This section's articles

Process or Manufacturing Engineer

Overview A manufacturing engineer can work in many diverse areas. In the renewable energy industry, the role of a Manufacturing Engineer covers a wide variety of activities from the production of the main energy generating equipment and components to structures and cabling or pipework. The aim of the Manufacturing Engineer will be to increase the efficiencies, reduce maintenance and lower the cost of renewable energy equipment such as wind turbines, solar panels and heat pumps. They will (...)

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Material Scientist

Overview Continued research and development (R&D) into renewable energy is one of the main drivers to ensure its long-term success. A material scientist will work in laboratory and workshops using cutting-edge technology to create and test new materials. They will work for private companies or in universities. Their work will mainly relate to solar energy (e.g. new photovoltaic cells, especially in thin-film technologies), wind energy (e.g. light weight composites for blades), biomass (...)

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Civil works Engineer

Overview Civil Engineers will work in many different areas. In the field of renewable energy the role of the Civil Works Engineers is to design, build and maintain structural works that support renewable energy installations (e.g. wind turbine foundations) and ensure reliable access (e.g. designing of road accesses). Project can vary in size up to very large scales (e.g. dam construction for hydro-electric power stations). They will spend their time between design/support offices and (...)

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Software Engineer

Overview A software engineer researches, designs and develops software systems. Software has critical functions in all areas of renewable energy from general manufacturing to controlling the automation in wind turbines or providing GPS positioning for biomass harvesting. Once software systems have been fully designed, the software engineers test, debug and maintain them. Software engineers are sometimes referred to as computer programmers or software developers. They increasingly need to (...)

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Wave or Tidal Engineer

Overview The sea offers considerable potential for free and clean energy generation. There are many possible forms varying from turbine types (which take advantage of sea currents) to floatation devices that move with the tide or action of the waves. The main aim of a Wave or Tidal Engineer will be to help develop economically viable wave/tidal generation systems and move them from trails and testing into full-scale mass-production. A Wave or Tidal Engineer will work in varied (...)

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Environmental/Bioclimatic Architect

Overview An environmental architect designs buildings with specific attention to environmental aspects such as the energy consumption, taking care of climate change impacts and using/recycling locally sourced construction materials. They work closely with engineers (e.g. structural and, building services engineers), clients, cost consultants, planners and specialist consultants (such as landscape architects, transport and fire consultants) as well as end-users and other key stakeholders. (...)

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Building Services Engineer

Overview Building services engineers design and commission the equipment for the mechanical, electrical and public health services in all types of new buildings or refurbishments. This includes the provision of heat, fresh air, power, lighting, IT, water and waste disposal as well as specialist areas such as lifts and escalators or security systems. Energy efficient systems and renewable energy integration are becoming more and more important in the design of buildings and the role of (...)

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Micrositing Engineer

Overview A micrositing engineer, or wind resource analyst, will analyse the local terrain and wind data in order to determine the most effective distribution of wind turbines for a proposed wind farm. They will work within project development offices and will be part of a close team of consultants visiting a wide range of sites. The energy a turbine produces is a strongly related to the wind speeds (doubling the average wind speed a turbine is exposed to increases the energy available by a (...)

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Environmental Engineer

Overview An environmental engineer / consultant will work with teams of engineers and designers involved with high performance buildings, large scale renewable energy sites (e.g. wind farms and biomass or hydroelectric developments) and other areas such as large-scale water and waste treatment. They will ensure the aims of the projects/installations are met without negatively impacting on the environment. The importance of sustainability is growing in many areas and building design and (...)

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Wind Turbine Design Engineer

Overview A wind turbine design engineer will usually work in the main facilities of one of the large wind turbine manufacturers. Their aim is to produce turbines which have greater performance (can extract more energy from the wind), are more reliable, have a lower cost and low environmental impacts (e.g. is quieter). This role is particularly important as any improvements made to current systems will be rolled out many times over as many new wind turbines will be manufactured and (...)

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Power Systems Engineer

Overview A Power Systems Engineer will work with teams of Electrical and Mechanical engineers and designers involved in the development of renewable energy projects of capacity ranging from small (few kW of power) to very large (several MW of power). Such projects include wind power supply systems, photovoltaic installations, biomass and geothermal systems and hydroelectric developments. The issue of the integration of renewable energy sources into the so-called “smart electricity grids” (...)

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Hydropower Engineer

Overview A hydropower engineer will design small and medium sized hydropower generation facilities or be part of a larger project teams on major commissions. Small-medium hydropower has significant potential for new installations. However, there is also considerable scope for improving and optimising existing large-scale hydropower stations. The benefits of hydropower include the absence of waste products, it does not pollute the water or air, the energy is very predictable and reliable (...)

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Biomass Engineer

Overview A biomass engineer creates and develops processes to generate energy from biomass forms such as wood (e.g. chips or pellets), ‘energy crops’ and wastes from agriculture, food and industry. They may focus on one or more of the following: engineering, construction and development of biomass power projects from initial development through to grid connection. They will also operate, overhaul and upgrade of the power plants and develop new technology from mock ups and pilot plants to full (...)

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Biofuel Chemist

Overview Biofuel chemists apply scientific principles and use biological and chemical processes to convert raw biomass into biofuels. Presently the majority of the biofuel production and research into biofuels focuses on ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, hydrogen and their additives. These fuels, if produced sustainably, are carbon neutral and help solve the problems of pollution and resource depletion. The biofuel chemist will work in teams and as a member of a large organization such as a (...)

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Geotechnical Design Engineer

Overview A Geotechnical Design Engineer will work with teams of engineers and designers involved with large-scale renewable energy sites (e.g. wind farms and biomass or hydroelectric developments). A company wishing to construct a new project will, after consulting with Planning Engineers to develop a system layout, arrange for geotechnical engineers to join the team. Geotechnical engineers will study local ground conditions and develop the design of the foundation elements. They will (...)

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Commissioning Engineer

Overview A Commissioning Engineer working in the renewable energy sector will be responsible for the successful start-up of new energy generation facilities or successful completion of modifications to an existing plant. They will deal with different kind of contractors and installers and check all the installation processes and coordinate personnel. It is their responsibility to ensure that the plant is ready and secure for operation according to the specifications and that it will (...)

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R&D Scientist

Overview R&D scientists study the energy flows in nature and human energy consumption and devise ways to harness the former in the service of the latter. The research may be in more fundamental areas concentrating on the underlying physical principles of energy and its uses in order to develop new forms of renewable energies, or research can be more applied, concentrating on improving existing technologies using laboratory and field testing. The work is typically done in teams and (...)

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Hydrogeologist

“Being available and having to travel means 4 days in the field for every 1 day in the office !” Overview Hydrogeologists specialise in prospecting for and evaluating underground water resources. They examine the subsoil by investigating its properties and also by interpreting data obtained from drilling, monitoring underground water levels, springs and hydrochemical readings; this helps them to determine potential for aquifers. By using land observations and being able to use various (...)

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