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The future of Energy Studies
Are you the kind of person who is concerned about the way the environment works, and is intrigued by the mind-boggling world of sustainable and renewable energy? If you have an undergraduate background in engineering, natural sciences, physics, or prior industry experience, then this could be your opportunity to explore the energy world. Besides, with the whole world gearing up towards environmental causes, sustainable energy graduate courses are not only contemporary but are an integral part of daily existence.
As the US prepares for the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference, 2008, (March 4 – 6), the third global ministerial conference on renewable energy following events in Beijing and Bonn in 2005 and 2004 respectively, the energy world is gaining momentum. WIREC 2008 will foster increased political support and public awareness for renewable energy, new and innovative actions to promote widespread adoption of renewable energy.
So what exactly is the study of sustainable energy? Nalin Agarwal, completed his B. Tech from the National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, India and is now in the process of completing his graduate studies in sustainable energy in the UK. He says sustainable development, and sustainable energy are pertinent in view of the present-day issues of rapid population and economic growth. “With an increase in exploitation of natural resources where there is a distinct de-link of economic growth and energy consumption, something needs to change.”
And here in lies the imperativeness of studies in sustainable energy. Since the demand from consumers continues to increase, the only solution lies in developing unique and innovative methods of the way energy is produced. Nalin says, , “Sustainable energy studies prepare you with how best to use available resources to meet higher demands, while addressing issues of climate change mitigation, energy security and equity.”
In fact, recent reports in the UK, EC and the World Energy Council show the limited contribution to electricity generation made at present by renewables will increase considerably in the following decades. An EC White Paper on Renewable Energy anticipates that by 2010, 12 per cent of the energy in Europe will be from renewable energy sources giving an opportunity of up to one million new jobs. Loughborough University, famed for its MSc in Renewable Energy System Technologies stated that ‘because there is already a substantial unserviced demand for graduates with expertise in this area…the great majority of recent graduates have taken jobs in the growing renewable energy sector.’
Tom Bailey, completed his bachelors in physics from Manchester University in year???2006. He is now pursuing an MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures at Imperial College, London. Tom is part of the maiden batch of students in this new program who will graduate in September. He says, “Energy is an evolving sector and this course has helped me to be in touch with the energy developments that have been growing over the world.” In a diverse batch of 25 students, with pupils ranging from the Middle-East, Europe, Asia and UK, Tom believes that courses like this puts one at a distinct edge over others. He adds, “In order to have a firm grasp of different issues, an interdisciplinary graduate course is essential.” Besides studying, Tom is simultaneously working for ARUP Energy involved with energy strategies in developing cities and large towns.
Imperial College introduced its course last year. Sandro Macchieto, the course director of MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures explains, “It is essential to prepare future graduates to gauge the complex issues related to energy, especially since it is a developing field right now and there is a lot of scope to explore territories.” After three years of intensive research, this inter-disciplinary course has emerged to be the future of energy studies. Macchieto further claims, “While most other Masters courses in sustainable energy including the ones in MIT and Princeton are very technical, the Imperial course provides an advanced understanding of the impact of energy as well as economics. It is inter-disciplinary and inter-departmental with staff ranging from 11 departments and three faculties.” The uniqueness of this course, in Macchieto’s words lies in its “holistic solutions.” Imperial plans to publicise the ‘elite course’ further through educational fairs in 200
