help engineers identify appropriate sites with suitable wind conditions. Engineers then design wind plants, working with the utility companies and communities. Construction workers are needed to build the wind plant. And mechanical and electrical technicians, called "windsmiths," are required to operate and maintain the wind turbines.
- Aeronautical Engineer (advanced degree)
- Electrical Engineer (advanced degree)
- Mechanical Engineer (advanced degree)
- Meteorologists
- Project Manager
- Windsmith (Mechanical and Electrical Technicians)
These research and development (R&D) groups generally employ mechanical, electrical, and aeronautical engineers with advanced degrees, as well as experienced technicians. However, others with technical backgrounds may also find jobs.
