Re:Solar and wind are coming. And the power sector isn’t ready
by diafygi on Sunday July 22, 2018 @05:09PM
(#17588948)
Most of the supercomputers in energy are currently at grid operators (in California, it's called CAISO[1]). Lots of interesting neural networks stuff being done to drive the energy futures wholesale markets and grid services events. Those sorts of companies usually go to Grid <whatever>[2][3][4] conferences, so that's a good place to look for companies/agencies hiring (look at the speakers, sponsors, and exibitors). ERCOT in Texas has been particularly innovative with it's wholesale market operations.
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Independent_System_...
[2]: https://sepapower.org/event-complex/grid-evolution-summit-na...
[3]: https://www.greentechmedia.com/events/live/grid-edge-innovat...
Re:Solar and wind are coming. And the power sector isn’t ready
by dragandj on Monday July 23, 2018 @04:00AM
(#17591224)
Hey, this was really useful. Maybe you can help me (and many other potentially interested software engineers) by sharing another key missing piece: what are online places to lurk and gather initial information in this sector?
It is a bit difficult for most people to just know that they like working in some sector, or even to get in contact with the sector's community. Even more so, how to expect prospective software entrepreneurs to even get an idea to work on without contact and info. Of course, they can get out of their house, start going to industry meetings etc. but this requires lots of effort, money, and even moving to another city. Are there "energy HNs" to just follow for some time and try to get to know the business before a more serious involvement?
Politics are at play how ever. My understanding of renewables is they require multi-year, billion dollar projects. The desert I live in, for instance, has a political faction devoted to tourism development. And to develop geothermal here would come up against NIMBYs.
Personally I can program, build super computers, read and communicate math (bs in math). But I don’t know how I could really be hired to help.
As for salaries, energy companies represent some of the largest companies in the world. Just look at what energy money has done for Saudi Arabia. Or all the oil rig drillers who work 4 years and retire a millionaire.