<p>I'd like to work with renewable energy and the green movement in general and I was wondering if I should study Electrical Engineering or Civil Engineering to have the best chance of getting into this field. Thanks.</p>
<p>There is no single engineering for renewable energy. It all depends on what direction you want to go. Civil can work with contruction of hydro and costal power generation. Mechanical can work on such things as trubines and wind generation. Chemical can work with fuel cells and biofuel production. Bio can also work with biofuels. Electrical can work with solar generation. Materials can develop better solar cells and fuel cell membrains.</p>
<p>what do you want to do? develop new materials, would that be chemical synthesis for polymers or new semiconductors for photovoltaics? Would you like to design more efficient wind turbines or more efficient ways to store energy from wind farms? Or how about fuel cell design and integration? The list goes on from all facets of engineering.</p>
<p>Do yourself a favor and forget renewable energy for now and just figure out what type of engineering you think you’ll like.</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking Civil, but I want to make sure there is a way to cross over to the renewable energy field. I wouldn’t want to do ChemE or BioE or make new materials. I’d be more interested in the construction of wind farms or finding ways to apply solar technology to new buildings being made and stuff like that.</p>
<p>Civil or mechanical.</p>
<p>Simple. Study the universal law of [Conservation</a> Of Energy.](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_of_energy]Conservation”>Conservation of energy - Wikipedia) Then find a way around it and then become a multi trillionaire. (And that’s after taxes!)</p>
<p>I’ve been looking into the “Renewable Energy” field for some time, and like Enginearsrfun commented, you’re better off simply choosing the type of engineering you’re likely to enjoy the most.</p>
<p>Take some time to read this Wiki entry for some general info: [Renewable</a> energy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy]Renewable”>Renewable energy - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>When I think of civil engineers, I don’t think of renewable energy at all. Mechanical seems a lot more likely. If you are interested in renewable energy, you should look at programs that are tailored specifically to Green building.</p>
<p>You definitely won’t learn about renewable energy in a civil engineering curriculum. Civil engineers may design the structures for renewable energy generation, but I doubt there’s anybody or any firm that specializes in that.</p>
<p>Environmental Engineering has a direct link to sustainability. Electrical engineering can also work with renewable energy if you specifically study energy systems.</p>
<p>Are you enrolled in college?</p>
<p>Anyway, in 5 years time, most “renewable energy” will revolve around solar, or it will revolve around increasingly efficient batteries. The other stuff–like wind-power–will be very small niche. </p>
<p>Your best for these fields will be materials engineering or electrical engineering.</p>
<p>Ok thanks. I am in college currently. Another thing I’d like if possible is to not have a job where I’m at my desk all day, which is another factor that drew me to engineering</p>