For nearly 40 years, I've worked in the energy industry as a civil engineer in what is known as "Upstream" - developing assets offshore, in deep water, and in extremely cold regions. Civil engineering is essential to create infrastructure, like floating structures, subsea developments, ice-resistant drilling and production bases, etc. It's also an role that, it seems, is always working in new areas, with novel challenges and huge static and dynamic forces to contend with. The industry needs all types of engineers - EE's, Mechanicals, Instrumentation E's, Chem E's, etc, as well as touching so many aspects of civil engineering (geotech, structures, surveying, environmental, water, etc). CEs also make great project managers because, I think, all the other engineering aspects have to coordinate with the CE's to assure themself space and efficiency - the CE is the one that "fits it all in," and that gives them the broad view necessary to deliver whole projects successfully.
I think it is a great place for Civil Engineers to make a positive impact on the world and continually develop personally.
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Stephen Balint P.E.,F.ASCE
Balint Consulting LLC
Houston TX
(713)997-0007
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2019 03:01
From: Ali Akhtar
Subject: Energy and Climate
<g class="gr_ gr_38 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="38" data-gr-id="38">Well,</g> this is my first contribution to any post. The post is relevant to my PhD. I have worked on concrete sustainability from an energy and climate point of view. Civil engineers have a significant role to play in energy and climate change and there will be significant advances in the near future which might lead to the idea of sustainability and reduced carbon footprint in different sectors of infrastructure including renewable energy technologies.
This is quite interesting to see what we will have in the future as new inventions and new methodologies will improve the idea of climate change resilient infrastructure. I am definitely looking forward to working in a similar area and would like to contribute as per my capacity.
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Ali Akhtar S.M.ASCE
University of Auckland
Auckland
64211 568194
Original Message:
Sent: 03-22-2019 14:04
From: Paul Lee
Subject: Energy and Climate
I believe there is a strong need for civil engineers in the energy and climate industry. Civil engineers are stewards of the natural and built environment and are well positioned to lead the industry in climate change mitigation/adaptation and renewable energy. I personally work as a civil engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power where I plan and procure large scale wind, solar, geothermal, and hydro facilities. These projects are massive and require civil engineering skills in project management, land development, construction, etc.
I'd like to get others to weigh in on the role of civil engineers in the energy and climate space. Do you currently work in the industry? Are you looking for a career in this sector? What do you think the role of a civil engineer should be? Should our academic curriculum change?
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Paul Lee, P.E.,M.ASCE
Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power
Los Angeles CA
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