Solar energy is one form of environmental friendly power that remains on the upswing. Whatever your opinions on climate change, lessening the dependency on fossil fuels offers benefits that include energy independence as well as the typical advantages to becoming more “green.”

Recent advancements in solar power technology are making it more cost effective to implement at both the home and the business. Let’s take a closer look at how to better encompass the power of the sun by using solar energy.

Solar Power Farms popping up all over the United States

Commercial solar power farms are being implemented all over the United States. The Indianapolis International Airport is the home of the U.S.’s largest airport-based solar power farm. The airport recently saw an expansion that doubled the size of its solar power installation, which now stands at 151 acres capable of generating 31.7 million kilowatts of power — enough for 3,200 average-sized homes.

Airports are finding that leveraging unused space on their property offers a great opportunity for solar power farms, which become a revenue source for the airport. Denver’s international airport is also home to a large solar power farm. Forward-looking engineers need to step up to the plate and help similar solar installations take flight in their own town.

Making a Difference with Solar Power at the Residential Level

Many engineers are taking steps to use solar power at home, by installing panels that continue to drop in price and improve in efficiency. In Austin, Texas, a local energy company is offering credit to customers who make the investment in solar panels for their homes.

Austin Energy hopes that 55 percent of its energy generation will come from renewable sources by 2025. As such, the company is constructing a 600 megawatt solar energy generating plant, as well as a 450 megawatt wind facility. As solar power continues to become cheaper, engineers need to lead the way in showing how its implementation benefits all of us.

If you are interested in exploring a career in renewable energy, talk to the experts at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing agencies in Washington State, we are a great source of Seattle engineering jobs. Schedule a meeting with Talley today!

As the intellect and skills of environmental engineers continue to be leveraged to help battle climate change, one positive impact is the growth of the environmental engineering job market. If you are interested in this engineering discipline or even if you currently work in the field, now is the time to explore opportunities to make a vital difference both locally and on a larger scale.

With that in mind, let’s explore the surge in environmental engineering jobs a bit more closely.

The Green Engineering Job Scene transcends Disciplines

Green engineering initiatives offer hope for an improved environment and they are also providing lucrative opportunities for companies innovating in many areas of engineering. Grant Trump, president and chief executive of Calgary-based Environmental Careers Organization (ECO Canada), feels this is due to the importance of green engineering techniques transcending traditional engineering sectors.

“Environmental employment is cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary. We are the thread that links almost every industry sector in the Canadian economy, because almost every organization has environmental considerations,” said Trump.

Environmental Engineering Innovations abound in many Areas

Everything from waste water treatment to renewable energy benefits from the application of new engineering technology. This has created copious employment opportunities in many locations in the United States and Canada, including the Seattle area. Kathleen Lyons, editor of Green Job Idea Blog, remains bullish on the employment prospects of the environmental engineer.

“Employment in renewable energy, waste-water treatment, forestry and natural resources will grow, but so will adjunct areas such as finance, hospitality, building, skilled trades. In any industry there is an environmental twist. There is a green cast; a new view of the whole work environment. It’s a paradigm shift,” said Lyons.

In short, if you want a green-friendly engineering job, the market remains promising, so make it a point to edit your résumé and brush up on your interviewing skills!

Partnering with a top notch engineering staffing agency is a great call when looking for employment in any engineering sector. As one of the top employment agencies in Washington State, The Talley Group is a perfect source of Seattle green engineering jobs. Make it a point to talk with them today!

The green energy movement has hit almost every industry and technology and now it is coming to elevators. Elevators have come a long way since their inception in 1853 when Elisha Graves Otis invented the elevator safety device for use in lifting. In the past, elevators’ cables breaking was a major safety issue.

Two main elevator improvements have helped to green elevators sand save energy and space—two things that are very important in the green movement. These are the improvements in machine-roomless elevators and improvements in energy consumption.

Machine-roomless elevators, also known as MRL’s emerged as early as 1990. MRLs, allow elevator operational components to fit into the elevator shaft. A small box contains the elevator controller, whereas before an entire room was needed.

Major elevator companies such as Otis, Schindler, Kone Corp and ThyssenKrupp have all developed their own MRL’s for the U.S. and Europe. Europe has been using the technology longer as U.S. building codes and regulations have slowed the process at home.

This technology has really grown and evolved over the past 30 years. They have replaced geared traction elevators that work for five to fifteen floors and are also making a play for the hydraulic elevator market which serve high rise buildings. It currently holds one third of the market and is growing.

Minimizing energy consumption is another goal of the green elevator industry and many companies are engineering great options. Even though MRL elevator manufacturing types can vary, the motors use up to 40 percent less energy than traditional models. The motors are smaller and generate less heat.

Otis Elevator’s Gen2 and HydroFit models save space and energy by capturing energy normally wasted as heat. The model feeds it back to the building’s electrical system for use in other areas. These models increase efficiency by 75 percent by also including LED lighting and automatic sleep mode for lights and fans.

The changes have not only helped the efficiency and design of elevators, but offer a smoother, quieter and safer ride for all elevator passengers.

Contact The Talley Group for the latest and greatest green engineering positions.