| If you are interested in an exciting career, one choice | | | | aid of chemists, microbiologists, biochemists, |
| may be a career in the field of renewable energy. | | | | agricultural specialists and engineers. It will also create |
| Finding resources for generations to come can be | | | | a number of direct and indirect jobs in rural |
| both challenging and satisfying. | | | | communities. There will be an increase in jobs for |
| If you're looking into this area of interest there are | | | | farmers and foresters to produce and collect biomass |
| many different professions that will be and are | | | | resources. There will also be a need for more truck |
| available. Because of the vast variety of existing | | | | drivers to transport resources to the plants. There |
| opportunities, it will also accommodate a number of | | | | may even be a need for chemical engineers |
| different degrees and different types of training. | | | | cross-trained in engineering and biology or chemistry |
| Your goal is to find which career path is the right fit | | | | and agriculture. |
| for you. | | | | Geothermal energy production requires geologists, |
| Certain jobs in communications, community outreach, | | | | geochemists, geophysicists, hydrologists, |
| sales, marketing and business support are available in | | | | seismologists, reservoir engineers, mud loggers, |
| every renewable energy field. In addition, each field | | | | hydraulic engineers and drillers for the development |
| will need construction workers for building of the | | | | and location of reservoirs. Environmental scientists will |
| facilities, architects for the building design, mechanical | | | | be needed for impact studies and for the obtainment |
| and electrical engineers for research and development | | | | of permits. HVAC contractors and drilling crews are |
| and technicians to maintain operations of the buildings. | | | | also needed for manufacturing and installing |
| There are other jobs that will specifically target | | | | geothermal heat pumps. Direct use of geothermal |
| certain renewable energy technologies. | | | | technology will have a need for heating engineers and |
| The wind industry uses meteorologists in their search | | | | those trained in building and agricultural industries. |
| to find areas with adequate wind conditions. Certain | | | | Electrical machinists, welders, riggers and mechanics |
| speeds of wind are vital to allow wind farms to | | | | are also needed in the design and construction |
| generate enough electricity. In addition, advanced | | | | processes. |
| degree aeronautical engineers are needed for | | | | Hydropower industry will employ recreation planners, |
| research and development in efforts to improve | | | | resource managers and educators in managing the |
| design and operations. Mechanical and electrical | | | | reservoirs and surrounding lands. The employment of |
| technicians, called "wind smiths" are needed to | | | | environmental scientists such as, biologists, |
| maintain the wind turbines. | | | | hydrologists, ecologists, and wildlife habitat specialists |
| The solar power industry has a need for highly skilled | | | | will be needed for conducting impact studies. They |
| professionals. The different areas would consist of | | | | are needed to examine the effect hydropower has |
| photovoltaics, solar thermal electric, solar hot water | | | | on the environment, to deal with environmental |
| systems and passive solar building design. Higher-level | | | | safety and to satisfy state and federal licensing laws. |
| jobs would include chemical, material science and | | | | The renewable energy field offers careers for |
| physics engineers who would take the lead in | | | | individuals with a number of different skills, degrees |
| research and development to improve solar products | | | | and training. By being among those who will apply |
| costs and reliability. | | | | their talents and areas of expertise to any of the |
| Much research is needed to make biomass energy | | | | renewable energy fields, you can help the United |
| production, the conversion of biomass into fuel, an | | | | States in its quest to provide an safe, |
| easier process. This research effort will require the | | | | environmentally friendly energy to its citizens. |