renewable energy engineering essay

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renewable energy

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renewable energy , usable energy derived from replenishable sources such as the Sun ( solar energy ), wind ( wind power ), rivers ( hydroelectric power ), hot springs ( geothermal energy ), tides ( tidal power ), and biomass ( biofuels ).

At the beginning of the 21st century, about 80 percent of the world’s energy supply was derived from fossil fuels such as coal , petroleum , and natural gas . Fossil fuels are finite resources; most estimates suggest that the proven reserves of oil are large enough to meet global demand at least until the middle of the 21st century. Fossil fuel combustion has a number of negative environmental consequences. Fossil-fueled power plants emit air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide , particulate matter , nitrogen oxides, and toxic chemicals (heavy metals: mercury , chromium , and arsenic ), and mobile sources, such as fossil-fueled vehicles, emit nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide , and particulate matter. Exposure to these pollutants can cause heart disease , asthma , and other human health problems. In addition, emissions from fossil fuel combustion are responsible for acid rain , which has led to the acidification of many lakes and consequent damage to aquatic life, leaf damage in many forests, and the production of smog in or near many urban areas. Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), one of the main greenhouse gases that cause global warming .

In contrast, renewable energy sources accounted for nearly 20 percent of global energy consumption at the beginning of the 21st century, largely from traditional uses of biomass such as wood for heating and cooking . By 2015 about 16 percent of the world’s total electricity came from large hydroelectric power plants, whereas other types of renewable energy (such as solar, wind, and geothermal) accounted for 6 percent of total electricity generation. Some energy analysts consider nuclear power to be a form of renewable energy because of its low carbon emissions; nuclear power generated 10.6 percent of the world’s electricity in 2015.

Growth in wind power exceeded 20 percent and photovoltaics grew at 30 percent annually in the 1990s, and renewable energy technologies continued to expand throughout the early 21st century. Between 2001 and 2017 world total installed wind power capacity increased by a factor of 22, growing from 23,900 to 539,581 megawatts. Photovoltaic capacity also expanded, increasing by 50 percent in 2016 alone. The European Union (EU), which produced an estimated 6.38 percent of its energy from renewable sources in 2005, adopted a goal in 2007 to raise that figure to 20 percent by 2020. By 2016 some 17 percent of the EU’s energy came from renewable sources. The goal also included plans to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 percent and to ensure that 10 percent of all fuel consumption comes from biofuels . The EU was well on its way to achieving those targets by 2017. Between 1990 and 2016 the countries of the EU reduced carbon emissions by 23 percent and increased biofuel production to 5.5 percent of all fuels consumed in the region. In the United States numerous states have responded to concerns over climate change and reliance on imported fossil fuels by setting goals to increase renewable energy over time. For example, California required its major utility companies to produce 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010, and by the end of that year California utilities were within 1 percent of the goal. In 2008 California increased this requirement to 33 percent by 2020, and in 2017 the state further increased its renewable-use target to 50 percent by 2030.

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What Does a Renewable Energy Engineer Do?

Learn about renewable energy engineers and the work you will do in this role to find energy solutions for combating climate change.

Renewable energy engineers develop and design systems to use energy from renewable resources, such as the sun, wind, and water. Renewable resources are energy sources that are naturally and continually replaced. They are alternatives to nonrenewable resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas that do not replenish themselves. 

Throughout the past 200 years, nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels have revolutionized human technological progress through their convenience and the amount of energy they produce per kilogram. Even though fossil fuels account for 79 percent of all energy resources used as of 2022 [ 1 ], they are harmful to the environment, pumping carbon dioxide into the air and contributing to global climate change. This is why renewable energy use is on the rise, especially with decreasing costs for the technology, creating opportunities for renewable energy engineers to help build the energy future. 

This article examines what a renewable energy engineer does, the importance of the role, the skills needed, renewable energy engineer jobs, and how to start on this career path.

What is a renewable energy engineer?

Renewable energy engineers design, implement, and maintain renewable energy infrastructure. In this role, you might design renewable energy solutions in new places using current technology, optimize technology to be more efficient and economical, or search for new renewable energy technologies entirely. Your main goal will be figuring out how to harness energy from renewable resources in a way that reduces cost and maximizes the energy generated. 

What kind of engineers work in renewable energy?

While some engineers may have the specific job title of renewable energy engineer, many kinds of engineers work in the renewable energy field. Let’s take a look at the various engineers who work in renewable energy:

Chemical engineers

Mechanical engineers, industrial engineers.

Chemical engineers use their understanding of chemistry, physics, and math to solve environmental problems. Two problems in the product of renewable energy that chemical engineers face are finding alternatives for fossil fuels and creating new methods for making this change possible. In this role, you will analyze the cost of alternatives, how to recycle or dispose of chemical waste, and how to scale up production processes. 

Mechanical engineers work in every process during the production of renewable energy, from the production of effective wind turbines to solar power. In this role, you will develop and improve energy systems' mechanical, thermodynamic, fluid dynamic, and material aspects. You'll make systems cost-effective and research new technologies and infrastructure for energy storage. 

The production of renewable energy requires many interconnecting disciplines and a systematic production process that requires the skills of industrial engineers to create. You'll find processes to convert, distribute, and consume renewable energy sources by interconnecting all disciplines involved in the process. 

Where do renewable energy engineers work?

In a similar way that renewable energy engineers work in various energy disciplines, they also work in different industries. They work for local and federal governments as well as for manufacturing and consulting companies. Some companies they work for are:

US Department of Energy

Exxon Mobil

General Electric

Amergy Solar

FutureNet Group

TPI Composites

Renewable energy engineers work in the automotive, environmental, hazardous material, wastewater, or urban planning industries. 

What does a renewable energy engineer do?

While all renewable energy engineers look to optimize energy solutions, you can specialize in a specific energy source like solar or wind power, working within the unique aspects of each energy source. You’ll likely work in an office but may often travel to job sites for installation and maintenance of equipment. 

Let’s take a closer look at the tasks and responsibilities of renewable energy engineers. 

Renewable energy engineer tasks and responsibilities

The overarching task of renewable energy engineers is to research and design renewable energy systems either from the start or revamp an old engineering system to work with renewable energy. Once a project begins, you will oversee its development to ensure it meets federal, state, and local environmental regulations. You’ll also maintain equipment so that it keeps up its function and works as intended. 

The day-to-day tasks of a renewable energy engineer may consist of:

Creating cost estimates for projects

Identifying new energy projects and ways to improve infrastructure

Implementing safety protocols and ensuring compliance

Managing projects to completion by coordinating with contractors

Creating and presenting project blueprints to clients and other engineers

Working on-site, overseeing construction operations

Collaborating with engineering teams to look for solutions

Carrying out final inspections after project completion

Renewable energy engineer skills

As a renewable energy engineer, you need a variety of skills to be successful in your job. Like many other engineering roles, this role requires math and science competencies, data analysis skills, skills in computer-aided design (CAD), and the ability to manage teams to ensure projects meet deadlines. Below is a list of technical and workplace skills essential for renewable energy engineers. 

Technical skills

The range of technical skills for renewable energy engineers includes:

Renewable energy market knowledge

Renewable energy regulations

Project management

Energy engineering

Solar power

Photovoltaics (PV)

Workplace skills

Workplace skills for renewable energy engineers are as follows:

Problem-solving

Organization 

Verbal communication

Written communication 

Renewable energy engineer salary and job outlook

The salary for renewable energy engineers varies depending on the job type. Let’s take a closer look at a variety of renewable energy engineer average salaries:

Renewable energy engineer: $ 86,146 per year [ 2 ]

Solar engineer: $ 78,724 per year [ 3 ] 

Wind engineer: $ 111,718 per year [ 4 ] 

Energy engineer: $ 97,284 per year [ 5 ] 

Energy efficiency engineer: $ 98,659 per year [ 6 ]

One of the biggest factors that affect the average annual salary of a renewable energy engineer is years of experience in the field [ 2 ]:

With renewable energy expected to replace more and more fossil fuels, growth opportunities will likely open up. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a job growth rate of 6 percent for environmental engineers from 2022 to 2032 [ 7 ].

Renewable energy engineer career path

As a renewable energy engineer, you may start your career as a junior engineer before gaining experience and taking on more of the leadership responsibilities of a senior renewable energy engineer. 

Education and training

Employers often require renewable energy engineers to have at least a bachelor’s degree for an entry-level position. Some may require a master’s degree for higher-level positions. If you pursue an undergraduate degree in environmental, electrical, chemical, or mechanical engineering, you should gain sufficient knowledge in your studies to work in the field instead of needing a specified renewable energy engineering degree. 

Certification

Most employers also require renewable energy engineers to attain certification. The kind of certification needed for engineers varies from state to state. However, the Certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP) certification is a good fit for renewable energy engineers. This certification requires a related degree or qualification plus two to five years of work experience; alternatively, you may be eligible with a Certified Energy Manager credential or 10 years of work experience. You must also complete 27 hours of training and pass an exam on renewable energy topics. 

A range of other basic engineering certifications may be useful, such as the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) professional engineer certification. This certification first requires the passing of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, which recent graduates can take. Once you have gained four years of work experience, you can take the Principles and Practice of Environmental (PE) exam to prove your competency in the field. Always check your state’s licensing board before registering for an examination to see if it has additional requirements. 

Getting started with Coursera

Are you looking to upskill in your current job or find an entry-level position as a renewable energy engineer? Try the Renewable Energy and Green Building Entrepreneurship course from Duke University or the Introduction to Environmental Science Specialization from Dartmouth, both on Coursera. They each provide you with a shareable certificate upon completion to prove your skills. 

Article sources

US Energy Information Administration. “ Renewable energy explained , https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/renewable-sources/.” Accessed March 18, 2024. 

Glassdoor. “ How much does a Renewable Energy Engineer make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/renewable-energy-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm?clickSource=searchBtn/.” Accessed March 18, 2024.

Glassdoor. “ How much does a Solar Engineer make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-solar-engineer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,17.htm.” Accessed March 18, 2024.

Glassdoor. “ How much does a Wind Engineer make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-wind-engineer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,16.htm.” Accessed March 18, 2024.

Glassdoor. “ How much does an Energy Engineer make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-energy-engineer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,18.htm.” Accessed March 18, 2024.

Glassdoor. “ How much does an Energy Efficiency Engineer make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/united-states-energy-efficiency-engineer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,13_IN1_KO14,40.htm.” Accessed March 18, 2024.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Environmental Engineer Job Outlook , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm#tab-6.” Accessed March 18, 2024.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

The Understand Energy Learning Hub is a cross-campus effort of the Precourt Institute for Energy .

Introduction to Renewable Energy

Exploring our content.

Fast Facts View our summary of key facts and information. ( Printable PDF, 270 KB )

Before You Watch Our Lecture Maximize your learning experience by reviewing these carefully curated readings we assign to our students.

Our Lecture Watch the Stanford course lecture.

Additional Resources Find out where to explore beyond our site.

Fast Facts About Renewable Energy

Principle Energy Uses: Electricity, Heat Forms of Energy: Kinetic, Thermal, Radiant, Chemical

The term “renewable” encompasses a wide diversity of energy resources with varying economics, technologies, end uses, scales, environmental impacts, availability, and depletability. For example, fully “renewable” resources are not depleted by human use, whereas “semi-renewable” resources must be properly managed to ensure long-term availability. The most renewable type of energy is energy efficiency, which reduces overall consumption while providing the same energy service. Most renewable energy resources have significantly lower environmental and climate impacts than their fossil fuel counterparts.

The data in these Fast Facts do not reflect two important renewable energy resources: traditional biomass, which is widespread but difficult to measure; and energy efficiency, a critical strategy for reducing energy consumption while maintaining the same energy services and quality of life. See the Biomass and Energy Efficiency pages to learn more.

Significance

14% of world 🌎 9% of US 🇺🇸

Electricity Generation

30% of world 🌎 21% of US 🇺🇸

Global Renewable Energy Uses

Electricity 65% Heat 26% Transportation 9%

Global Consumption of Renewable Electricity Change

Increase: ⬆ 33% (2017 to 2022)

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency measures such as LED light bulbs reduce the need for energy in the first place

Renewable Resources

Wind Solar Ocean

Semi-Renewable Resources

Hydro Geothermal Biomass

Renewable Energy Has Vast Potential to Meet Global Energy Demand

Solar >1,000x global demand Wind ~3x global demand

Share of Global Energy Demand Met by Renewable Resources

Hydropower 7% Wind 3% Solar 2% Biomass <2%  

Share of Global Electricity Generation Met by Renewable Resources

Hydropower 15% Wind 7% Solar 5% Biomass & Geothermal <3%

Global Growth

Hydropower generation increase ⬆6% Wind generation increase ⬆84% Solar generation increase ⬆197% Biofuels consumption increase ⬆23% (2017-2022)

Largest Renewable Energy Producers

China 34% 🇨🇳 US 10% 🇺🇸 of global renewable energy

Highest Penetration of Renewable Energy

Norway 72% 🇳🇴 of the country’s primary energy is renewable

(China is at 16%, the US is at 11%)

Largest Renewable Electricity Producers

China 31% 🇨🇳 US 11% 🇺🇸 of global renewable electricity

Highest Penetration of Renewable Electricity

Albania, Bhutan, CAR, Lesotho, Nepal, & Iceland 100%

Iceland, Ethiopia, Paraguay, DRC, Norway, Costa Rica, Uganda, Namibia, Eswatini, Zambia, Tajikistan, & Sierra Leone > 90% of the country’s primary electricity is renewable

(China is at 31%, the US is at 22%)

Share of US Energy Demand Met by Renewable Resources

Biomass 5% Wind 2% Hydro 1% Solar 1%

Share of US Electricity Generation Met by Renewable Resources

Wind 10% Hydropower 6% Solar 3% Biomass 1%

US States That Produce the Most Renewable Electricity

Texas 21% California 11% of US renewable energy production

US States With Highest Penetration of Renewable Electricity

Vermont >99% South Dakota 84% Washington 76% Idaho 75% of state’s total generation comes from renewable fuels

Renewable Energy Expansion Policies

The Inflation Reduction Act continued tax credits for new renewable energy projects in the US.

Production Tax Credit (PTC)

Tax credit of $0.0275/kWh of electricity produced at qualifying renewable power generation sites

Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

Tax credit of 30% of the cost of a new qualifying renewable power generation site

To read more about the credit qualifications, visit this EPA site .

*LCOE (levelized cost of electricity) - price for which a unit of electricity must be sold for system to break even

Important Factors for Renewable Site Selection

• Resource availability
• Environmental constraints and sensitivities, including cultural and archeological sites
• Transmission infrastructure
• Power plant retirements
• Transmission congestion and prices
• Electricity markets
• Load growth driven by population and industry
• Policy support
• Land rights and permitting
• Competitive and declining costs of wind, solar, and energy storage
• Lower environmental and climate impacts (social costs) than fossil fuels
• Expansion of competitive wholesale electricity markets
• Governmental clean energy and climate targets and policies
• Corporate clean energy targets and procurement of renewable energy
• No fuel cost or fuel price volatility
• Retirements of old and/or expensive coal and nuclear power plants
• Most renewable resources are abundant, undepletable
• Permitting hurdles and NIMBY/BANANA* concerns
• Competition from subsidized fossil fuels and a lack of price for their social cost (e.g., price on carbon)
• Site-specific resources means greater need to transport energy/electricity to demand
• High initial capital expenditure requirements required to access fuel cost/operating savings
• Intermittent resources
• Inconsistent governmental incentives and subsidies
• Managing environmental impacts to the extent that they exist

*NIMBY - not in my backyard; BANANA - build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything

Climate Impact: Low to High

• Solar, wind, geothermal, and ocean have low climate impacts with near-zero emissions; hydro and biomass can have medium to high climate impact
• Hydro: Some locations have greenhouse gas emissions due to decomposing flooded vegetation
• Biomass: Some crops require significant energy inputs, land use change can release carbon dioxide and methane

Environmental Impact: Low to High

• Most renewable energy resources have low environmental impacts, particularly relative to fossil fuels; some, like biomass, can have more significant impacts
• No air pollution with the exception of biomass from certain feedstocks
• Can have land and habitat disruption for biomass production, solar, and hydro
• Potential wildlife impacts from wind turbines (birds and bats)
• Modest environmental impacts during manufacturing, transportation, and end of life

Updated January 2024

Before You Watch Our Lecture on Introduction to Renewable Energy

We assign videos and readings to our Stanford students as pre-work for each lecture to help contextualize the lecture content. We strongly encourage you to review the Essential reading below before watching our lecture on  Introduction to Renewable Energy . Include the Optional and Useful readings based on your interests and available time.

• The Sustainable Energy in America 2024 Factbook (Executive Summary pp. 5-10) . Bloomberg New Energy Finance. 2024. (6 pages) Provides valuable year-over-year data and insights on the American energy transformation.

Optional and Useful

• Renewables 2024 Global Status Report (Global Overview pp. 10-39) . REN21. 2024. (30 pages)  Documents the progress made in the renewable energy sector and highlights the opportunities afforded by a renewable-based economy and society.

Our Lecture on Introduction to Renewable Energy

This is our Stanford University Understand Energy course lecture that introduces renewable energy. We strongly encourage you to watch the full lecture to gain foundational knowledge about renewable energy and important context for learning more about specific renewable energy resources. For a complete learning experience, we also encourage you to review the Essential reading we assign to our students before watching the lecture.

Presented by: Kirsten Stasio , Adjunct Lecturer, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University; CEO, Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) Recorded on:  May 15, 2024  Duration: 68 minutes

Table of Contents

(Clicking on a timestamp will take you to YouTube.) 00:00 Introduction  02:06 What Does “Renewable” Mean?  15:29 What Role Do Renewables Play in Our Energy Use?  27:12 What Factors Affect Renewable Energy Project Development?

Lecture slides available upon request .

Additional Resources About Renewable Energy

Stanford university.

• Precourt Institute for Energy Renewable Energy , Energy Efficiency
• Stanford Energy Club
• Energy Modeling Forum
• Sustainable Stanford
• Sustainable Finance Initiative
• Mark Jacobson - Renewable energy
• Michael Lepech - Life-cycle analysis
• Leonard Ortolano - Environmental and water resource planning
• Chris Field - Climate change, land use, bioenergy, solar energy
• David Lobell - Climate change, agriculture, biofuels, land use
• Sally Benson - Climate change, energy, carbon capture and storage

Government and International Organizations

• International Energy Agency (IEA) Renewables Renewables 2022 Report .
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)
• US Energy Information Administration (EIA) Renewable Energy Explained
• US Energy Information Administration (EIA) Energy Kids Renewable Energy
• US Energy Information Administration (EIA) Today in Energy Renewables

Other Organizations and Resources

• REN21: Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century
• REN21 Renewables 2023 Global Status Report Renewables in Energy Supply
• BloombergNEF (BNEF)
• Carnegie Institution for Science  Biosphere Sciences and Engineering
• The Solutions Project
• Renewable Energy World
• World of Renewables
• Energy Upgrade California

Next Topic: Energy Efficiency Other Energy Topics to Explore

Fast Facts Sources

• Energy Mix (World 2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Energy Mix (US 2022): US Energy Information Agency (EIA). Total Energy: Energy Overview, Table 1.3 . 
• Electricity Mix (World 2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Electricity Mix (US 2022): US Energy Information Agency (EIA). Total Energy: Electricity, Table 7.2a.  
• Global Solar Use (2022): REN21. Renewables 2023 Global Status Report: Renewables in Energy Supply , page 42. 2023
• Global Consumption of Renewable Electricity Change (2017-2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Renewable Energy Potential: Perez & Perez. A Fundamental Look at Energy Reserves for the Planet . 2009
• Share of Global Energy Demand (2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Share of Global Electricity Demand (2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Global Growth (2017-2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Largest Renewable Energy Producers (World 2022): International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable Capacity Statistics 2023 . 2023.
• Highest Penetration Renewable Energy (World 2022): Our World in Data. Renewable Energy . 2023.
• Largest Renewable Electricity Producers (World 2022):   Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Highest Penetration Renewable Electricity (World 2022): Our World in Data. Renewable Energy . 2023.
• Share of US Energy Demand (2022): Energy Information Administration (EIA). Electric Power Monthly. 2023.
• Share of Electricity Generation (2022): Energy Information Administration (EIA). Electric Power Monthly. 2023.
• States with Highest Generation (2022): Energy Information Administration (EIA). Electric Power Monthly. 2023.
• States with Highest Penetration (2021): Energy Information Administration (EIA). State Profile and Energy Estimates. 2023.
• LCOE of US Renewable Resources: Lazard. LCOE. April 2023.
• LCOE of US Non Renewable Resources: Lazard. LCOE. April 2023.

More details available on request . Back to Fast Facts

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Renewable Energy

Renewable energy comes from sources that will not be used up in our lifetimes, such as the sun and wind.

Earth Science, Experiential Learning, Engineering, Geology

Wind Turbines in a Sheep Pasture

Wind turbines use the power of wind to generate energy. This is just one source of renewable energy.

Photograph by Jesus Keller/ Shutterstock

The wind, the sun, and Earth are sources of  renewable energy . These energy sources naturally renew, or replenish themselves.

Wind, sunlight, and the planet have energy that transforms in ways we can see and feel. We can see and feel evidence of the transfer of energy from the sun to Earth in the sunlight shining on the ground and the warmth we feel when sunlight shines on our skin. We can see and feel evidence of the transfer of energy in wind’s ability to pull kites higher into the sky and shake the leaves on trees. We can see and feel evidence of the transfer of energy in the geothermal energy of steam vents and geysers .

People have created different ways to capture the energy from these renewable sources.

Solar Energy

Solar energy can be captured “actively” or “passively.”

Active solar energy uses special technology to capture the sun’s rays. The two main types of equipment are photovoltaic cells (also called PV cells or solar cells) and mirrors that focus sunlight in a specific spot. These active solar technologies use sunlight to generate electricity , which we use to power lights, heating systems, computers, and televisions.

Passive solar energy does not use any equipment. Instead, it gets energy from the way sunlight naturally changes throughout the day. For example, people can build houses so their windows face the path of the sun. This means the house will get more heat from the sun. It will take less energy from other sources to heat the house.

Other examples of passive solar technology are green roofs , cool roofs, and radiant barriers . Green roofs are completely covered with plants. Plants can get rid of pollutants in rainwater and air. They help make the local environment cleaner.

Cool roofs are painted white to better reflect sunlight. Radiant barriers are made of a reflective covering, such as aluminum. They both reflect the sun’s heat instead of absorbing it. All these types of roofs help lower the amount of energy needed to cool the building.

Advantages and Disadvantages There are many advantages to using solar energy. PV cells last for a long time, about 20 years.

However, there are reasons why solar power cannot be used as the only power source in a community. It can be expensive to install PV cells or build a building using passive solar technology.

Sunshine can also be hard to predict. It can be blocked by clouds, and the sun doesn’t shine at night. Different parts of Earth receive different amounts of sunlight based on location, the time of year, and the time of day.

Wind Energy

People have been harnessing the wind’s energy for a long, long time. Five-thousand years ago, ancient Egyptians made boats powered by the wind. In 200 B.C.E., people used windmills to grind grain in the Middle East and pump water in China.

Today, we capture the wind’s energy with wind turbines . A turbine is similar to a windmill; it has a very tall tower with two or three propeller-like blades at the top. These blades are turned by the wind. The blades turn a generator (located inside the tower), which creates electricity.

Groups of wind turbines are known as wind farms . Wind farms can be found near farmland, in narrow mountain passes, and even in the ocean, where there are steadier and stronger winds. Wind turbines anchored in the ocean are called “ offshore wind farms.”

Wind farms create electricity for nearby homes, schools, and other buildings.

Advantages and Disadvantages Wind energy can be very efficient . In places like the Midwest in the United States and along coasts, steady winds can provide cheap, reliable electricity.

Another great advantage of wind power is that it is a “clean” form of energy. Wind turbines do not burn fuel or emit any pollutants into the air.

Wind is not always a steady source of energy, however. Wind speed changes constantly, depending on the time of day, weather , and geographic location. Currently, it cannot be used to provide electricity for all our power needs.

Wind turbines can also be dangerous for bats and birds. These animals cannot always judge how fast the blades are moving and crash into them.

Geothermal Energy

Deep beneath the surface is Earth’s core . The center of Earth is extremely hot—thought to be over 6,000 °C (about 10,800 °F). The heat is constantly moving toward the surface.

We can see some of Earth’s heat when it bubbles to the surface. Geothermal energy can melt underground rocks into magma and cause the magma to bubble to the surface as lava . Geothermal energy can also heat underground sources of water and force it to spew out from the surface. This stream of water is called a geyser.

However, most of Earth’s heat stays underground and makes its way out very, very slowly.

We can access underground geothermal heat in different ways. One way of using geothermal energy is with “geothermal heat pumps.” A pipe of water loops between a building and holes dug deep underground. The water is warmed by the geothermal energy underground and brings the warmth aboveground to the building. Geothermal heat pumps can be used to heat houses, sidewalks, and even parking lots.

Another way to use geothermal energy is with steam. In some areas of the world, there is underground steam that naturally rises to the surface. The steam can be piped straight to a power plant. However, in other parts of the world, the ground is dry. Water must be injected underground to create steam. When the steam comes to the surface, it is used to turn a generator and create electricity.

In Iceland, there are large reservoirs of underground water. Almost 90 percent of people in Iceland use geothermal as an energy source to heat their homes and businesses.

Advantages and Disadvantages An advantage of geothermal energy is that it is clean. It does not require any fuel or emit any harmful pollutants into the air.

Geothermal energy is only avaiable in certain parts of the world. Another disadvantage of using geothermal energy is that in areas of the world where there is only dry heat underground, large quantities of freshwater are used to make steam. There may not be a lot of freshwater. People need water for drinking, cooking, and bathing.

Biomass Energy

Biomass is any material that comes from plants or microorganisms that were recently living. Plants create energy from the sun through photosynthesis . This energy is stored in the plants even after they die.

Trees, branches, scraps of bark, and recycled paper are common sources of biomass energy. Manure, garbage, and crops , such as corn, soy, and sugar cane, can also be used as biomass feedstocks .

We get energy from biomass by burning it. Wood chips, manure, and garbage are dried out and compressed into squares called “briquettes.” These briquettes are so dry that they do not absorb water. They can be stored and burned to create heat or generate electricity.

Biomass can also be converted into biofuel . Biofuels are mixed with regular gasoline and can be used to power cars and trucks. Biofuels release less harmful pollutants than pure gasoline.

Advantages and Disadvantages A major advantage of biomass is that it can be stored and then used when it is needed.

Growing crops for biofuels, however, requires large amounts of land and pesticides . Land could be used for food instead of biofuels. Some pesticides could pollute the air and water.

Biomass energy can also be a nonrenewable energy source. Biomass energy relies on biomass feedstocks—plants that are processed and burned to create electricity. Biomass feedstocks can include crops, such as corn or soy, as well as wood. If people do not replant biomass feedstocks as fast as they use them, biomass energy becomes a non-renewable energy source.

Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric energy is made by flowing water. Most hydroelectric power plants are located on large dams , which control the flow of a river.

Dams block the river and create an artificial lake, or reservoir. A controlled amount of water is forced through tunnels in the dam. As water flows through the tunnels, it turns huge turbines and generates electricity.

Advantages and Disadvantages Hydroelectric energy is fairly inexpensive to harness. Dams do not need to be complex, and the resources to build them are not difficult to obtain. Rivers flow all over the world, so the energy source is available to millions of people.

Hydroelectric energy is also fairly reliable. Engineers control the flow of water through the dam, so the flow does not depend on the weather (the way solar and wind energies do).

However, hydroelectric power plants are damaging to the environment. When a river is dammed, it creates a large lake behind the dam. This lake (sometimes called a reservoir) drowns the original river habitat deep underwater. Sometimes, people build dams that can drown entire towns underwater. The people who live in the town or village must move to a new area.

Hydroelectric power plants don’t work for a very long time: Some can only supply power for 20 or 30 years. Silt , or dirt from a riverbed, builds up behind the dam and slows the flow of water.

Other Renewable Energy Sources

Scientists and engineers are constantly working to harness other renewable energy sources. Three of the most promising are tidal energy , wave energy , and algal (or algae) fuel.

Tidal energy harnesses the power of ocean tides to generate electricity. Some tidal energy projects use the moving tides to turn the blades of a turbine. Other projects use small dams to continually fill reservoirs at high tide and slowly release the water (and turn turbines) at low tide.

Wave energy harnesses waves from the ocean, lakes, or rivers. Some wave energy projects use the same equipment that tidal energy projects do—dams and standing turbines. Other wave energy projects float directly on waves. The water’s constant movement over and through these floating pieces of equipment turns turbines and creates electricity.

Algal fuel is a type of biomass energy that uses the unique chemicals in seaweed to create a clean and renewable biofuel. Algal fuel does not need the acres of cropland that other biofuel feedstocks do.

Renewable Nations

These nations (or groups of nations) produce the most energy using renewable resources. Many of them are also the leading producers of nonrenewable energy: China, European Union, United States, Brazil, and Canada

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The Future of Sustainable Energy

26 June, 2021

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Building a sustainable energy future calls for leaps forward in both technology and policy leadership. State governments, major corporations and nations around the world have pledged to address the worsening climate crisis by transitioning to 100% renewable energy over the next few decades. Turning those statements of intention into a reality means undertaking unprecedented efforts and collaboration between disciplines ranging from environmental science to economics.

There are highly promising opportunities for green initiatives that could deliver a better future. However, making a lasting difference will require both new technology and experts who can help governments and organizations transition to more sustainable practices. These leaders will be needed to source renewables efficiently and create environmentally friendly policies, as well as educate consumers and policymakers. To maximize their impact, they must make decisions informed by the most advanced research in clean energy technology, economics, and finance.

Current Trends in Sustainability

The imperative to adopt renewable power solutions on a worldwide scale continues to grow even more urgent as the global average surface temperature hits historic highs and amplifies the danger from extreme weather events . In many regions, the average temperature has already increased by 1.5 degrees , and experts predict that additional warming could drive further heatwaves, droughts, severe hurricanes, wildfires, sea level rises, and even mass extinctions.

In addition, physicians warn that failure to respond to this dire situation could unleash novel diseases : Dr. Rexford Ahima and Dr. Arturo Casadevall of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine contributed to an article in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that explained how climate change could affect the human body’s ability to regulate its own temperature while bringing about infectious microbes that adapt to the warmer conditions.

World leaders have accepted that greenhouse gas emissions are a serious problem that must be addressed. Since the Paris Agreement was first adopted in December 2015, 197 nations have signed on to its framework for combating climate change and preventing the global temperature increase from reaching 2 degrees Celsius over preindustrial levels.

Corporate giants made their own commitments to become carbon neutral by funding offsets to reduce greenhouse gases and gradually transitioning into using 100% renewable energy. Google declared its operations carbon neutral in 2017 and has promised that all data centers and campuses will be carbon-free by 2030. Facebook stated that it would eliminate its carbon footprint in 2020 and expand that commitment to all the organization’s suppliers within 10 years. Amazon ordered 100,000 electric delivery vehicles and has promised that its sprawling logistics operations will arrive at net-zero emissions by 2040.

Despite these promising developments, many experts say that nations and businesses are still not changing fast enough. While carbon neutrality pledges are a step in the right direction, they don’t mean that organizations have actually stopped using fossil fuels . And despite the intentions expressed by Paris Agreement signatories, total annual carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high of 33.5 gigatons in 2018, led by China, the U.S., and India.

“The problem is that what we need to achieve is so daunting and taxes our resources so much that we end up with a situation that’s much, much worse than if we had focused our efforts,” Ferraro said.

Recent Breakthroughs in Renewable Power

An environmentally sustainable infrastructure requires innovations in transportation, industry, and utilities. Fortunately, researchers in the private and public sectors are laying the groundwork for an energy transformation that could make the renewable energy of the future more widely accessible and efficient.

Some of the most promising areas that have seen major developments in recent years include:

Driving Electric Vehicles Forward

The technical capabilities of electric cars are taking great strides, and the popularity of these vehicles is also growing among consumers. At Tesla’s September 22, 2020 Battery Day event, Elon Musk announced the company’s plans for new batteries that can be manufactured at a lower cost while offering greater range and increased power output .

The electric car market has seen continuing expansion in Europe even during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks in large part to generous government subsidies. Market experts once predicted that it would take until 2025 for electric car prices to reach parity with gasoline-powered vehicles. However, growing sales and new battery technology could greatly speed up that timetable .

Cost-Effective Storage For Renewable Power

One of the biggest hurdles in the way of embracing 100% renewable energy has been the need to adjust supply based on demand. Utilities providers need efficient, cost-effective ways of storing solar and wind power so that electricity is available regardless of weather conditions. Most electricity storage currently takes place in pumped-storage hydropower plants, but these facilities require multiple reservoirs at different elevations.

Pumped thermal electricity storage is an inexpensive solution to get around both the geographic limitations of hydropower and high costs of batteries. This approach, which is currently being tested , uses a pump to convert electricity into heat so it can be stored in a material like gravel, water, or molten salts and kept in an insulated tank. A heat engine converts the heat back into electricity as necessary to meet demand.

Unlocking the Potential of Microgrids

Microgrids are another area of research that could prove invaluable to the future of power. These systems can operate autonomously from a traditional electrical grid, delivering electricity to homes and business even when there’s an outage. By using this approach with power sources like solar, wind, or biomass, microgrids can make renewable energy transmission more efficient.

Researchers in public policy and engineering are exploring how microgrids could serve to bring clean electricity to remote, rural areas . One early effort in the Netherlands found that communities could become 90% energy self-sufficient , and solar-powered microgrids have now also been employed in Indian villages. This technology has enormous potential to change the way we access electricity, but lowering costs is an essential step to bring about wider adoption and encourage residents to use the power for purposes beyond basic lighting and cooling.

Advancing the Future of Sustainable Energy

There’s still monumental work to be done in developing the next generation of renewable energy solutions as well as the policy framework to eliminate greenhouse gases from our atmosphere. An analysis from the International Energy Agency found that the technologies currently on the market can only get the world halfway to the reductions needed for net-zero emissions by 2050.

To make it the rest of the way, researchers and policymakers must still explore possibilities such as:

• Devise and implement large-scale carbon capture systems that store and use carbon dioxide without polluting the atmosphere
• Establish low-carbon electricity as the primary power source for everyday applications like powering vehicles and heat in buildings
• Grow the use of bioenergy harnessed from plants and algae for electricity, heat, transportation, and manufacturing
• Implement zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells as a way to power transportation and utilities

However, even revolutionary technology will not do the job alone. Ambitious goals for renewable energy solutions and long-term cuts in emissions also demand enhanced international cooperation, especially among the biggest polluters. That’s why Jonas Nahm of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies has focused much of his research on China’s sustainable energy efforts. He has also argued that the international community should recognize China’s pivotal role in any long-term plans for fighting climate change.

As both the leading emitter of carbon dioxide and the No. 1 producer of wind and solar energy, China is uniquely positioned to determine the future of sustainability initiatives. According to Nahm, the key to making collaboration with China work is understanding the complexities of the Chinese political and economic dynamics. Because of conflicting interests on the national and local levels, the world’s most populous nation continues to power its industries with coal even while President Xi Jinping advocates for fully embracing green alternatives.

China’s fraught position demonstrates that economics and diplomacy could prove to be just as important as technical ingenuity in creating a better future. International cooperation must guide a wide-ranging economic transformation that involves countries and organizations increasing their capacity for producing and storing renewable energy.

It will take strategic thinking and massive investment to realize a vision of a world where utilities produce 100% renewable power while rows of fully electric cars travel on smart highways. To meet the challenge of our generation, it’s more crucial than ever to develop leaders who understand how to apply the latest research to inform policy and who can take charge of globe-spanning sustainable energy initiatives .

About the MA in Sustainable Energy (online) Program at Johns Hopkins SAIS

Created by Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies faculty with input from industry experts and employers, the Master of Arts in Sustainable Energy (online) program is tailored for the demands of a rapidly evolving sector. As a top-11 global university, Johns Hopkins is uniquely positioned to equip graduates with the skills they need to confront global challenges in the transition to renewable energy.

The MA in Sustainable Energy curriculum is designed to build expertise in finance, economics, and policy. Courses from our faculty of highly experienced researchers and practitioners prepare graduates to excel in professional environments including government agencies, utility companies, energy trade organizations, global energy governance organizations, and more. Students in the Johns Hopkins SAIS benefit from industry connections, an engaged network of more than 230,000 alumni, and high-touch career services.

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• ENVIRONMENT

Renewable energy, explained

Solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal power can provide energy without the planet-warming effects of fossil fuels.

In any discussion about climate change , renewable energy usually tops the list of changes the world can implement to stave off the worst effects of rising temperatures. That's because renewable energy sources such as solar and wind don't emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming .

Clean energy has far more to recommend it than just being "green." The growing sector creates jobs , makes electric grids more resilient, expands energy access in developing countries, and helps lower energy bills. All of those factors have contributed to a renewable energy renaissance in recent years, with wind and solar setting new records for electricity generation .

For the past 150 years or so, humans have relied heavily on coal, oil, and other fossil fuels to power everything from light bulbs to cars to factories. Fossil fuels are embedded in nearly everything we do, and as a result, the greenhouse gases released from the burning of those fuels have reached historically high levels .

As greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere that would otherwise escape into space, average temperatures on the surface are rising . Global warming is one symptom of climate change, the term scientists now prefer to describe the complex shifts affecting our planet’s weather and climate systems. Climate change encompasses not only rising average temperatures but also extreme weather events, shifting wildlife populations and habitats, rising seas , and a range of other impacts .

Of course, renewables—like any source of energy—have their own trade-offs and associated debates. One of them centers on the definition of renewable energy. Strictly speaking, renewable energy is just what you might think: perpetually available, or as the U.S. Energy Information Administration puts it, " virtually inexhaustible ." But "renewable" doesn't necessarily mean sustainable, as opponents of corn-based ethanol or large hydropower dams often argue. It also doesn't encompass other low- or zero-emissions resources that have their own advocates, including energy efficiency and nuclear power.

Types of renewable energy sources

Hydropower: For centuries, people have harnessed the energy of river currents, using dams to control water flow. Hydropower is the world's biggest source of renewable energy by far, with China, Brazil, Canada, the U.S., and Russia the leading hydropower producers . While hydropower is theoretically a clean energy source replenished by rain and snow, it also has several drawbacks.

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Large dams can disrupt river ecosystems and surrounding communities , harming wildlife and displacing residents. Hydropower generation is vulnerable to silt buildup, which can compromise capacity and harm equipment. Drought can also cause problems. In the western U.S., carbon dioxide emissions over a 15-year period were 100 megatons higher than they normally would have been, according to a 2018 study , as utilities turned to coal and gas to replace hydropower lost to drought. Even hydropower at full capacity bears its own emissions problems, as decaying organic material in reservoirs releases methane.

Dams aren't the only way to use water for power: Tidal and wave energy projects around the world aim to capture the ocean's natural rhythms. Marine energy projects currently generate an estimated 500 megawatts of power —less than one percent of all renewables—but the potential is far greater. Programs like Scotland’s Saltire Prize have encouraged innovation in this area.

Wind: Harnessing the wind as a source of energy started more than 7,000 years ago . Now, electricity-generating wind turbines are proliferating around the globe, and China, the U.S., and Germany are the leading wind energy producers. From 2001 to 2017 , cumulative wind capacity around the world increased to more than 539,000 megawatts from 23,900 mw—more than 22 fold.

Some people may object to how wind turbines look on the horizon and to how they sound, but wind energy, whose prices are declining , is proving too valuable a resource to deny. While most wind power comes from onshore turbines, offshore projects are appearing too, with the most in the U.K. and Germany. The first U.S. offshore wind farm opened in 2016 in Rhode Island, and other offshore projects are gaining momentum . Another problem with wind turbines is that they’re a danger for birds and bats, killing hundreds of thousands annually , not as many as from glass collisions and other threats like habitat loss and invasive species, but enough that engineers are working on solutions to make them safer for flying wildlife.

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Solar: From home rooftops to utility-scale farms, solar power is reshaping energy markets around the world. In the decade from 2007 and 2017 the world's total installed energy capacity from photovoltaic panels increased a whopping 4,300 percent .

In addition to solar panels, which convert the sun's light to electricity, concentrating solar power (CSP) plants use mirrors to concentrate the sun's heat, deriving thermal energy instead. China, Japan, and the U.S. are leading the solar transformation, but solar still has a long way to go, accounting for around two percent of the total electricity generated in the U.S. in 2017. Solar thermal energy is also being used worldwide for hot water, heating, and cooling.

Biomass: Biomass energy includes biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel , wood and wood waste, biogas from landfills, and municipal solid waste. Like solar power, biomass is a flexible energy source, able to fuel vehicles, heat buildings, and produce electricity. But biomass can raise thorny issues.

Critics of corn-based ethanol , for example, say it competes with the food market for corn and supports the same harmful agricultural practices that have led to toxic algae blooms and other environmental hazards. Similarly, debates have erupted over whether it's a good idea to ship wood pellets from U.S. forests over to Europe so that it can be burned for electricity. Meanwhile, scientists and companies are working on ways to more efficiently convert corn stover , wastewater sludge , and other biomass sources into energy, aiming to extract value from material that would otherwise go to waste.

Geothermal: Used for thousands of years in some countries for cooking and heating, geothermal energy is derived from the Earth’s internal heat . On a large scale, underground reservoirs of steam and hot water can be tapped through wells that can go a mile deep or more to generate electricity. On a smaller scale, some buildings have geothermal heat pumps that use temperature differences several feet below ground for heating and cooling. Unlike solar and wind energy, geothermal energy is always available, but it has side effects that need to be managed, such as the rotten egg smell that can accompany released hydrogen sulfide.

Ways to boost renewable energy

Cities, states, and federal governments around the world are instituting policies aimed at increasing renewable energy. At least 29 U.S. states have set renewable portfolio standards —policies that mandate a certain percentage of energy from renewable sources, More than 100 cities worldwide now boast at least 70 percent renewable energy, and still others are making commitments to reach 100 percent . Other policies that could encourage renewable energy growth include carbon pricing, fuel economy standards, and building efficiency standards. Corporations are making a difference too, purchasing record amounts of renewable power in 2018.

Wonder whether your state could ever be powered by 100 percent renewables? No matter where you live, scientist Mark Jacobson believes it's possible. That vision is laid out here , and while his analysis is not without critics , it punctuates a reality with which the world must now reckon. Even without climate change, fossil fuels are a finite resource, and if we want our lease on the planet to be renewed, our energy will have to be renewable.

Related Topics

• SUSTAINABILITY
• RENEWABLE ENERGY
• GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
• SOLAR POWER
• HYDROELECTRIC POWER
• CLIMATE CHANGE

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The race to develop renewable energy technologies

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In the early 20th century, just as electric grids were starting to transform daily life, an unlikely advocate for renewable energy voiced his concerns about burning fossil fuels. Thomas Edison expressed dismay over using combustion instead of renewable resources in a 1910 interview for Elbert Hubbard’s anthology, “Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great.”

“This scheme of combustion to get power makes me sick to think of — it is so wasteful,” Edison said. “You see, we should utilize natural forces and thus get all of our power. Sunshine is a form of energy, and the winds and the tides are manifestations of energy. Do we use them? Oh, no! We burn up wood and coal, as renters burn up the front fence for fuel.”

Over a century later, roughly 80 percent of global energy consumption still comes from burning fossil fuels. As the impact of climate change on the environment becomes increasingly drastic, there is a mounting sense of urgency for researchers and engineers to develop scalable renewable energy solutions.

“Even 100 years ago, Edison understood that we cannot replace combustion with a single alternative,” adds Reshma Rao PhD '19, a postdoc in MIT’s Electrochemical Energy Lab who included Edison’s quote in her doctoral thesis. “We must look to different solutions that might vary temporally and geographically depending on resource availability.”

Rao is one of many researchers across MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering who have entered the race to develop energy conversion and storage technologies from renewable sources such as wind, wave, solar, and thermal.

Harnessing energy from waves

When it comes to renewable energy, waves have other resources beat in two respects. First, unlike solar, waves offer a consistent energy source regardless of time of day. Second, waves provide much greater energy density than wind due to water’s heavier mass.

Despite these advantages, wave-energy harvesting is still in its infancy. Unlike wind and solar, there is no consensus in the field of wave hydrodynamics on how to efficiently capture and convert wave energy. Dick K.P. Yue, Philip J. Solondz Professor of Engineering, is hoping to change that.

“My group has been looking at new paradigms,” explains Yue. “Rather than tinkering with small improvements, we want to develop a new way of thinking about the wave-energy problem.”

One aspect of that paradigm is determining the optimal geometry of wave-energy converters (WECs). Graduate student Emma Edwards has been developing a systematic methodology to determine what kind of shape WECs should be.

“If we can optimize the shape of WECs for maximizing extractable power, wave energy could move significantly closer to becoming an economically viable source of renewable energy,” says Edwards. 

Another aspect of the wave-energy paradigm Yue’s team is working on is finding the optimal configuration for WECs in the water. Grgur Tokić PhD '16, an MIT alum and current postdoc working in Yue’s group, is building a case for optimal configurations of WECs in large arrays, rather than as stand-alone devices.

Before being placed in the water, WECs are tuned for their particular environment. This tuning involves considerations like predicted wave frequency and prevailing wind direction. According to Tokić and Yue, if WECs are configured in an array, this tuning could occur in real time, maximizing energy-harvesting potential.

In an array, “sentry” WECs could gather measurements about waves such as amplitude, frequency, and direction. Using wave reconstructing and forecasting, these WECs could then communicate information about conditions to other WECs in the array wirelessly, enabling them to tune minute-by-minute in response to current wave conditions.

“If an array of WECs can tune fast enough so they are optimally configured for their current environment, now we are talking serious business,” explains Yue. “Moving toward arrays opens up the possibilities of significant advances and gains many-times-over non-interacting, isolated devices.”

By examining the optimal size and configuration of WECs using theoretical and computational methods, Yue’s group hopes to develop potentially game-changing frameworks for harnessing the power of waves.

Accelerating the discovery of photovoltaics

The amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth’s surface offers a tantalizing prospect in the quest for renewable energy. Every hour, an estimated 430 quintillion joules of energy is delivered to Earth from the sun. That’s the equivalent of one year’s worth of global energy consumption by humans.

Tonio Buonassisi, professor of mechanical engineering, has dedicated his entire career to developing technologies that harness this energy and convert it into usable electricity. But time, he says, is of the essence. “When you consider what we are up against in terms of climate change, it becomes increasingly clear we are running out of time,” he says.

For solar energy to have a meaningful impact, according to Buonassisi, researchers need to develop solar cell materials that are efficient, scalable, cost-effective, and reliable. These four variables pose a challenge for engineers — rather than develop a material that satisfies just one of these factors, they need to create one that ticks off all four boxes and can be moved to market as quickly as possible. “If it takes us 75 years to get a solar cell that does all of these things to market, it’s not going to help us solve this problem. We need to get it to market in the next five years,” Buonassisi adds.

To accelerate the discovery and testing of new materials, Buonassisi’s team has developed a process that uses a combination of machine learning and high-throughput experimentation — a type of experimentation that enables a large quantity of materials to be screened at the same time. The result is a 10-fold increase in the speed of discovery and analysis for new solar cell materials.

“Machine learning is our navigational tool,” explains Buonassisi. “It can de-bottleneck the cycle of learning so we can grind through material candidates and find one that satisfies all four variables.”

Shijing Sun, a research scientist in Buonassisi’s group, used a combination of machine learning and high-throughput experiments to quickly assess and test perovskite solar cells.

“We use machine learning to accelerate the materials discovery, and developed an algorithm that directs us to the next sampling point and guides our next experiment,” Sun says. Previously, it would take three to five hours to classify a set of solar cell materials. The machine learning algorithm can classify materials in just five minutes.

Using this method, Sun and Buonassisi made 96 tested compositions. Of those, two perovskite materials hold promise and will be tested further.

By using machine learning as a tool for inverse design, the research team hopes to assess thousands of compounds that could lead to the development of a material that enables the large-scale adoption of solar energy conversion. “If in the next five years we can develop that material using the set of productivity tools we’ve developed, it can help us secure the best possible future that we can,” adds Buonassisi.

New materials to trap heat

While Buonassisi’s team is focused on developing solutions that directly convert solar energy into electricity, researchers including Gang Chen, Carl Richard Soderberg Professor of Power Engineering, are working on technologies that convert sunlight into heat. Thermal energy from the heat is then used to provide electricity.

“For the past 20 years, I’ve been working on materials that convert heat into electricity,” says Chen. While much of this materials research is on the nanoscale, Chen and his team at the NanoEngineering Group are no strangers to large-scale experimental systems. They previously built a to-scale receiver system that used concentrating solar thermal power (CSP).

In CSP, sunlight is used to heat up a thermal fluid, such as oil or molten salt. That fluid is then either used to generate electricity by running an engine, such as a steam turbine, or stored for later use.

Over the course of a four-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Chen’s team built a CSP receiver at MIT’s Bates Research and Engineering Center in Middleton, Massachusetts. They developed the Solar Thermal Aerogel Receiver — nicknamed STAR.

The system relied on mirrors known as Fresnel reflectors to direct sunlight to pipes containing thermal fluid. Typically, for fluid to effectively trap the heat generated by this reflected sunlight, it would need to be encased in a high-cost vacuum tube. In STAR, however, Chen’s team utilized a transparent aerogel that can trap heat at incredibly high temperatures — removing the need for expensive vacuum enclosures. While letting in over 95 percent of the incoming sunlight, the aerogel retains its insulating properties, preventing heat from escaping the receiver.

In addition to being more efficient than traditional vacuum receivers, the aerogel receivers enabled new configurations for the CSP solar reflectors. The reflecting mirrors were flatter and more compact than conventionally used parabolic receivers, resulting in a savings of material. 

“Cost is everything with energy applications, so the fact STAR was cheaper than most thermal energy receivers, in addition to being more efficient, was important,” adds Svetlana Boriskina, a research scientist working on Chen’s team. 

After the conclusion of the project in 2018, Chen's team has continued to explore solar thermal applications for the aerogel material used in STAR. He recently used the aerogel in a device that contained a heat-absorbing material. When placed on a roof on MIT’s campus, the heat-absorbing material, which was covered by a layer of the aerogel, reached an amazingly high temperature of 220 degrees Celsius. The outside air temperature, for comparison, was a chilly 0 C. Unlike STAR, this new system doesn’t require Fresnel reflectors to direct sunlight to the thermal material.

“Our latest work using the aerogel enables sunlight concentration without focusing optics to harness thermal energy,” explains Chen. “If you aren’t using focusing optics, you can develop a system that is easier to use and cheaper than traditional receivers.”

The aerogel device could potentially be further developed into a system that powers heating and cooling systems in homes.

Solving the storage problem

While CSP receivers like STAR offer some energy storage capabilities, there is a push to develop more robust energy storage systems for renewable technologies. Storing energy for later use when resources aren’t supplying a consistent stream of energy — for example, when the sun is covered by clouds, or there is little-to-no wind — will be crucial for the adoption of renewable energy on the grid. To solve this problem, researchers are developing new storage technologies.  

Asegun Henry, Robert N. Noyce Career Development Professor, who like Chen has developed CSP technologies, has created a new storage system that has been dubbed “sun in a box.” Using two tanks, excess energy can be stored in white-hot molten silicon. When this excess energy is needed, mounted photovoltaic cells can be actuated into place to convert the white-hot light from the silicon back into electricity.

“It’s a true battery that can work with any type of energy conversion,” adds Henry.

Betar Gallant, ABS Career Development Professor, meanwhile, is exploring ways to improve the energy density of today’s electrochemical batteries by designing new storage materials that are more cost-effective and versatile for storing cleanly generated energy. Rather than develop these materials using metals that are extracted through energy-intensive mining, she aims to build batteries using more earth-abundant materials.

“Ideally, we want to create a battery that can match the irregular supply of solar or wind energy that peak at different times without degrading, as today’s batteries do” explains Gallant.

In addition to working on lithium-ion batteries, like Gallant, Yang Shao-Horn, W.M. Keck Professor of Energy, and postdoc Reshma Rao are developing technologies that can directly convert renewable energy to fuels.

“If we want to store energy at scale going beyond lithium ion batteries, we need to use resources that are abundant,” Rao explains. In their electrochemical technology, Rao and Shao-Horn utilize one of the most abundant resources — liquid water.

Using an active catalyst and electrodes, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen in a series of chemical reactions. The hydrogen becomes an energy carrier and can be stored for later use in a fuel cell. To convert the energy stored in the hydrogen back into electricity, the reactions are reversed. The only by-product of this reaction is water.  

“If we can get and store hydrogen sustainably, we can basically electrify our economy using renewables like wind, wave, or solar,” says Rao.

Rao has broken down every fundamental reaction that takes place within this process. In addition to focusing on the electrode-electrolyte interface involved, she is developing next-generation catalysts to drive these reactions.  

“This work is at the frontier of the fundamental understanding of active sites catalyzing water splitting for hydrogen-based fuels from solar and wind to decarbonize transport and industry,” adds Shao-Horn.

Securing a sustainable future

While shifting from a grid powered primarily by fossil fuels to a grid powered by renewable energy seems like a herculean task, there have been promising developments in the past decade. A report released prior to the UN Global Climate Action Summit in September showed that, thanks to $2.6 trillion of investment, renewable energy conversion has quadrupled since 2010.

In a statement after the release of the report, Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Program, stressed the correlation between investing in renewable energy and securing a sustainable future for humankind. “It is clear that we need to rapidly step up the pace of the global switch to renewables if we are to meet international climate and development goals,” Andersen said.

No single conversion or storage technology will be responsible for the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. It will require a tapestry of complementary solutions from researchers both here at MIT and across the globe.

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• Department of Mechanical Engineering

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• Renewable Energy

What Is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy comes from unlimited, naturally replenished resources, such as the sun, tides, and wind. Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, space and water heating and cooling, and transportation.

Non-renewable energy, in contrast, comes from finite sources, such as coal, natural gas, and oil.

How Does Renewable Energy Work?

Renewable energy sources, such as biomass, the heat in the earth’s crust, sunlight, water, and wind, are natural resources that can be converted into several types of clean, usable energy:

Bioenergy Geothermal Energy Hydrogen and Other Renewable Fuels Hydropower Marine Energy Solar Energy Wind Energy

Learn the truth about clean energy.

Benefits of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy offers numerous economic, environmental, and social advantages. These include:

• Reduced carbon emissions and air pollution from energy production
• Enhanced reliability , security, and resilience of the power grid
• Job creation through the increased production and manufacturing of renewable energy technologies
• Increased U.S. energy independence
• Lower energy costs
• Expanded energy access for remote, coastal, or isolated communities.

Learn more about the advantages of wind energy , solar energy , bioenergy , geothermal energy , hydropower , and marine energy , and how the U.S. Department of Energy is working to modernize the power grid and increase renewable energy production.

Renewable Energy in the United States

Renewable energy generates over 20% of all U.S. electricity , and that percentage continues to grow. The following graphic breaks down the shares of total electricity production in 2022 among the types of renewable power: 

In 2022, annual U.S. renewable energy generation surpassed coal for the first time in history. By 2025, domestic solar energy generation is expected to increase by 75%, and wind by 11%. 

The United States is a resource-rich country with enough renewable energy resources to generate more than 100 times the amount of electricity Americans use each year.  Learn more about renewable energy potential in the United States.

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The U.S. Department of Energy's 17 national laboratories conduct research and help bring renewable energy technologies to market. 

Renewable Energy at Home

Homeowners and renters can use clean energy at home by buying green power, installing renewable energy systems to generate electricity, or using renewable resources for water and space heating and cooling.

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Renewable Energy Engineering MSc

This course is designed for students who are interested in supporting the renewable energy industry, as it continues its rapid growth to tackle the severe issues posed by climate change and to respond to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Year of entry

  Coventry University (Coventry)

Full-time Part-time Sandwich

1 year full-time 2 years part-time 2 years sandwich

Course code

September 2025 January 2026

At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by January 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.

Course overview

You will have the opportunity to advance your engineering proficiency and develop new skills and knowledge.

• Through the exploration of current and emerging technologies and applications for renewable energy, successful completion of this course should prepare you to make significant contributions to your profession, the economy, and society.
• You will have the option to apply for a ‘work placement’ opportunity 2 , designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. See modules for more information.

Rated Gold Overall

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

Why you should study this course.

This course aims to address the need for skilled energy engineers. You will have the opportunity to develop a systematic understanding of knowledge, analytical techniques and research skills related to an MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering.

• Embedded in the course is a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Global Professional Development Entrepreneurial Practice module which aims to provide you with essential business management experience and transferable skills.
• Coventry University has a strong portfolio of industry-related research, which currently includes the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) in collaboration with Unipart Manufacturing Group and The Institute for Future Transport and Cities.
• We aim to provide several field trips to UK sites 2 . Previous students have undertaken trips to waste and energy plants, wind farms, a battery manufacturing centre and hydropower plant.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited 1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) up to and including the 2025 intakes under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Students completing an IMechE accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry.

The accredited MSc will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.

It should be noted that graduates from an accredited MSc programme, that do not also have an appropriately accredited Honour’s degree, will not be regarded as having the exemplifying qualifications for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council; and will need to have their qualifications individually assessed through the Individual Case Procedure if they wish to progress to CEng.

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules and is regularly reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems. Whilst Coventry University anticipates that these reviews will continue to be successful, if they were to be unsuccessful, the relevant module in this course would no longer be accredited and we would notify applicants and students of this change as soon as possible.

IMechE Membership Partner

We are a Membership Partner with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

Working in collaboration with the IMechE we aim to ensure our engineers and technical teams meet industry-recognised standards of engineering excellence.

We are committed to the professional development of everyone within our organisation and recognise that professional registration and recognition are crucial in helping our employees and business grow and excel.

What you'll study

This course will provide you with opportunities to develop and critically analyse technologies and applications for renewable heat, power, and transportation.

You will have the chance to learn how to apply your engineering knowledge to address the requirement for cost-effective carbon reduction solutions and appraise the global socio-economic challenges associated with renewable energy.

This course includes a mandatory Entrepreneurial Practice Professional Development module developed in collaboration with the Chartered Management Institute .

This module aims to develop an understanding of a systematic approach to the design process, design management, and creative problem solving, leading to developing an artifact ready for manufacture. Design as a process will be applied via a series of principles to assist the progression of the project to reach a suitable solution and evaluate that against the initial brief.

The aim of this module is for you to apply thermofluids science in the design of different systems. The emissions from combustion systems are identified by applying the chemical kinetics and equilibrium approaches. Pressure and heat losses in different components will be evaluated for different thermal and fluid flow systems such as gas turbines, fuel injection, cooling systems and renewable energy application.

This module is designed to provide you with the ability to develop and implement business models/strategies within the appropriate frameworks to comply with future requirements for sustainability. Aspects of sustainability (economic, social, environment) sustainable operations and sustainability challenges will be studied.

The aim of this module is to give you an overview of different power-train layouts and vehicle propulsion systems which use alternative energy sources. The economic feasibility of alternative propulsion systems will be considered in relation to a set of typical drive cycles.

The aim of this module is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of solar energy as a renewable resource and the design, manufacture and application of the latest solar energy conversion technologies. You will critically evaluate low and high-temperature solar thermal, energy storage and photovoltaic solar cell systems.

The aim of this module is to give you the ability to access potential bioenergy resources and examine thermochemical and biochemical conversion methods. The use of biomass as a resource for renewable transport, heat and power will be investigated, and the design, manufacture and operation of small- and large-scale systems will be considered.

The aim of this module is to enable you to design and evaluate wind and hydropower systems. You will assess wind and hydropower systems as a source of renewable energy, and determine their performance characteristics and social, financial and environmental impacts.

This module aims to provide you with a framework of knowledge and understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people in a strategic and entrepreneurial way. You will explore for example, the influence and impact of leadership theories, culture, wellbeing, the principles of entrepreneurial practice and understand the different contexts in which entrepreneurship can flourish as well as the characteristics of entrepreneurial leadership within different types of organisational scenarios.

The individual project provides an opportunity for you to apply theories and techniques from your taught modules. It may focus on one particular area of study or involve a combination of subjects.

With work placement pathway

The ‘With work placement’ opportunity 2 enables you to apply in semester 1 for an optional work placement of up to 12 months, extending the duration of your master’s to 24 months. The placement provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability upon graduation. The work placement would take place in semesters 3, 4 and 5.

Please note that the optional placement modules incur an additional tuition fee of £4,000. Placement opportunities may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Work placements are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our  Talent Team  in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Please note that the optional placement modules incur an additional fee of £4,000. Find out more about the  work placement option .

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching will be supported by academics who are researchers in the areas of alternative transportation and solar, wind, hydro and bio energy. Please note that staff are subject to change. Teaching activities are designed to align with several of the university's research centres, including the Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems and the Centre for Future Transport and Cities .

You will study two taught semesters and one project semester over the course of the year. For taught semesters, in a typical week your contact hours will be divided amongst personal tutorials, medium group teaching in tutorial sessions, labs and workshops activities as well as large group teaching in lectures.

The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the taught semesters. You will also be expected to undertake significant self-directed study approximately 35 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules. Your project-based semester will be supervisor supported, self-directed study in the region of 45 hours per week as well as supervisor meetings around one hour per week and optional workshops supporting your project which can add up to 10 additional hours across your project semester.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

This course can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please  request information  about studying this course part-time.

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include formal examinations, coursework, tests, essays, practical or project work, group work and presentations.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.

International experience opportunities

The university is committed to providing a global educational experience 2 , which is reflected throughout the teaching experience. The course has previously recruited diverse international graduates and promotes multicultural experiences.

Extended supply chains and energy security in the context of sustainability and energy management will be considered throughout the course. Case studies for both developing and developed countries will be an area of focus, with teaching activities supported by international research projects. Group work and guest lectures (subject to availability) from visiting international academics will be used to provide you with the opportunity to develop intercultural skills and experience.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

• International

To commence the full-time MSc Renewable Energy Engineering course, applicants must:

• Be an honours graduate of any physical science, mathematics or engineering discipline (minimum 2:2 or higher)

Students who do not fit with the above entry requirements may gain entry, but their degrees and experience will be assessed for appropriate content by the course director. Each application will be considered on its merits and the final decision will be made by the course director. 

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Chat with us

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Middle East

South East Asia

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international pre-master's . Upon successful completion our International Pre-Master's - Engineering will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Some international students may require an ATAS certificate to study this course. For further information see our ATAS Certificates web page .

English language requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

For advice and guidance on tuition fees 3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

• Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
• Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement . If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan .

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education . The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided  fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities 4 :

Faculty on the factory floor

AME brings together academia, industry, and research and development in a ‘live’ manufacturing environment. Our collaboration with Unipart gives you the opportunity to work with some of the most talented engineering professionals in the UK.  

High Performance Engineering Centre (HPEC)

Situated on the ground floor of our Engineering and Computing Building, the centre houses flight and driving simulators, a chassis design assembly and test facility, wind tunnels and a fleet of CNC manufacturing machines.

Metals Workshop

Participate in technical work in a hands-on way. The workshop includes lathes, milling machines, fabrication equipment for sheet metal work, CNC machines, work benches, welding lines and a fitting assembly area.  

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Select and apply appropriate systematic analysis methods to critically evaluate and solve complex renewable energy engineering problems.
• Analyse different energy resources and conversion processes using analytical modelling, experimental techniques and numerical simulations.
• Critically access the use of renewable energy systems to mitigate climate change and improve the environment and social welfare.
• Make and justify decisions for selecting and optimising renewable energy products and systems based on technical, environmental, economic, risk and social criteria.
• Develop innovative solutions to meet the current global sustainability and renewable energy challenges.

Globally, the total renewable energy capacity has quadrupled in the last ten years. In 2015, $286 billion was invested in renewables and, for the first time, more than half of all added power generation came from renewables. However, significant increases in growth are still needed if global renewable energy targets are to be achieved.

Renewable energy is set to expand even further as  the UK aims to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.  Renewable energy also has a particularly important role to play in providing crucial services in developing countries to tackle poverty and support sustainable economic growth.

Where our graduates work

There are many wide-ranging engineering jobs that have requirements for skills in energy systems and sustainability. Graduates may seek positions with energy technology manufacturers and operators, some may start their own companies, others could become energy consultants, and many could go into more traditional aerospace, mechanical and automotive engineering jobs.

How to apply

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online .

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

  +44 (0)24 7765 2222

  [email protected]

 Chat with our admissions team

 Complete our contact form .

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub .

You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

[email protected]

 Chat with our admissions team .

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

1 Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

2 UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

3 Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

4 Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

You may also like

Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc

Aerospace Engineering MSc

Automotive Engineering MSc

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Do Us Electricity Consumers Value Carbon Capture More than Renewable Energy? Evidence from a Pilot Discrete Choice Experiment

10 Pages Posted: 3 Sep 2024

Bruktawit M. Ahmed

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Mahelet G. Fikru

Utilizing a discrete choice experiment with 250 US electricity consumers, this study estimates willingness to pay for each percentage of carbon dioxide captured and the preferred carbon management technique—permanent storage or industrial utilization. Results based on the alternative specific conditional logit model suggest a willingness to pay of $0.25 and $0.13 for each percent increase in renewable energy and carbon capture, respectively, indicating a lower value preference for carbon capture than cleaner production. This suggests that consumers place nearly twice the value on renewable energy compared to carbon capture. Preliminary results suggest there is a preference for carbon utilization over carbon storage, however, additional studies are needed to examine heterogeneous preferences based on individual characteristics.

Keywords: Carbon capture and storage, carbon capture and utilization, willingness-to-pay, energy transition, decarbonization, Section 45Q

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Missouri University of Science and Technology ( email )

1870 Miner Cir Rolla, MO 65409 United States

Mahelet G. Fikru (Contact Author)

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Econometric Modeling: Microeconometric Models of the Environment eJournal

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What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us.

Fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - on the other hand, are non-renewable resources that take hundreds of millions of years to form. Fossil fuels, when burned to produce energy, cause harmful greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide.

Generating renewable energy creates far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels. Transitioning from fossil fuels, which currently account for the lion’s share of emissions, to renewable energy is key to addressing the climate crisis.

Renewables are now cheaper in most countries, and generate three times more jobs than fossil fuels.

Here are a few common sources of renewable energy:

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can even be harnessed in cloudy weather. The rate at which solar energy is intercepted by the Earth is about 10,000 times greater than the rate at which humankind consumes energy.

Solar technologies can deliver heat, cooling, natural lighting, electricity, and fuels for a host of applications. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation.

Although not all countries are equally endowed with solar energy, a significant contribution to the energy mix from direct solar energy is possible for every country.

The cost of manufacturing solar panels has plummeted dramatically in the last decade, making them not only affordable but often the cheapest form of electricity. Solar panels have a lifespan of roughly 30 years , and come in variety of shades depending on the type of material used in manufacturing.

WIND ENERGY

Wind energy harnesses the kinetic energy of moving air by using large wind turbines located on land (onshore) or in sea- or freshwater (offshore). Wind energy has been used for millennia, but onshore and offshore wind energy technologies have evolved over the last few years to maximize the electricity produced - with taller turbines and larger rotor diameters.

Though average wind speeds vary considerably by location, the world’s technical potential for wind energy exceeds global electricity production, and ample potential exists in most regions of the world to enable significant wind energy deployment.

Many parts of the world have strong wind speeds, but the best locations for generating wind power are sometimes remote ones. Offshore wind power offers t remendous potential .

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Geothermal energy utilizes the accessible thermal energy from the Earth’s interior. Heat is extracted from geothermal reservoirs using wells or other means.

Reservoirs that are naturally sufficiently hot and permeable are called hydrothermal reservoirs, whereas reservoirs that are sufficiently hot but that are improved with hydraulic stimulation are called enhanced geothermal systems.

Once at the surface, fluids of various temperatures can be used to generate electricity. The technology for electricity generation from hydrothermal reservoirs is mature and reliable, and has been operating for more than 100 years .

Hydropower harnesses the energy of water moving from higher to lower elevations. It can be generated from reservoirs and rivers. Reservoir hydropower plants rely on stored water in a reservoir, while run-of-river hydropower plants harness energy from the available flow of the river.

Hydropower reservoirs often have multiple uses - providing drinking water, water for irrigation, flood and drought control, navigation services, as well as energy supply.

Hydropower currently is the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector. It relies on generally stable rainfall patterns, and can be negatively impacted by climate-induced droughts or changes to ecosystems which impact rainfall patterns.

The infrastructure needed to create hydropower can also impact on ecosystems in adverse ways. For this reason, many consider small-scale hydro a more environmentally-friendly option , and especially suitable for communities in remote locations.

OCEAN ENERGY

Ocean energy derives from technologies that use the kinetic and thermal energy of seawater - waves or currents for instance -  to produce electricity or heat.

Ocean energy systems are still at an early stage of development, with a number of prototype wave and tidal current devices being explored. The theoretical potential for ocean energy easily exceeds present human energy requirements.

Bioenergy is produced from a variety of organic materials, called biomass, such as wood, charcoal, dung and other manures for heat and power production, and agricultural crops for liquid biofuels. Most biomass is used in rural areas for cooking, lighting and space heating, generally by poorer populations in developing countries.

Modern biomass systems include dedicated crops or trees, residues from agriculture and forestry, and various organic waste streams.

Energy created by burning biomass creates greenhouse gas emissions, but at lower levels than burning fossil fuels like coal, oil or gas. However, bioenergy should only be used in limited applications, given potential negative environmental impacts related to large-scale increases in forest and bioenergy plantations, and resulting deforestation and land-use change.

For more information on renewable sources of energy, please check out the following websites:

International Renewable Energy Agency | Renewables

International Energy Agency | Renewables

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change | Renewable Sources of Energy

UN Environment Programme | Roadmap to a Carbon-Free Future

Sustainable Energy for All | Renewable Energy

Renewable energy – powering a safer future

What is renewable energy and why does it matter? Learn more about why the shift to renewables is our only hope for a brighter and safer world.

Five ways to jump-start the renewable energy transition now

UN Secretary-General outlines five critical actions the world needs to prioritize now to speed up the global shift to renewable energy.

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Internship Spotlight: Joe Wasserman ’25, D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments

An internship with a developer of renewable energy projects allowed Joe Wasserman ’25 to combine his engineering background and business school education.

We asked rising second-year MBA students to check in from their summer internships, where they applied the lessons of their first year at Yale SOM.

Internship: D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), Denver, CO Hometown: Milwaukee, WI Pronouns: he/him/his The SOM class you’re using on the job: Financing Green Technologies Go-to work lunch: Jimmy Johns After-work routine: Work out or run, read my book about batteries ( The BESS Book: A Cell to Grid Guide to Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems ), watch TV Favorite thing about internship city: Denver is an absolutely beautiful city where outdoor activities abound!

I first became aware of DESRI through Hackett Landefeld ’24, a former SOM Energy Club leader who was a DESRI intern last year. Furthermore, Hackett brought DESRI’s battery expert to present to the Energy Club, and I was able to connect with some of the SOM alumni currently at the company. It quickly became clear that DESRI is a fast-paced, market-leading developer/owner/operator of renewable energy projects. This is exciting to me since I am looking for more accelerated opportunities to grow my industry skillset after my electrical engineering career at a utility.

In my internship at DESRI, I work in the Special Projects team which allows me to collaborate with a broad array of groups throughout the company. Special Projects is unique in that most of the areas of focus are new or atypical to DESRI. My primary focus is on surplus interconnection, the process by which we add energy storage to our existing renewable projects. Battery storage can be used to store renewable energy when energy demand is low and disperse that energy later, when the demand grows. DESRI to better serve its customers by providing energy when it is truly needed. Some of my recent tasks have been assessing the commercial viability of these projects and interfacing with both transmission authorities and battery customers to develop them. 

I’ve also been working on a research project studying the lifespan of batteries. This research will help give DESRI an idea of how long its battery technology will last, and when they should expect to make replacements/repairs. Additionally, I have been able to spend time working with the Finance & Acquisitions Team, providing support in applying for government loans which are made available through the Inflation Reduction Act. The day-to-day at DESRI can be a bit chaotic, but I find myself learning a tremendous amount about the industry daily. My role has allowed me to leverage my power systems engineering background and my business school education, so from the beginning I’ve felt like I’m at this company for a reason.  

Financing Green Technologies, an elective taught by Richard Kauffman ’83, and the SOM Energy Club programming gave me a great knowledge base going into the internship. I highly recommend taking Richard’s class for anyone interested in working in renewables or investing in clean technologies. Knowing how project finance works in the industry, understanding how value is created, and learning about the development phases of a project have been extremely relevant in my role. There are also several SOM alumni working at DESRI. They have been generous with their limited time and have been extremely happy to share their perspectives on the firm and offer career advice.

One of my favorite aspects about DESRI is that they have free snacks here which I have been absolutely destroying. I really have enjoyed strolling over to the pantry, grabbing some food, and chatting with coworkers during my breaks. Getting to know other contributors at DESRI has really helped me fit in well at the company and embrace its inviting culture.

I’m excited to take what I’ve learned this summer back to the Energy Club and into the classroom. I intend to host several 101/201 sessions to teach club members about the industry, and my new knowledge of how developers work will make for useful material. My second year will also be full of electives relating to renewable energy, so I am excited to bring what I’ve learned during my internship to the classroom.

As for post-graduation goals, this internship has confirmed to me that I really want to remain in industry, and I will be working hard to return to DESRI upon graduation. The work has been both fun and meaningful, and I can see myself becoming an expert in many areas of the industry if I carry on here.

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Tokamak Energy’s HTS magnets enable efficient operation of nuclear fusion devices

Hts can also enhance the efficiency and power density of renewable energy devices, including wind turbines, and has the potential to provide grid stabilization and load levelling through energy storage..

Prabhat Ranjan Mishra

TE Magnetics is aimed at commercializing the company's transformative fusion magnet technology.

Tokamak Energy    

A UK-based fusion energy company has launched its magnetic division focusing on the industrial deployment of high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. Tokamak Energy’s HTS magnets technology enable the efficient operation of fusion energy devices by confining the extremely hot plasma of fuels. It creates powerful and efficient magnetic fields for a wide range of applications that will drive scientific discoveries, improve medical diagnostics, and contribute to advancements in the defence industry. Fusion, the power of the stars, will play a vital role in a complete transition to a clean and secure energy future and TE Magnetics aims to become the market-leading designer and supplier of HTS magnets to the fusion industry, according to the company.

Ultra-high field, robust and cost-effective technology

Tokamak Energy maintained that with over a decade of advanced HTS magnet research, generating more than 200 patents, TE Magnetics is introducing its ultra-high field, robust and cost-effective technology stack at this week’s Applied Superconductivity Conference (ASC) in Salt Lake City, Utah. “TE Magnetics will commercialise our transformative fusion magnet technology and take it into new markets,” said Warrick Matthews, Tokamak Energy CEO. “Launching this new business division allows us to focus on our core mission of delivering clean, secure and affordable fusion energy , while supporting our strategy for rapid growth across complementary markets.”

Compact HTS magnets generate far stronger fields

The company claims that compact HTS magnets generate far stronger fields and operate at higher temperatures than conventional low temperature superconductors (LTS).

This makes HTS much more energy efficient and easier to manage, removing the requirement for complex liquid helium infrastructure. By enabling more energy-efficient and robust, ‘quench-safe’ technologies, HTS magnets can contribute to reducing energy consumption and decarbonisation, according to Tokamak Energy . “The era of high temperature superconductors is here. TE Magnetics is born from Tokamak Energy’s world-class fusion mission and is centred on opening new fields of performance in applications that will change the world in which we live today,” said Dr Liam Brennan, TE Magnetics Director. “We’re taking our knowledge, skills and talent forward to disrupt existing and create new markets for magnet technologies over the next decade, including renewable energy, science, and land, water, air and space propulsion.”

HTS can enhance efficiency and power density of renewable energy devices

The company claims that HTS can also enhance the efficiency and power density of renewable energy devices, including wind turbines, and has the potential to provide grid stabilization and load levelling through energy storage. “Potential propulsion applications include magneto hydrodynamic drive (MHD) and magnetic levitation, while ultra-high field (UHF) HTS magnet technology will enable high performance in areas such as physics research and materials analysis,” said Tokamak Energy in a statement . “Magnets are wound in parallel from HTS tapes, multi-layered conductors typically 12mm wide and less than 0.1 mm thick made mostly of strong and conductive metals, but with a crucial thin internal coating of rare earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) superconducting material. REBCO magnets use 99% less rare earth material than permanent magnets.”

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ABOUT THE EDITOR

Prabhat Ranjan Mishra Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.

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GOAL 7: Affordable and clean energy

Learn more about SDG 7

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all:

Lack of access to energy supplies and transformation systems is a constraint to human and economic development. The environment provides a series of renewable and non-renewable energy sources i.e. solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biofuels, natural gas, coal, petroleum, uranium. 

Increased use of fossil fuels without actions to mitigate greenhouse gases will have global climate change implications. Energy efficiency and increase use of renewables contribute to climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction. Maintaining and protecting ecosystems allow using and further developing hydropower sources of electricity and bioenergy.

• 3 billion people rely on wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and heating
• Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for around 60 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions
• Since 1990, global emissions of CO2 have increased by more than 46 per cent.
• Hydropower is the largest single renewable electricity source today, providing 16% of world electricity at competitive prices. It dominates the electricity mix in several countries, developed, emerging or developing.
• Bioenergy is the single largest renewable energy source today, providing 10% of world primary energy supply.

Targets linked to the environment:

• Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
• Target 7.b: By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States, and land-locked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support

To learn more about UN Environment Programme's contributions to SDG 7:

• SDG Issue Brief on  Ensuring Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All

Related Sustainable Development Goals

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• Natural Sources Of Energy

Renewable Energy

Energy is one of the major inputs for the economic development of the country. Any sustainable energy source that comes from the natural environment is a renewable energy source. Renewable energy is inexhaustible and a clean alternative to fossil fuels. In this article, we will learn about the types and sources of renewable energy.

What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy is energy that is produced from natural processes and continuously replenished. A few examples of renewable energy are sunlight, water, wind, tides, geothermal heat, and biomass. The energy that is provided by renewable energy resources is used in 5 important areas such as air and water cooling/heating, electricity generation, the rural sector, and transportation.

According to a report in 2016 by REN21, the global energy consumption by the use of renewable energy resources contributed to 19.2% in 2014 and 23.7% in 2015. Many countries have started to invest in these renewable energy resources as these resources will help in maintaining sustainable development. The amount of investment in 2015 was about 286 billion dollars and major sectors were biofuel, solar power, wind, and hydroelectricity.

The existence of renewable energy resources is spread over a wide geographical area in comparison to the conventional energy resources which are often concentrated in a limited number of countries like the oil and gas are mostly concentrated in the Middle East countries. The use of renewable energy resources in energy generation is resulting in less pollution and has a significant effect on economic benefits and energy security.

Examples of Renewable Energy

We can define renewable energy as those energies which can never be depleted. The importance of renewable energy is invaluable. These types of energy sources are different from fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and natural gas. Some examples of renewable energy sources are:

• Wind energy
• Solar energy
• Geothermal energy
• Biomass energy

Sources of Renewable Energy

The sources could sustain for a longer period of time and can easily be renewed often. Sustainable sources are biomass, nuclear power, geothermal, wind energy, solar power, tidal power, and wave power.

The sources of renewable energy are known to be less polluting and therefore the whole world is looking forward to new carbon emission norms, where carbon will play a major role in developing new factories and industries. They will be rated according to the carbon emission and the products that they are producing will be rated accordingly.

Types of Renewable Energy

• Solar Energy:  The radiant light and heat energy from the sun is harnessed with the use of solar collectors. These solar collectors are of various types such as photovoltaics, concentrator photovoltaics, solar heating, (CSP) concentrated solar power, artificial photosynthesis, and solar architecture. This collected solar energy is then used to provide light, heat, and different other forms of electricity.
• Wind Energy:  The energy we get from winds is known as wind energy. For this, windmills have been used for hundreds of years to pump out water from the ground. We use large tall wind turbines that allow winds to generate electricity. The natural airflow on the surface of the earth is used to run the wind turbines. The modern-day wind turbines range from about 600 Kilowatt to 5 Megawatts, for commercial purposes these are rated with an output power of 1.5 to 3 Megawatts. The most preferred locations for these wind turbines to be installed are the areas which and strong and have constant airflows on offshore and sites that are at high altitudes. The power generated from wind energy in 2015 met 4% of global energy consumption.
• Hydroelectricity:  According to statistics, hydroelectricity generated around 16.6% of the global energy resources and constituted about 70% of all renewable electricity. This energy is another alternative source of energy that is generated by the construction of dams and reservoirs on the flowing water, the kinetic energy from the flowing water is used to run the turbines which generate electricity. Tidal power converts the energy of tides and Wave power which captures the energy from the surface of the ocean waves for power generation. These two forms of hydropower also have huge potential in electric power generation.
• Geothermal Energy:  It is the energy that is generated from the thermal energy which is stored in the earth. The heat energy is captured from sources such as hot springs and volcanoes and this heat is directly used by industries for heating the water and other purposes.
• Biomass Energy:  This type of energy is derived from biomass which is a type of biological material derived from living organisms and plant-derived materials which are called lignocellulosic biomass. Biomass can be directly used via combustion to produce heat and indirectly it can be used to convert to biofuels. Biomass can be converted to other usable forms of energy such as transportation fuels like ethanol, biodiesel, and methane gas.

Important Questions Asked From Renewable Energy

Q.1) What are the 7 types of renewable energy?

• Hydroelectric energy
• Hydrogen and fuel cells
• Geothermal power
• Tidal energy

Q.2) What are the examples of renewable energy?

Q.3) What is considered renewable energy?

Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.

Q.4) Is renewable energy efficient?

Renewable energy is 100% efficient.

Q.5) What are the benefits of renewable energy?

There are various environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy. They do not produce any greenhouse gas and reduce some types of air pollution.

Q.6) What are the renewable sources of energy?

Q.7) Why we should use renewable energy?

Q.8) What is bad about renewable energy?

One disadvantage of renewable energy is that it is difficult to generate quantities of electricity that are as large as those produced by fossil fuel generators.

Q.9) What are the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy?

Q.10) Is renewable energy good?

Q.11) Is renewable energy sustainable?

All renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, wave and tidal power are forms of sustainable energy.

Q.12) What is the importance of renewable energy?

Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn more about various forms of energy along with interesting video lessons.

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Sixteen US rural electric co-ops to get USD 7.3bn for clean energy

The US government on Thursday announced more than USD 7.3 billion (EUR 6.6bn) in financing for 16 rural electric cooperatives to build clean energy for rural communities across the country.

The financing, coming from the Inflation Reduction Act’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) programme, was announced by US President Joe Biden and Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack during a visit to Westby, Wisconsin.

The new ERA funds will help the 16 selections to build or purchase over 10 GW of clean energy, including 3,723 MW of wind, 4,733 MW of solar, 804 MW of nuclear and 357 MW of hydropower, as well as install 1,892 MWh of battery storage. The cooperatives will also make enabling investments in transmission, substation upgrades, and distributed energy resource management software.

The states served by them include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

As part of the announcement, Dairyland Power Cooperative will receive the first finalised award in the New ERA programme, nearly USD 573 million of grant and loan funding. It will leverage this money for a total project investment of USD 2.1 billion in the procurement of 1,080 MW of renewable energy through eight wind and solar power purchase agreements. Projects include 593 MW of wind, 427 MW of solar and 60 MW of energy storage in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

According to the announcement, Dairyland’s electric rates are expected to be 42% lower over 10 years compared to what they would have been without New ERA funding.

The combination of New ERA and other investments in rural clean energy from the IRA is described as the largest investment in rural electrification since Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act into law in 1936 as part of the New Deal.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.901)

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BOEM completes EA ahead of 15-GW Gulf of Maine wind lease sale

PE firm Hull Street Energy launches BESS, solar business TruGrid

Bitech working on ITC transfer deal for 100-MW BESS in Texas

Apex secures PPA for 150-MW solar project in Michigan

National Grid Renewables starts building 117-MW solar site in Ohio

Iberdrola secures FERC nod for USD-2.55bn buyout of Avangrid

Plamena has been a UK-focused reporter for many years. As part of the Renewables Now team she is taking a keen interest in policy moves.

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High schoolers explore renewable energy engineering at Mason Square summer camp  

Fourteen local high school students from six school districts spent a week in August delving into renewable energy engineering at George Mason University’s Exploring Renewable Energy Engineering Summer Camp, held at Mason Square. Liling Huang, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and Dominion Energy Faculty Fellow, led the camp sponsored by Amazon Web Services (AWS) from August 5 to 9. 

Throughout the week, students engaged in activities designed to spark their interest in environmental stewardship and engineering excellence. The camp offered a mix of interactive sessions, hands-on labs, and group projects, all aimed at providing a foundational understanding of renewable energy engineering. Industry professionals from organizations such as Dominion Energy and the Solar Hands-On Instructional Network of Excellence (SHINE) contributed their expertise, giving students real-world insights into the energy sector.  

The camp culminated in a two-part event on the final day. First, a panel of renewable energy professionals shared their experiences and advice with the campers. Panelists represented a broad spectrum of the industry, including AES Corporation, AWS, Dominion Energy, Hispanics in Energy, MPR Associates, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC), and SHINE.  

"You all are choosing a field that's very exciting, and there's really an opportunity for you to have huge impact, whether it's here or abroad," said George Mason’s Liza Wilson Durant , Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement, addressing the campers as she introduced the panelists. 

The panelists discussed the future energy landscape, the integration of renewable resources with traditional power grids, and the various career paths available in the power and energy sector. They also highlighted the importance of continuous learning and flexibility. 

SHINE Executive Director David Peterson summed up his advice with a lyric by the Avett Brothers: “Decide what to be, and go be it.” He emphasized the importance of committing to a path without being overly concerned with immediate decisions. Nicholas Lee-Romagnolo, program lead of workforce and economic development at AWS, agreed, explaining that careers are more like jungle gyms than ladders: There are many different paths upward.  

Lee-Romagnolo also advised the campers to pay attention to the culture of their environment throughout their academic and professional careers.  

“It's very difficult to change the culture that you go into. Often you as an individual change and become more like that culture, so be aware of and thoughtful about those groups that you enter into,” he explained, adding, “None of us learns or works individually, and the team that you choose will matter every single time.” 

Following the panel, the students presented their main project—a model town powered entirely by renewable, clean energy. The model featured working offshore wind turbines and small solar panels that powered a lamp and fans inside the town's model houses and data centers. The students took on various roles in planning the town, addressing engineering, financial, regulatory, and social challenges. The model town was designed as a coastal Virginia community, with considerations for local population dynamics and environmental sustainability.  

The campers expressed pride in their work, noting how much they had learned during the week. When asked who was planning to study energy engineering in the future, twelve of the fourteen students raised their hands. 

Dive deeper into Electrical and Computer Engineering

In this story, related news.

• High schoolers explore renewable energy engineering at Mason Square summer camp   August 26, 2024
• FOCUS summer program marks a decade of engaging middle-school girls in STEM August 15, 2024
• George Mason’s startup incubator puts CEO on path to developing accessible electronic health care records July 15, 2024
• George Mason to Launch Nation’s First Center for Small Business AI Innovation with $1M Grant June 28, 2024
• IDIA launches inaugural cohort of Public-Private Partnership Faculty Fellows November 15, 2023