Engineering fields in sustainability with a mechanical engineering degree??

I am not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I am hoping there are students here studying mechanical engineering who may be able to assist. I am considering doing a mechanical engineering degree. I want to focus my discipline on sustainability, and it is my understanding that mechanical engineers are at the forefront of this change. I haven't yet decided on a specific field because my research into mechanical engineering has told me it covers everything. So, any help that could be offered would be fantastic, thanks

Mechanical engineering at university will focus on the science & theory behind mechanical systems, this of course is directly applicable to all sorts of both renewable & sustainable technologies wether directly involved in energy generation or applications depending on the “clean” energy

So, by learning the science and theory of how solar panels work for example, I could discover a way and if possible or feasible a way to implement solar panels that could power up through small wind turbines when it is night time in order to charge that little extra, especially in countries like the U.K. where the wind is pretty mental?

Solar pannels aren’t inherently mechanical, so you wouldn’t learn about the photovoltaic phenomena that converts sunlight into useable electrical energy. But you could work on systems that leverage PV technology, for example PV panels rotate as the the sun crosses the sky - the system that enables rotation and control is mechanical. Or the manufacturing process of PV systems is almost certainly mechanical. Although PV technology is relatively simple to understand for a mechanical engineer (or anyone with a hard science background).
Wind turbines are a much better example of mechanical science involved in renewable energy, you have fluid mechanics in the fundamental technology, driving an electric motor which has all sorts of thermodynamic, kinematic & solid mechanics involved. (All of the science in this will be taught in mechanical engineering).
And more complex systems, such as nuclear fission & fusion, gas-turbine generators on clean fuels, renewable fuel refining, carbon capture etc all have lots of mechanical involvement.
TBH photovoltaic is probably the worst example for mechanical engineering.

Now that I think of it, I can’t imagine there’s much happening with a solar panel as it just sits there lol. I suppose that was a bad example. It was just more of a thought I had on the top of my head as to why has that idea not been implemented lol.

Thank you for defining mechanical engineering from a sustainable point for me.

My background experience comes from highway engineering and although I enjoyed it, I didn’t find much fulfilment from it and so I wanted to find something would align with my personal goals and improve my prospects, too.

I am personally torn between civil and mechanical engineering.

I am not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I am hoping there are students here studying mechanical engineering who may be able to assist. I am considering doing a mechanical engineering degree. I want to focus my discipline on sustainability, and it is my understanding that mechanical engineers are at the forefront of this change. I haven't yet decided on a specific field because my research into mechanical engineering has told me it covers everything. So, any help that could be offered would be fantastic, thanks

Hi there,
I'm currently in my 4th year of study for my mechanical engineering masters degree at Coventry university and I found that mechanical engineering will definitely open up job opportunities for you after your degree definitely in sustainability fields where you can put your mechanical theory to work towards a passion for sustainability. Mechanical engineering also makes you inherently very hireable just because it is so open ended and doesn’t close many doors at all.
This semester I even had a module on clean energy and really enjoyed it as it taught the theory behind the clean energy technologies the sociological factors and the political factors focusing on environment and clean energy, I also know that next year you can choose a sustainable pathway with two of your core modules then being associated with various environmental and sustainability modules.
However if you know you're really interested in clean energy and sustainability I could also recommend studying a environmental and sustainability degree which some universities like Coventry offer.
Definitely do some research see which courses you're applying for and whether they have sustainable modules - or offer sustainability degrees.
Hope this helps
Amber
Coventry university student ambassador

I am not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I am hoping there are students here studying mechanical engineering who may be able to assist. I am considering doing a mechanical engineering degree. I want to focus my discipline on sustainability, and it is my understanding that mechanical engineers are at the forefront of this change. I haven't yet decided on a specific field because my research into mechanical engineering has told me it covers everything. So, any help that could be offered would be fantastic, thanks

Hey,
It’s great to hear from someone that’s still in the middle of their studies.
Being open-ended is part of the problem in my opinion. I am writing my personal statement, and other than my passion for sustainability, defining why mechanical engineering is the right path to get me there has me a little confused, considering a lot of the graduate schemes I have looked at and companies specialising in sustainability are happy to accept almost any engineering field background.
From what I understand. Mechanical engineering focuses a lot on energy transference in various fields, static, dynamics, vibrations, etc.
I suppose to some degree, they’re the appetiser of dinners, if a main dish was a thermal power plant, they’d be responsible for designing and choosing the right size and material of the pipes capable of cooling the plant efficiently enough, before other engineers come into play, like civil engineers.
There is a MSc in sustainability engineering with a placement I am considering pursuing after my bachelor's. Either that, or look into a graduate scheme.

Hi,
Glad to hear that some additional advice helps to you in a different direction or just contributed to what you already decided to do - a sustainability additional masters after your engineering degree could definitely be a great option for you!
Just in regards to what mechanical engineering tends to study and why you might want to justify on your personal statement I would say that it really helps to get a basic understanding of how everything in life works it looks at the movement of all energies and it can be described as the application of physics into the real world problems so if you're interested in understanding how things work I would always recommend mechanical engineering.
Wishing you the best of luck with your personal statement
Amber
Coventry university student ambassador

If you study mechanical engineering you don't have to specialise in a particular subfield within it at university. If you want to work in sustainability, you could possibly take some relevant modules at university, but ultimately it will come down to securing a related job after university.
Is there any particular area within sustainability you're interested in?