Renewable Energy and Sustainability Internship Program
in MECHANICALAbout this course
Renewable Energy & Sustainability Internship Program: 6-Week Structured Learning and Experience
Introduction
The Renewable Energy & Sustainability internship is designed to introduce participants to the core concepts of sustainable energy systems and environmental responsibility. It offers a deep dive into various renewable energy sources including solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal. Participants will explore energy policies, carbon footprint analysis, smart grids, sustainable practices, and real-world renewable energy applications.
Ideal for aspiring environmental engineers, energy consultants, and sustainability advocates, this internship emphasizes project-based learning, critical analysis, and solution-oriented thinking. The internship concludes with a capstone project aimed at proposing a renewable energy solution tailored to a local context.
Program Highlights
Week 1: Foundations of Renewable Energy and Sustainability
· Introduction to Renewable Energy
• Task: Research and write a report on different types of renewable energy sources.
• Outcome: A 500-word report comparing solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal energy.
· Understanding Sustainability
• Task: Create a presentation on the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, social, economic).
• Outcome: A 5-slide presentation explaining each pillar with real-world examples.
· Solar Energy Technologies
• Task: Research and explain the working of photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems.
• Outcome: A 400-word comparative report with diagrams.
Week 2: Renewable Energy Sources in Action
· Wind Energy Basics
• Task: Study wind turbine components and their working principle.
• Outcome: A labeled diagram with brief explanations for each part.
· Hydroelectric Power Generation
• Task: Analyze how hydroelectric plants generate electricity.
• Outcome: A 500-word case study of a real or conceptual hydroelectric plant.
· Biomass and Bioenergy
• Task: Write a report on how organic materials are used to generate energy.
• Outcome: A 400-word report explaining types and uses of biomass energy.
· Geothermal Energy
• Task: Research geothermal energy sources and their applications.
• Outcome: A two-page document highlighting key uses, advantages, and challenges.
Week 3: Efficiency, Carbon, and Transport
· Energy Efficiency in Buildings
• Task: Identify energy-saving techniques in buildings.
• Outcome: A checklist of 10 energy efficiency improvements for homes or offices.
· Carbon Footprint Analysis
• Task: Calculate your household’s carbon footprint using an online tool.
• Outcome: A one-page reflection including findings and suggested reduction strategies.
· Sustainable Transportation
• Task: Compare electric vehicles (EVs) with conventional vehicles in terms of sustainability.
• Outcome: A 500-word report with comparisons and relevant statistics.
Week 4: Policy, Global Trends, and Waste
· Renewable Energy Policies in India
• Task: Study government initiatives and programs promoting renewable energy in India.
• Outcome: A summary of 3 key policies/missions such as PM-KUSUM, National Solar Mission, etc.
· Global Renewable Energy Leaders
• Task: Research top countries leading in renewable energy adoption.
• Outcome: An infographic showing top 5 countries with renewable energy percentages.
· Waste to Energy Technologies
• Task: Learn about technologies that convert waste into usable energy.
• Outcome: A 300-word concept note explaining the WtE process with examples.
Week 5: Sustainable Systems and Innovations
· Sustainable Agriculture Practices
• Task: Research how renewable energy supports modern sustainable farming.
• Outcome: A case example such as solar-powered irrigation or biogas-based farming.
· Smart Grids and Energy Storage
• Task: Explore how smart grids and batteries help integrate renewable energy.
• Outcome: A labeled diagram with explanation of smart grid architecture and storage role.
· Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuels
• Task: Compare emissions and environmental harm caused by coal, oil, and natural gas.
• Outcome: A data chart with a 300-word interpretation and insights.
Week 6: Green Certifications, Careers, and Final Proposal
· Green Certifications and Standards
• Task: Research green building certification programs like LEED, GRIHA, etc.
• Outcome: A comparison table of 3 certification schemes with key evaluation criteria.
· Career Opportunities in Renewable Energy
• Task: Explore various job profiles and skill sets required in the renewable sector.
• Outcome: A list of 5 job roles with brief descriptions and required qualifications.
· Community-Based Renewable Projects
• Task: Study a small-scale renewable energy project that empowered a rural or underserved community.
• Outcome: A one-page case study with key takeaways and community impact.
· Final Project Proposal
• Task: Propose a practical, small-scale renewable energy solution for your college or local community.
• Outcome: A 2-page concept note detailing the solution’s objectives, design, expected impact, and cost estimate.
Expected Outcomes
By the end of this internship, participants will:
· Understand various renewable energy technologies and their applications.
· Evaluate environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability.
· Perform carbon footprint analysis and suggest energy-saving strategies.
· Learn about Indian policies and global trends in renewable energy.
· Explore green certifications and career paths in the sustainability domain.
· Develop a community-oriented renewable energy project proposal
Requirements
Laptop
Internet Connection
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To gain foundational knowledge of major renewable energy sources and understand their roles in reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
To explore the core concept of sustainability and understand the balance between environmental, social, and economic factors.
To understand the working principles, advantages, and differences between photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems.
To understand how wind energy is converted into electricity and identify the components of a wind turbine system.
To understand how moving water is harnessed for electricity generation and explore real-life hydroelectric plant operations.
To understand how organic materials are converted into energy and explore the role of biomass in sustainable energy systems.
To explore the natural heat resources within the Earth and their applications for sustainable energy production.
To identify practical and cost-effective energy-saving strategies in buildings that reduce environmental impact and utility costs.
To evaluate personal or household environmental impact and identify ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To evaluate the environmental and economic advantages of electric vehicles (EVs) over traditional combustion engine vehicles.
To understand India’s policy landscape supporting the transition to renewable energy.
To analyze global progress in renewable energy and identify countries leading in clean energy adoption.
To explore how municipal or industrial waste can be transformed into a source of clean energy.
To understand the role of renewable energy in promoting environmentally friendly farming methods.
To understand how digital technologies and storage systems enable efficient integration of renewables into the power grid.
To evaluate the environmental consequences of using fossil fuels by analyzing their emission profiles.
To understand green building standards that promote energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
To explore and understand the diverse job roles emerging in the growing renewable energy industry.
To study how small-scale renewable energy systems empower rural or underserved communities.
To develop a practical project idea applying renewable energy for real-world benefits in your local context.
