Renewable Energy Program Update: A Year of Growth and Collaboration

 

 The Renewable Energy program at TTU continues to grow, evolving to meet the needs of our students and the industry. Our focus remains on providing a top-tier education and preparing students for successful careers in this vital sector. This year, we’ve made exciting strides, including the introduction of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree. This program, offered both in-person and online, is designed specifically for working professionals with AAS degrees who are looking to take their careers to the next level by earning a bachelor’s degree.

In addition to expanding our degree offerings, we’ve also seen significant growth in our faculty. The number of dedicated faculty members has increased, and our externally funded research projects have reached an all-time high. These advancements are helping to elevate the program’s reputation and enhance the learning experience for our students.

Our students continue to benefit from expert faculty, strong industry connections—especially through our alumni and hands-on learning opportunities. Whether through the Renewable Energy Student Club, study abroad experiences, or internships, our students are gaining valuable real-world experience. One of the highlights of last year was hosting the KidWind competition for K-12 students, an event that drew over 12 local school teams, with 3 teams advancing to the national level. I was so impressed by our student volunteers, who worked tirelessly to host around 85 visitors during the event in Spring 2024. It was truly a team effort, and it couldn’t have happened without them!

On the faculty front, I’m proud to share that we now have 2 continuously appointed faculty members and 3 tenure-track faculty members. In 2024, we also added a new tenure-track position focused on renewable energy cybersecurity. This investment in faculty stability and growth has not only deepened our academic offerings but also led to more research activity, improving our program's reputation and enhancing student outcomes. Our faculty members are publishing in leading journals and conferences, and this year, they’ve embarked on 5 new externally funded research projects. They’re also co- investigators in the newly established Department of Defense-funded Energy Cybersecurity Center an exciting development for the program.

None of this would be possible without the support of our industry partners and alumni. We hosted 10 informational sessions this past year, resulting in internships and job opportunities for our students. This is the ultimate goal of our program, and we couldn’t do it without your ongoing collaboration. I also want to thank the alumni who joined us at the tailgate event, which had over 150 visitors. We are grateful to those who have generously funded the tailgate and supported student travel to the CWC competitions your contributions make a big difference.

Looking ahead, we’re planning to expand our offerings with workshops in cybersecurity, data science, and AI applications in renewable energy. These workshops will offer Continuous Education Credits (CEUs) and Digital Badges, helping professionals stay at the forefront of the field. We’re also focused on strengthening our industry partnerships and collaborations to provide even more opportunities for our students.

As we anticipate changes in the policy landscape, we remain optimistic about the future of renewable energy. With growing energy demands and the increasing profitability of those within the sector, we’re confident that the field will continue to thrive. Together, we can help drive this growth forward.

Suhas Pol, Ph.D. 

Director, Renewable Energy Programs 

Texas Tech University