Last fall, Rose-Hulman debuted the new clean energy minor. This multidisciplinary program provides students with technical skills and economic/political background to understand the complexities of creating affordable, clean energy and using renewable energy sources to solve global energy challenges. The minor will prepare students for careers in an energy industry that is trending towards incorporating more renewable sources.

Associate Professor Ben Mertz, PhD, spearheaded the creation of the minor that will allow students to learn from different disciplinary perspectives and apply their discipline-specific skills toward the adoption of alternative energy sources and implement technologies to make current energy sources more sustainable.

“With the minor, we are really trying to wrestle with the challenges and opportunities centered around creating a more sustainable energy future,” said Mertz. “This means considering economic, political, environmental, reliability, and changing demand requirements alongside of the technical aspects of actually creating and distributing energy.” 

Mertz developed and taught Introduction to Renewable Energy, the first class to be part of the minor. The fall class included 11 students, from sophomores to seniors, with majors that include mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering and engineering design.  

To create the minor, Mertz investigated how renewable energy is being taught at Rose. He looked at classes currently offered in the energy field and evaluated various course syllabi, identifying the ones that would serve as the backbone of the minor. He then determined what classes needed to be developed to allow more students to learn about the energy sector. 

“Our students are going to become industry leaders that will be making decisions related to our energy future by working directly in the energy industry or just as citizens that have a voice in political aspects of energy policy,” said Mertz. “We want to prepare our students to make better informed decisions and consider the impacts of different options.” 

One of those students is Riley Heasley, a junior chemical engineering major and sustainability minor. Heasley has been a passionate advocate for renewable energy since starting at Rose-Hulman and praises the Institute for creating pathways for students to learn about sustainability and clean energy. Her career goal includes working for either a big energy company that uses clean energy or helping an existing energy company transition to renewable energy.

“I really like the idea of being a part of something new and creating change,” said Heasley. “I want my career to impact people’s lives.” 

Heasley took the Introduction to Renewable Energy class and worked with Mertz on an independent research project last summer that focused on hydropower and creating an irrigation system in the garden maintained by the Engineers for a Sustainable World. She used a pump to collect rainwater, which was pumped into a water tower. That water would then be released in the opposite direction, which allowed for energy to be extracted. When energy is extracted, it can then be used to power the pump itself, restore batteries or power other machines. 

A passionate proponent of clean energy, Mertz is part of the campus’ Advancing by Design group that’s focused on educational opportunities related to sustainability. “I am hoping students gain a broader perspective of the industry, understand industry trends, and ultimately decide to make a change toward a cleaner future,” said Mertz.

Mertz is looking for opportunities the minor can be used to help develop a pipeline of excellent students into the industry. As such, he encourages Rose-Hulman alumni working in the clean energy industry to get in contact with him.