The safe and reliable production, transmission, and storage of energy is critical to meeting the needs of society. Energy is used in manufacturing, transportation, communications, heating and cooling, etc. for domestic and commercial purposes. It is an interdisciplinary field that requires integrating various aspects of engineering.

While much of the energy production in the United States and globally has traditionally been derived from fossil fuels or nuclear sources, there is a growing need to expand the development of renewable and sustainable energy sources. This transition will also require new technologies to be developed for the transmission and storage of energy, as well as a larger focus on conservation efforts and improved efficiency of end-use products. It will also require technology developments for the more efficient use of current energy sources.

Engineers employed in the energy industry may work in power plants or other facilities like wind farms, design improved systems for energy production, develop more efficient HVAC systems for energy conservation, or research new technologies for reliable energy conversion or storage, among other opportunities.

Recommended Technical Elective Offerings

• ME 353: Thermodynamics II
• ME 469: Energy Storage Technology
• ME 470: Renewable Energy Technology
• ME 475: Automatic Controls
• ME 481: Fundamentals of Energy Conversion
• ME 482: Fuel Cell Science and Engineering
• ME 484: Gas Turbines
• ME 485: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
• ME 487: Internal Combustion Engines
• ABEN 456: Biobased Energy
• IME 440: Engineering Economics