Energy comes in many different forms and leads to many different careers. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, energy comes in the following forms:
- Heat (thermal)
- Light (radiant)
- Motion (kinetic)
- Electrical
- Chemical
- Nuclear Energy
- Gravitational
Energy sources are divided into two groups — renewable (an energy source that can be easily replenished) and nonrenewable (an energy source that we are using up and cannot recreate). Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources can be used to produce secondary energy sources including electricity and hydrogen.
Renewable energy sources include:
- Solar energy from the sun, which can be turned into electricity and heat
- Wind
- Geothermal energy from heat inside the Earth
- Biomass from plants, which includes firewood from trees, ethanol from corn, and bio-diesel from vegetable oil
- Hydropower from hydroturbines at a dam
The energy industry encompasses a variety of products and services including electricity, natural gas, oil, and renewable energy technology. It examines issues of energy acquisition and energy trading worldwide. The focus on deregulation and the privatization of energy has increased throughout the world. It is expected that jobs in the energy sector will grow.
Professional work in the energy industry involves:
- Researching and analyzing policy
- Understanding policy trends and directions
- Examining regional and market trends
- Developing and operating energy infrastructure projects
- Marketing energy efficiency improvements
- Developing community outreach related to projects or plants
- Environmental and regulatory compliance
- Integrating energy management services
- Assessing global impact and advocating new approaches toward management, development, and technology
- Understanding natural gas storage, production and transportation assets
- Marketing and trading physical and financial energy products including natural gas, power, crude oil and associated commodities
- Acquiring or developing power plants for the competitive market
According to the PA Center for Workforce Information and Analysis, Pennsylvania is among the states with the highest number of green jobs. Advanced workforce policies and wise investments have made the state a national leader in creating and fostering a green economy. Pennsylvania’s green jobs are located, primarily, in five industry sectors:
• Energy Efficiency (Sample employers: civil engineering consultants and building construction contractors)
• Renewable Energy (Sample employers: wind turbine builders and electric utility companies)
• Clean Transportation (Sample employers: aircraft manufacturers and transportation management companies)
• Pollution Prevention & Environmental Cleanup (Sample employers: scientific research facilities and water treatment builders)
• Agriculture & Resource Conservation (Sample employers: corn farms and energy consulting companies)
Industry partnerships in mining, oil and gas, and clean energy are bringing employers, educators, and other resource partners to meet the needs of the energy industry.