ISE and the Energy Industry: Reviews of the Present and Discussion of Future Relationships

Abstract

The Iceland School of Energy (ISE), has been teaching a graduate program in renewable energy since 2008. The ISE by necessity, structure and ownership has a close relationship with the energy industry in Iceland. After 10 years of operation, the ISE decided to take a closer look at university-industry relationship in the form of a 42-question survey targeted at Icelandic energy industry employees. The aim of this report is to investigate relationship with industry that is meaningful to curricula development, research and graduate success. The majority of respondents thought that graduate programs in Iceland should focus on Iceland’s energy strengths, mainly geothermal, hydropower, renewable energy along with the addition of wind power. Out of all energy sectors the third biggest predicted future growth was in the geothermal sector. Engineering is the discipline that will need the most graduate students in the future, followed by data science/computing and natural and mathematical science. Private energy companies will hire the most graduates in the future valuing energy system modeling as the most important technical skill and practical experience as the most important non-technical skill. Geothermal educators need to remain cognizant of the requirement for numeracy and modeling skills. Resource assessment and resource management involve integration of many datasets into various models, for instance geological, geophysical conceptual, and reservoir models. Practical experience has always been of importance in geothermal training, and its continuing significance means geothermal courses should continue to include internships and other means for students to gain work and practical experience in geothermal utilization.