Ever wondered about tapping the sun’s rays to run a car? Or windmills as a viable option for generating electricity? If you have, then energy studies may be right up your alley. A multidisciplinary field, energy studies deals with all aspects related to energy, which includes but is not limited to energy conservation, energy management and alternative fuels. Also, with the growing worldwide concern over energy conservation, the importance of energy studies cannot be emphasised enough, says Leena Srivastava, executive director of Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI), Delhi.

Taking advantage of this rising interest, several universities and institutes are offering courses in this up-and-coming field. “The University of Pune (formerly the University of Poona) offers a two-year MTech programme in energy studies. The eligibility for doing this is a bachelors of engineering (BE) degree in mechanical or electrical engineering or an MSc in physics,” says S.V. Ghaisas, director of the School of Energy Studies, University of Pune. Engineering graduates with credits in energy studies can also apply. There are 22 seats on offer and students can specialise in areas such as thermodynamics and analysis of the efficacy of hydrogen fuel.

In Calcutta, Jadavpur University (JU) offers an MTech in energy science and technology. Students are required to have a bachelors in any engineering field or an MSc in physics, chemistry and applied mathematics. In addition, they have to clear the GATE to gain entry. “The course primarily focusses on energy conservation, energy management and renewable energy and offers specialisation in solar, thermal, wind and bioenergy along with solar photovoltaics,” says Subhashish Neogi, reader at the School of Energy Studies, JU. The course can take in a maximum of 13 students.

The Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management (IISWBM), Calcutta, offers a two-year postgraduate diploma course in energy management that includes topics like performance analysis of conventional energy and energy conservation measures in non-metal industries. “IISWBM has collaborations with the World Resource Institute and the Association of Energy Engineers in USA which ensures that the programme is of high quality,” says Binoy Choudhury, assistant professor and co-ordinator, energy management at IISWBM. The course has an intake of 10 students.

And for those interested in the management aspect of energy studies, Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, offers a postgraduate diploma in business management (PGDBM). The course costs Rs 2.6 lakh and there are 50 seats on offer. “The programme involves one year of classroom training and another three months of project work,” says Professor Atmanand, dean of the School of Energy Management, MDI. “I completed the PGDBM course in energy management from MDI in 2007. It proved to be a great eye opener as it broadened my understanding of the subject and made me aware of the government policies in this sector,” says Sanjiv Chopra, deputy general manager of works at Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi also runs two programmes, an MTech in energy studies and an MTech in energy and environment management. It also awards 14 scholarships as an incentive.

Since it’s a multidisciplinary field, it helps to have a basic first degree in science or engineering before opting for a specialisation. Says S.N. Upadhyay, director of the Institute of Technology at Banaras Hindu University, “We offer an MTech and a BTech in mining engineering where students study the different aspects of coal mining and metal mining along with mineral mining.” Thermodynamics forms a major part of these courses and hence, students tend to do well in energy studies if they have grasped the basics of thermodynamics well.

So what has suddenly made energy studies so popular? Ghaisas has an answer. Energy studies has been identified as a thrust area by the University Grants Commission (UGC), he claims. “I chose this field as I believe that this discipline is going to be of growing importance in the future,” says Dinesh Naskar, doing an MTech in energy studies at Jadavpur University. Also, job prospects in energy studies seem quite bright. From energy auditors to energy analysts and researchers, the choices are mind-boggling. Energy analysts aim to understand the characteristics of energy use and interacts with governments, markets and policies on the issue. Energy auditors are involved in prioritisation of existing energy systems and making the optimum use of alternate energy sources. To be an energy auditor, one has to pass a national level certificate exam conducted by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. “In the prevailing situation, industrial energy analysts and energy auditors have a special role to play,” says Ratan Mondal, lecturer in energy studies at Jadavpur University.

Research is also a good option, especially as there are ample openings for sponsored research. Subandhu Bhattacharya, a student of MSc in energy studies at JU, is specialising in bioenergy and wants to do research in alternative fuel. Also, the salaries in this field are quite handsome. “Our students have received starting salaries up to Rs 35,000,” says Ghaisas. Jobs are also available in energy-intensive industries that have management cells. “Last year, some of our students got offers of Rs 10 lakh per annum,” says Professor Atmanand at MDI. Students are also absorbed by corporate houses like Mahindra and Mahindra, Larsen and Toubro and National Thermal Power Corporation, according to L.M. Das, professor, Engines and Unconventional Fuels Laboratory, Centre for Energy Studies, IIT Delhi.

So take up energy studies and power your way to a great future.