Yesterday we explored some promising jobs in the solar and wind industries in the United States. Today we will take a look at the status of some jobs in the United States in the geothermal, biomass/biofuels, and hydropower industries.
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The U.S. renewable energy sector is dominated by growth in solar and wind generation. There are, however, other renewable energies, such as geothermal, biomass/biofuels, and hydropower that offer some promise for employment, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net Online database.
Geothermal
According to a 2015 report by the Geothermal Energy Association, geothermal power plants employ about 1.17 persons per megawatt (MW) at each operating power plant. Careers in the geothermal industry include geothermal production managers and geothermal technicians.
Geothermal production managers. These folks manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities, including maintaining and monitoring geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations. The median wages nationally for geothermal production managers in 2015 were $45.17 hourly and $93,940 annually.
Geothermal technicians. This job entails performing technical activities at power plants or individual installations necessary for the generation of power from geothermal energy sources, monitoring and controlling operating activities at geothermal power generation facilities, and performing maintenance and repairs as necessary. Geothermal technicians can also install, test, and maintain residential and commercial geothermal heat pumps. The median wages nationally for geothermal technicians in 2015 were $18.14 hourly and $37,730 annually.
Biomass
According to the IRENA report, in 2015 indirect and direct jobs related to biomass accounted for 152,000 in the United States. We’ll take a look at jobs for biomass power plant managers and biomass plant technicians.
Biomass power plant managers. Biomass power plant managers manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. They direct work activities at the plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff. They must be familiar with the feedstocks at the plant and the individual regulatory requirements. They inspect biomass gasification processes, equipment, and facilities for ways to maximize capacity and minimize operating costs.The median wages nationally for biomass power plant managers in 2015 were $45.17 hourly and $93,940 annually.
Biomass plant technicians. People in this job are required to control and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed. They must be able to operate biomass fuel-burning boiler or biomass fuel gasification system equipment in accordance with specifications or instructions. Median wages nationally for biomass plant technicians in 2015 were $26.70 hourly and $55,540 annually.
Biofuels
Jobs in biofuels in the United States appear to be in decline or static. Statistics from the IRENA report show that there were 277,000 jobs in the United States in 2015 related to biofuels. Even though ethanol production rose 3.7% in the United States in 2015, employment dropped by 2% because of decreasing labor intensity. Biodiesel production and employment in the United States was unchanged from 2014. We’ll take a look at the employment status of biofuels/biodiesel technology and product development managers.
Biofuels/biodiesel technology and product development managers. Folks with this job define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential. Their tasks include designing or conducting applied biodiesel or biofuels research projects on topics such as transport, thermodynamics, mixing, filtration, distillation, fermentation, extraction, and separation. They must also analyze data from biofuels studies, such as fluid dynamics, water treatments, or solvent extraction and recovery processes. Median wages nationally for biofuels/biodiesel technology and product development managers in 2015 were $63.85 hourly and $132,800 annually.
Hydropower
According to the National Hydropower Association, the U.S. hydropower industry currently employs over 300,000 workers. We’ll look at the jobs of a hydroelectric production manager and a hydroelectric plant technician.
Hydroelectric production managers. These folks manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. They maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations. They must be able to monitor or inspect hydroelectric equipment, such as hydroturbines, generators, or control systems. Median wages nationally for hydroelectric production managers in 2015 were $45.17 hourly and $93,940 annually.
Hydroelectric plant technicians. Hydroelectric plant technicians monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. They operate plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, and battery banks. Median wages nationally for hydroelectric plant technicians in 2015 were $26.70 hourly and $55,540 annually.