Why pursue education in Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy means energy that is sustainable - something that can't run out, or is endless, like the sun. The most popular renewable energy sources are solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy. Renewable energy is often referred to as clean energy, and comes from natural sources or processes that are constantly replenished. While renewable energy is often thought of as a new technology, harnessing nature’s power has long been used for heating, transportation, lighting, and more. The term 'alternative energy' usually refers to renewable energy sources too. It means sources of energy that are alternative to the most commonly used non-sustainable sources, like coal.
In the past few years, clean water, fossil fuel, and biodiversity depletion along with an increasing global population and resource consumption and depletion, have put sustainability and renewable energy policies as a top priority for governments. Masters in Renewable Energy helps combines management skills with renewable energy technology to create a graduate equipped with skills needed to make the world more sustainable.

There are various Master’s Degree programs for students seeking to study renewable energy. Most are STEM programs and students can be eligible for the STEM OPT extension. Some options are:
MS in Renewable Energy Engineering prepares students to deal with energy production issues and creates professionals with a broad range of technical skills that help land leadership roles in institutions, NGOs, and government entities. The program explores energy issues from an engineering, environmental, and fundamental science perspective, preparing graduates for careers in power systems and generation, grid operation, and renewable energy sources.
MS in Renewable Energy Management equips students with critical thinking and creative problem solving which is combined with engineering principles and technical skills to help assist professionals in engaging with the development of sustainability. Programs prepare students to develop, manage and implement sustainable energy technologies. Core courses include a foundation in math, physics, and chemistry as well as instruction in energy management, wind power, photovoltaics, and fuel cells.
Masters in Renewable Energy & Sustainable Systems Engineering & Management have an understanding of the complex economics, technology, and policies that are required to transition society over to renewable energy. This is a dual degree that builds a strong foundation in both engineering and sustainability. This specialization track is intended for those interested in both conventional and renewable energy policy, business, consulting, and management. The track provides a pragmatic, rigorous, and interdisciplinary understanding of energy from three perspectives: science and technology, policy, and business. Students graduating from this track might pursue careers in the private sector, state or federal agencies, or in the non profit sector doing work in numerous topic areas including energy storage, utilities, renewable procurement, public transportation, electric vehicles, energy finance, technology transfer, marketing, consulting, and reporting.

• Major course topics include
• Energy Conservation for Environmental Protection
• Energy and Sustainability in Contemporary Culture
• Human Dimensions of Global Warming.
• Sustainable Urbanism
• Geographic Information Systems
• Environmental Design for Sustainable Development
• Wind Energy Engineering, Wind Energy Conversion
• Sustainable Energy Conversion and the Environment
• Solar Thermal Energy Systems
• Renewable Distributed Generation and Storage
• Power Systems Engineering
• Smart Grid: Economics, Policy and Engineering Aspects
• Renewable & Alternative Energy

Electives could be as diverse as Bioenergy, Catalysis, Solar Cells, Electrochemical Conversion, Energy Conservation, Power Electronics, Energy-Efficient Computing, Sustainable Structural Engineering, etc.

Students can have an undergraduate background as diverse as coursework in electrical, mechanical, civil, environmental or related engineering field. Bachelors in physics, computer science or a related natural science field is also eligible.

Some top jobs in the renewable energy field include Wind farm site managers, Green construction managers, Renewable energy consultants, Solar project managers, Renewable energy sales representatives.
Technical skills to improve employment opportunities include comprehension of global energy markets, economics, regulatory policy, cost analysis, and research and analysis methods shows an understanding of the industry which makes an applicant extremely employable. Important soft skills to possess include communication, motivation, ingenuity, and inquisition.