Betty asks…
Whaich is contry is better for career in fuel cell and other renewable energy technologies, US or Australia?
I have job offer from both countries. Both organizations are equivalent in reputation and salary. I am thinking of 2 years from now.
The Expert answers:
I would love to live in Australia but the US is SO much larger and richer. I would think the US would be safer as far as job security, choice and advancement goes.
Lisa asks…
what are some good jobs that involve sustainability?
Im a freshman at the University of Oregon. I am a business major and I am interested in doing some kind of work in the sustainability field. Being a freshman I am no pro when it comes to sustainability, but I would like to do some kind of work that involves improving the environment and promoting renewable energy. Whats a good job I could possibly see myself doing in the futre?
The Expert answers:
Be a bureaucrat. You won’t be expected to produce anything. All you’ll need to do is harass the people who are actually trying to run a business.
Daniel asks…
Confused about Renewable energy…?
I am going for a job at a renewable energy company. You don’t need experience but I like to do research for any job that I am going for and this one has got me stumped. Can someone please explain (in very simple terms because the internet pages do not help me, just confuse me more) what renewable energy is, and any examples that might help me better understand. Thank you 🙂
The Expert answers:
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished). In 2006, about 18% of global final energy consumption came from renewables, with 13% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3% from hydroelectricity. New renewables (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another 2.4% and are growing very rapidly.The share of renewables in electricity generation is around 18%, with 15% of global electricity coming from hydroelectricity and 3.4% from new renewables.
Refer this site for more information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy
Susan asks…
Becoming A Renewable energy Engineer?
Hello I am interested in becoming a renewable energy engineer.I dont know if thats the exact name of it but I want to be the people that study new ways to get energy like wind and solar.
I want to create and research technology that will get us off oil once and for all.But What is that jobs name and What do I study to be able to do it.
The Expert answers:
First off, I’ve been working as a renewable energy engineer for the past 6 years. I’ve worked on a broad spectrum of projects, my primary interest has always been biofuels, but I’ve worked in other renewable energy and renewable resource industries as well. My degree is in chemical engineering.
It depends on what you actually want to do. Wind and solar power industries depend on mechanical and electrical engineers. The biofuel industries like ethanol, biodeisel, biomethanation, bio-gas (syngas and biomethane), and geothermal power industries depend on chemical engineers.
Chemical engineering as a discipline is incredibly diverse, you’ll have opportunities to work in any chem engineering role, as well as the ability to branch out and do work that would typically be fit for mechanical or electrical engineers also. I’ve worked on wind power generation as well as water power generation projects in addition to EXTENSIVE cutting edge research in biofuels.
As far as creating and researching technology goes. I strongly recommend chemical engineering, and I STRONGLY recommend pursuing an advanced degree, and load up with electives to suit renewable energy including bioseparations, biochem processing, electrical engineering/power generation, fluid mechanics, etc etc. If you want to go the biofuels route, add membrane technology to the list. Also take internships that are industry based, not research based, that way you’ll diversify your experiences so you can run the lab with the “real world” in mind. Industrial experience is invaluable for implementing new technologies, but the advanced degree will help make sure you stay involved with research instead of just processing and production.
There are a lot of great RESCO’s to work for around the country. (Renewable Energy Service COmpany). Black and Veatch is expanding their renewable energy interests, Koch engineering as well, NREL is obviously a leader in renewable energy, GE, Ameresco, TetraTech, etc etc. To name some bigger houses, GEVO inc, Edenspace Inc, Midwest Research Institute, CH2M Hill, ICM etc etc to name some middle ground and smaller players that have big influences in the industry.
All that said, good luck with the career choice. I love what I do and I do it well. Some people choose to be a cog in the wheel that makes the world go round… But some of us choose to take charge and guide the world in the right direction. Renewable Energy is the right direction.
Sandra asks…
Why on Earth did Congress ever pass laws to give tax breaks to companies for sending jobs overseas?
What were they thinking? Was it “China will lend us money if we give them jobs“? I don’t get it.
Also people say the stimulus money made renewable energy jobs in China. What was wrong with making them here?
Hard to believe that special interest groups got ALL of Congress to sell us out. Or maybe they ARE all a bunch of crooks.
How did it slide by with no one noticing???
Yes, it costs them less in labor so why do they need a tax break on top of that??
Corporations owning Congress, yes, probably so. At least Obama is negotiating medicare prescription prices now or at least the insurance rates for medicare supplements.
The Expert answers:
It’s ownership of the Congress by corporations.
Unrestricted and untraceable funding of the election process in this country is the root of corruption. Companies don’t spend money without an expectation of return and you can bet that the candidates know where the money came from and what’s expected of them. Consider Medicare Part D, the Government can’t even negotiate prices (for the love of Mike!). How much did that cost the pharmaceutical industry and how many billions did it bring them? Add big oil, and big banking and the infection is pernicious and deep.
President Obama is right on this one.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers