What type of engineering is best for renewable energy?

[nickaldis]

The subject says it all .
A levels are Mathematics, Futher Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

I worked in a specific field of renewable energy until a few years ago and still dabble, but (disclaimer) can't pretend to be an expert as far as all types of renewable energy.

I would go with whichever type of engineering is most interesting and manageable to you because every major type of engineering (e.g., civil, chemical, mechanical, environmental) can lead to opportunities in renewable energy.

My background is in chemical engineering, which makes sense as far as anything that involves chemical reactions (e.g., where there are fluids flowing through equipment or underground). Mechanical engineers can get involved in building drilling and other equipment. Electrical engineers can work on converting solar or wind or geothermal (or whatever) energy into electricity or heating for buildings. Or on designing things like more efficient solar panels.

If there's a particular university you're interested in, it's likely that there will be an emphasis on certain types of engineering. For example, more of the professors will teach courses in a particular field of engineering and maybe there'll be more scholarships and internships and connections with industry in that field.

If I were you, I would approach the undergraduate counsellor at the institution(s) you want to attend and ask which types of renewable energy most graduate go into, because that's where the most job opportunities will be. There should also be statistics on average pay for each type of job. Good luck.

There are a couple of unis that do a specific course in renewable energy engineering (eg Portsmouth) so would be worth looking up their courses even if you want to look at more general courses

My gripe with chemical is that it'll be fossil fuel related.

I don't know why you would think that. If this is your future or your child's future we're talking about, then my advice is to approach whoever is in charge of undergraduate education at the institution you're interested in and ask where graduates end up.

If you make assumptions without finding out the facts, you could end up in a field you don't want to be in.

Chemical Engineering is a very broad topic. There are all kinds of jobs in many industries available to chemical engineers. The hydrocarbon industry generally is NOT interested in chemically complex processes and in my experience doesn't provide much funding to chemical engineers.

Some universities such as Exeter offer a BEng in Renewable Energy Engineering.

However, I would recommend a more general course in a university with a strong reputation in engineering. Loughborough offer an MEng in Energy Engineering with a placement year. Southampton offer a MEng in Mechanical Engineering / Sustainable Energy Systems with a placement year.

There are two ways of looking at this. Do a degree that’s purely on this subject or do a general one and then specialise. A mechanical engineering degree keeps options open, a narrow focus doesn’t. If he wants to be a chartered engineer, the course must be recognised as leading to this. BEng is a much slower route but leads more directly to incorporated engineer. You could do a BEng then MSc. Plenty available. Sheffield has a great one. A more expensive option though. There are environmental engineering degrees. I think Nottingham does one. Many engineers don’t specialise too much at undergrad level but do choose modules that lean towards a career.

Mechanical/Electrical.

Are there any advanced apprenticeships available? Many in industry are more impressed by a solid apprenticeship than a theoretical degree.

Thanks for the answers. Didn't know Loughborough had the energy engineering course.

@nickaldis Be a bit careful about apprenticeships. Very few available so that’s an issue. Secondly, if it’s a BEng it’s not leading directly to Chartered Engineer. It’s Incorporated engineer. Would the apprenticeship lead to a masters or not. If not, career choices end up being limited if DS is ambitious.

Robert Gordon does a specific one I think

Also there are loads and loads of masters in this. Look at what they want as a BEng if going down that track.

DH did an MEng in Mechanical Engineering, got a job at a consultancy after graduation and has worked him way up to become a senior consultant with specialisms in hydrogen, carbon capture and other forms of renewables. The work he does is more related to Chemical Engineering (most of his colleagues did Chem Eng) but he still uses an awful lot of what he learnt during his Mechanical degree.

If DC is also considering a science degree, what is better Physics or Chemistry?

@TizerorFizz "Be a bit careful about apprenticeships. Very few available so that’s an issue. Secondly, if it’s a BEng it’s not leading directly to Chartered Engineer. It’s Incorporated engineer. Would the apprenticeship lead to a masters or not. If not, career choices end up being limited if DS is ambitious."

Could you elaborate on this comment please? If someone has completed a BEng through an apprenticeship are they barred from getting chartered and can only be known as incorporated? If someone has completed a BEng through apprenticeship, is it advisable for them to then do a masters degree?

Hi, OP -

Former Russell Group STEM admissions tutor here

Chartered status is useful. Master’s level knowledge is required. By far the easiest way to acquire that is by doing an integrated MEng but an independent MSc, which adds a summer thesis requirement, obviously also suffices. In theory it is possible to demonstrate this knowledge in other ways but it is difficult.

DC’s strengths and preferences are missing, vital information here. Doing as well as possible on the degree programme is important. Students tend to do best when they are enthusiastic and doing something they are good at.

Physics vs Chemistry? Do either of them excite DC? If both do, which comes easier?

If DC likes Maths, EE and Mech Eng are two of the most Maths intensive and broadly employable branches of Engineering. We cannot predict what forms Renewable Energy will take in 10 years, never mind over the span of DC’s career. They should pick a branch of Engineering or Science that appeals, learn it well and look for opportunities to use their knowledge in the Renewable sector (whilst continuing to learn)

BTW Chem Eng need not mean nasty petrochemicals. There is even a specific degree programme at Manchester (renowned for Chem Eng), and presumably elsewhere, in Chem Eng and Renewable Energy - first thing up when I searched.

@fortyfifty I hope @TizerorFizz will answer and she usually does. This isn’t my field of expertise

There is nothing wrong with Incorporated status! But it is true that ststistically speaking the most successful Engineers tend to be Chartered. In particular the Chartered qualification is recognised abroad and carries more reciprocal privileges

The Institute is a bit cagey and says that Master’s level knowledge is required. I believe this is meant to leave open the possibility that it can, in theory, be demonstrated in unusual ways. But that is much, much easier said than done. Most who self study and then come forward for an exam sadly do not succeed, and the study itself is really difficult and time consuming.

So yes, realistically someone who wants Chartered status and has a BEng needs an MSc Best wishes

Someone I know did an electrical power systems masters degree at Birmingham which was very focused on renewable energy. It sat under electrical engineering. He now works for uk atomic authority.

Computer science

Whichever mosts interests them.

Anyone who chooses science should do so because they are genuinely interested in the subject.

@fortyfifty Hi. It is as @poetryandwine explains.

If you look at undergrad degrees, they are BEng or MEng. MEng is the quickest route to becoming a chartered engineer. The highest ranking professional qualification. BEng leads to Incorporated Engineer. Someone with BEng therefore needs a masters to get to the same status as the MEng undergrad. This can be useful if the grad has a specialism they went to explore.

Once with an employer, a grad engineer must complete approved work and gain suitable experience to become chartered or incorporated. LCharterex is at a higher level. From what I have seen, many apprenticeships offer BEng. Employers will route the BEng grad down the Incorporated route as they are not qualified for the Chartered route. That’s why students should be careful about apprenticeship degrees. It’s money during the degree but quite possibly career limiting if it’s not a MEng degree. So lifetime earnings will be less. That isn’t to say they don’t have their place.

Chartered status as early as possible usually generates higher earnings and status within a company. For some disciplines of engineering, eg structural, complex design work is always overseen by a chartered engineer. The institutions explain the difference if you look at the professional qualifications page.

Thank you @poetryandwine and @TizerorFizz I'll have a look at the institution pages and try and relay this information to the young person I know who took this route.

@fortyfifty I typed all that out rather late! Hope it made sense. Basically, check the degree and check what qualification it leads to. Understand the qualifications and make an informed choice. There is a reason why the best MEng courses are sought after but you can transfer from BEng to MEng if good enough.

If doing pure science, physics has more transfer value into energy engineering than chemistry. A physicist will get up to speed far quicker on electrical power systems than a chemist who's knowledge of electromagnetism and circuits will be very basic unless they have taken some very specific modules. There is of course lots of applied chemistry/chemical engineering in energy engineering of course, particularly around battery and fuel cell storage.

Hey I’ve worked in renewables for nearly 25 years hydro and wind - I would say without a doubt that there are more mechanical engineers required for new build projects/operations and maintenance than any other discipline. Being a really good mech Eng will get you further than a bit of all disciplines rolled into being called a renewables eng. Clever people pick up the basics of the other disciplines when you all come together on projects.

Clever people from all kinds of backgrounds can succeed. But this chimes with the experience of my DF, who has a PhD in Mech Eng and had a very successful career focussing on advanced projects