GoodFuels

Renewable energy industry providing jobs

The growing domestic ethanol industry has made significant contributions to the American economy over the past several years. Ethanol provided 238,000 jobs in 2007 across all sectors and adding $47.6 billion to the nation’s GDP. This nation’s small town communities benefit from this homegrown, renewable fuel in more ways than one.

The Daily Iowan has taken notice, and published a story this morning about how the renewable energy industry is creating jobs in Iowa and internationally, according to several University of Iowa engineering professors.

Renewable energy is an exciting but challenging industry, he said. Every area requires additional research and infrastructure development before it can be mass-distributed, which is good news for college students interested in renewable energy.

Engineering Professor Keri Hornbuckle said an increasing number of engineers are pursuing renewable energy and that there is a “tremendous demand” for these workers.

The future of the ethanol industry rests with students like Mazzin Alnijoumi, who are passionate about biofuels and improving current technologies to make processes more efficient.

“I hope that I can invent new materials that can last forever,” Alnijoumi said. “If you ever watched the movie Back to the Future when the professor put garbage in the car tank so he can get some energy to operate the vehicle … I believe that can happen.”

Check out the whole story here.