How to become an Energy Engineer

Energy engineering is a unique area of engineering that is associated with the research and development of processes, systems, devices, components and equipment used to draw energy from various sources such as solar, wind, nuclear, water, oil, and gas. Energy engineers are involved throughout the entire energy life cycle, from extraction, production, conversion, and transmission to its distribution. Energy engineers work with compelling elements that have the potential to do miracles just as efficiently as they can blow up cities. Due to the hazardous nature of their work, it goes without saying that energy engineers must fully comprehend the gravity of their line of work and, thus, contribute responsibly. To be successful in this broad and diverse industry, energy engineers must update themselves with the technical knowledge, latest inventions and discoveries, developmental trends, and governmental regulations and have a strong understanding of regulatory and statutory requirements concerning energy usage and sustainability concerns.

The syllabus for energy engineering is tailored to be comprehensive and vast to develop a strong establishment of theoretical and practical knowledge of the energy engineering subjects and concepts such as Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Thermodynamics and energy conversion, heat and mass transfer, Energy Systems modelling and analysis, Combustion engineering among others. Energy engineering jobs can be found in numerous disciplines such as Electric power generation, transmission and distribution, Energy Power Plants, Government agencies, and Scientific research and development for medical purposes.

Energy engineering jobs are quite multidimensional as it consists of the following tasks:

• Design and develop energy-efficient processes and equipment 
• Oversee plant operations and management
• Conduct fundamental and applied research and energy audits on alternative sources of energy
• Conduct field observations, collect energy efficiency data and analyze the process of energy efficiency used
• Introduce new, innovative energy systems and implement them
• Design economic effective and environment-friendly methods to dispose of energy waste
• Control, monitor, manage and minimize environmental pollution and degradation
• Analyze energy accidents and extract information to be used in designing preventive measures and safety standards
• Create awareness about energy-efficient systems

An energy engineer must have specific requisite skills and inclinations and relevant educational background to excel in the field. Energy engineers must have a passion for science and its applications, teamwork skills, the ability to work well under pressure, excellent communication skills, a sharp, analytic mind, and problem-solving skills. Energy engineer jobs require an eye for detail, innovation, strict adherence to rules,  precision and dexterous application of logical concepts. Thus, aspirants must exhibit these traits to at least some extent. To take on the role of an energy engineer, aspirants must understand the vitality and gravity of the role and contribute responsibly. Energy engineers must stay up-to-date with the latest inventions and discoveries, industrial trends, governmental regulations, etc.

In order to enroll into a Bachelor’s program at one of the best energy engineering colleges, aspirants are expected to clear the JEE main and subsequently, the JEE Advance exam which makes the aspirant eligible to apply at any university in India. It is a challenging exam to crack that requires hard work as well as rigorous and consistent preparation. Some states have their own entrance exams that are admissible in their respective universities. Many educational institutes conduct their own entrance tests. 

With relevant educational background, and preferably with the experience gained during an internship, aspirants may apply for the following energy engineering jobs: 

• Energy Scientist
• Maintenance Technician
• Project engineer
• Engineering Manager
• Research Scientist
• Energy Engineer
• Energy Auditor
• Field engineer
• Energy Procurement Professional