Energy/power

The reliable production of electricity is central to our lives, enabling modern lifestyles and powering industry – China’s vast expansion of generating power capacity has contributed to it becoming a leading economy, for example.

Graduates are in time for changing industry

The UK’s power industry is undergoing a sustained period of expansion. Historically, the majority of our electricity was provided by fossil-fuel-fired and nuclear power plants but now there is a need for cleaner and higher-efficiency technologies. Current plans include combined cycle gas turbines, biomass firing and energy-from-waste technologies, and nuclear power – alongside a huge increase in onshore and offshore wind farms. There is also a drive to overhaul and ‘retrofit’ existing plants with emissions-reducing technologies.

Wind technology is increasingly viable with novel wave and tidal schemes not far behind.

Sustainability and the environmental impact of each new project has to be considered by engineers – wind technology is increasingly viable, with novel wave and tidal schemes not far behind. New technologies for fossil-fired plants such as carbon capture and sequestration are now supported by government and EEC funding. The mix of technologies deployed and the rate of new project build will be influenced by government policies on nuclear power and developments in carbon trading arrangements.

Engineering consultancies, contractors, technology vendors and specialist manufacturers work together to propose and realise solutions for generators and utilities.

Graduate engineering jobs in the energy sector

Graduate jobs can be found with engineering contractors and consultants, utility providers, technology vendors, and specialist manufacturers in a variety of roles and most will provide support for your appropriate professional qualifications – but do check!

Graduates may join a contractor’s design team, or a team looking at every element of a project’s life cycle

How to join the energy industry as a graduate engineer

Engineers of all disciplines are sought after, including civil/structural, process/chemical, mechanical, electrical, and control and instrumentation. Civil and structural engineers are predominantly involved with the early stages of new-build projects while others might be involved throughout.

Highs and lows

It’s an exciting time to join this industry and the projects are interesting and varied. It can be disappointing if one of your projects is cancelled because of a client’s changing business case or for economic reasons.

Dave Pretswell, CEng, MIMechE, is a construction director – power projects at Jacobs. He has a BSC in mechanical engineering from the University of Paisley and has been working in the industry for over 30 years.