Energy Systems Engineering (ESE)
Overview
The core of Energy Systems Engineering is mechanical engineering for design, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer; and industrial engineering for system and process improvement and optimization. Energy courses are included to involve systems assessment and efficiency improvement as well as regulations, sources, storage and distribution of energy supply. Business applications are included in terms of financial analysis of alternatives as well as project and operations management. ESE is a flexible degree designed to meet industrial needs for both companies who supply energy in terms of generation and regulations as well as companies who are heavy consumers of energy in terms of efficiency improvement and cost reductions.
Skills that MECOP Energy Systems Engineering interns develop include an understanding of processes, systems, and designs that generate or utilize energy. In addition, interns focusing on Energy Systems Engineering often learn about project and operations management, enhance problem-solving and teamwork skills and gain experience in company-regulator interactions.
The broad base of skills opens many possibilities for Energy Systems Engineering jobs. Interns would benefit from performing either mechanical or industrial engineering applications, particularly on their first internship.
Key Course Highlights
- Strong Fundamentals in Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry
- Statistics, Dynamics and Electrical Fundamentals
- Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer
- Systems Optimization and Simulation
- Energy Systems Assessment and Regulations
- Energy Regulation, Storage, and Distribution
- Quality and Applied Statistics
- Project and Operations Management
Internship Project Samples
- Energy System Assessment to Improve Efficiencies
- Optimization of Energy Sources to Reduce Costs
- Simulation of Systems to Reduce Energy Consumption
- Analysis of Heat Transfer and Fluid Flows in Systems
- Implementation of Work Stations to Improve Processes
- Cost Analysis of Replacing Process Components
- Project and Operations Management
Internship History
Active Company Participants
The following participating companies have taken ESE students in the recent past (within the last 5 years):
- A-dec
- Daimler Trucks N.A.
- Garmin AT
- Hyster-Yale Group
- Jacobs MECOP/Portland (Formerly CH2M)
- PCC Structurals
- TE Connectivity
- Warn Industries
Student Participation
Participating Universities
MECOP currently accepts Energy Systems Engineering students from the following universities:
Internship Timeframes
The following timeframes have been laid out by our participating universities for when an internship should be offered. These timeframes have been structured to allow students to participate in the program and not fall behind on their upper-division coursework schedule beyond the terms that internships overlap.
Oregon State University
- Junior Year: Spring-Summer Internship
- Senior Year: Spring-Summer Internship
- Spring-Summer Internship: Internship occurring during Spring and Summer school terms (March through September).
- Summer-Fall Internship: Internship occurring during Summer and Fall school terms (June through December).
Coursework Requirements
Each participating university discipline has a set of required courses that must be taken to stay on schedule for program participation. Theses requirements are optimized to provide the necessary skills to participate in MECOP's internships while minimizing the amount of time added to receiving a degree. If you are a student and want to discuss your current academic qualifications please see our directory of advisors for a list of staff members familiar with MECOP.
- For a full listing of coursework requirements, please visit: https://www.mecopinc.org/students/course-requirements
- Need a spreadsheet to plan your coursework? For sample worksheets, please visit: https://www.mecopinc.org/students/curriculum-plans
Coursework Requirements:
Academic Advisors
- Need to talk to an advisor familiar with MECOP? For advisor contact info, please visit: https://www.mecopinc.org/universities/advisors