Clean energy comes in many forms. These renewable power sources create little to no pollution in the air, water, or soil, and some are even inexhaustible. Let’s look at a few clean energy sources, substantial clean energy efforts around the world, and energy business career potential—including salaries.

Clean Energy Sources

Some common sources of clean energy are:

Solar Power

Solar panels direct sunlight to photovoltaic (PV) cells, which then convert sunlight into electricity. This energy can be used immediately or stored in batteries for later use.

Wind Power

Wind turbines, modern-day windmills that often resemble airplane propellers, are set into rotation by wind. The blades of the turbine are mounted on a rotor, which is attached to a generator that can generate electric power from the motion of the blades.

Hydroelectric Power

Also known as hydropower, hydroelectric power also uses turbines attached to a generator to produce power. The turbines spin from the force of rapidly moving water, such as that from a river or waterfall.

Sizeable Clean Energy Projects

Let’s see how some of the clean energy sources mentioned above are being used today. Here are a few of the largest clean energy projects in the world:

Skyscraper-Sized Wind Turbines

Imagine the power that a single wind turbine more than 620 feet tall—nearly 60 stories—can generate. The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, situated in Scotland’s Aberdeen Bay, has 11 such turbines. This massive offshore wind farm is anticipated to meet more than 70% of Aberdeen’s electricity needs.

The Largest Power Station on the Planet

Australia is about 18% desert, and there’s no shortage of sunlight in those deserts, making them optimal locations for certain clean energy projects. Once construction commences in Western Australia in 2026, the Asian Renewable Energy Hub will be home to 78 square kilometers (about one-tenth the size of Chicago) of solar panels and 1,600 immense wind turbines that, when used in combination, have the potential to generate 40% of the continent’s electricity output. According to the project’s website, as much as “3,000 MW of generation capacity will be dedicated to large energy users” locally, while most of the energy will be put toward “large scale production of green hydrogen products for domestic and export markets.”

The Biggest Buyer of Clean Energy

As of 2021, Amazon is both the world’s top-grossing e-commerce retailer and the world’s biggest buyer of clean energy. With a stated goal of reaching zero carbon emissions within the next two decades, Amazon has invested in a total of 206 renewable energy projects, the most of any organization on the planet. These projects are situated on multiple continents across the world and incorporate solar, wind, and other types of clean power.

Rewarding Energy Sector Jobs

With the right credentials, you can take advantage of the current surge in clean energy projects by securing a lucrative position within the clean energy sector, and even a managerial role. Here are some in-demand energy jobs and their median annual pay, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Career-Enhancing Energy Credentials

If you’re considering a career in the energy industry or are looking for a way to improve your performance and advancement potential in your current energy role, you’ll benefit immensely from one of The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online energy programs. Offered by our AACSB-accredited College of Business, these programs equip you with vital career skills and credentials. Choose from the following graduate options:

Master of Business Administration with Certificate in Energy Business

This MBA program helps you develop operational acumen and leadership abilities highly valued by employers in the energy industry. Choose designated elective courses to earn a second graduate credential, the Graduate Certificate in Energy Business, without adding any extra time to your MBA program. You may be able to finish your MBA and graduate certificate in as little as four semesters!

Graduate Certificate in Energy Business

If you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree program and are looking to add to your energy business skillset without committing to a master’s degree program, you can earn this 12-credit certificate as a stand-alone professional credential. Through your choice of four courses, you’ll enhance your existing abilities in accounting, business law, finance, management, and/or marketing with an energy industry perspective.

Programs That Work on Your Schedule

All courses for both programs are presented in a 100% online asynchronous format, enabling you to complete coursework at the times that best fit your schedule from just about anywhere in the world. If you have professional and personal commitments, as most of our students do, you’ll find this flexibility invaluable. These programs also feature the same quality curriculum taught by the same renowned faculty who teach on campus at UT Permian Basin. Online convenience is the only difference!

Strengthen your mastery of energy business concepts in an online UT Permian Basin program.

Sources:
https://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/national-location-information/landforms/deserts
https://www.scientificamerican.com/slideshow/10-largest-renewable-energy-projects/