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Science & ResearchISCO 2142

Hydropower engineer

A hydropower engineer is a person who researches, designs and plans the construction of the facilities that generate electricity from flowing water. The work begins by looking for the optimal location, taking into account the available head, the flow and how both vary through a year.

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Check yourself in a minute: hydropower engineer

Rate 5 of the 29 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

perform risk analysis

troubleshoot

perform scientific research

use technical drawing software

manage engineering project

About hydropower engineer

Testing comes before designing. The engineer runs tests and tries different materials to reach the best result, operates scientific measuring instruments to collect data on the site, and performs risk analysis. The results of this testing and analysis feed into the design of the facility and the choice of its location.

Design work is electrical and civil at once. The engineer designs power systems, produces the drawings, works from engineering fundamentals and from the operating principles of electronic equipment, and troubleshoots what the design throws up. Microgeneration technologies belong to the same knowledge, as used in small hydro schemes.

Two further obligations shape the outcome. The engineer develops strategies for generating energy more efficiently, and analyses the environmental consequences. A hydropower scheme changes a river: its flow, its temperature, its sediment and the movement of fish through it.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (29)

energy transformationenergy transformationThe processes undergone by energy when changing its form from one state into the other.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.CAM softwareCAM softwareDifferent tools for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpie...hydroelectricityhydroelectricityThe generation of electrical power through the usage of hydropower, which uses gravitational force of moving water, and the benefits and negative aspects of using hydropower as a renewable source of e...electronics principleselectronics principlesThe study of electric energy, more specifically electron, control and its prominent principles regarding integrated circuits and electrical systems.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.electrical power safety regulationselectrical power safety regulationsThe compliance with safety measures which need to be taken during the installation, operation, and maintenance of constructions and equipment which function in the generation, transmission, and distri...project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.energy micro-generation technologiesenergy micro-generation technologiesThe technologies which allow the small-scale generation process of harvesting low carbon sources such as the sun, wind, or water flow, to produce heat or electricity. Energy micro-generation technolog...energy efficiencyenergy efficiencyField of information concerning the reduction of the use of energy. It encompasses calculating the consumption of energy, providing certificates and support measures, saving energy by reducing the dem...CAD softwareCAD softwareThe computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.resource-efficient technologiesresource-efficient technologiesSustainable technologies which allow to produce more value using limited resources while reducing the impact on the environment, restraining the risks of scarcity.marine energymarine energyThe energy generated from the natural movement of water such as ocean waves, tides, currents as well as from water temperature differences as thermal energy of deep cold water. Moreover, it is harness...renewable energyrenewable energyThe different types of energy sources which cannot be depleted, such as wind, solar, water, biomass, and biofuel energy. The different technologies used to implement these types of energy to an increa...perform risk analysisperform risk analysisIdentify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.manage engineering projectmanage engineering projectManage engineering project resources, budget, deadlines, and human resources, and plan schedules as well as any technical activities pertinent to the project.use CAM softwareuse CAM softwareUse computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.examine engineering principlesexamine engineering principlesAnalyse the principles that need to be considered for engineering designs and projects such as functionality, replicability, costs and other principles.design electric power systemsdesign electric power systemsConstruct generation plants, distribution stations and systems and transmission lines to get energy and new technology where it needs to go. Use high tech equipment, research, maintenance and repair t...promote innovative infrastructure designpromote innovative infrastructure designThroughout the coordination of an engineering project, promote the development of infrastructure that is innovative and sustainable, in line with the latest developments in the field.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.draw blueprintsdraw blueprintsDraw layout specifications for machinery, equipment and building structures. Specify which materials should be used and the size of the components. Show different angles and views of the product.operate scientific measuring equipmentoperate scientific measuring equipmentOperate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
Optional (8) — show
oceanographyoceanographyThe scientific discipline that studies oceanic phenomena such as marine organisms, plate tectonics, and the geology of the ocean bottom.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.automation technologyautomation technologySet of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems.promote sustainable energypromote sustainable energyPromote the use of renewable electricity and heat generation sources to organisations and individuals, in order to work towards a sustainable future and encourage sales of renewable energy equipment, ...research ocean energy projectsresearch ocean energy projectsConduct wave and tidal energy project research and develop the projects from concept to delivery.inspect facility sitesinspect facility sitesInspect the land of a possible construction site for distribution facilities by measuring and interpreting various data and calculations by using the appropriate equipment. Check if the field work is ...use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.promote environmental awarenesspromote environmental awarenessPromote sustainability and raise awareness about the environmental impact of human and industrial activity based on the carbon footprints of business processes and other practices.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

energy systems engineer15 shared essential skillshydropower technician15 shared essential skillsrenewable energy engineer11 shared essential skillsalternative fuels engineer10 shared essential skillselectric power generation engineer10 shared essential skillsgeothermal engineer10 shared essential skillsoffshore renewable energy engineer10 shared essential skillsonshore wind energy engineer10 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a hydropower engineer do?

Hydropower engineers research, design and plan the building of facilities that generate electricity from the movement of water. They search optimal locations, conduct trials and try different materials to achieve the best result. Hydropower engineers develop strategies for more efficient energy production and analyse environmental consequences.

What skills does a hydropower engineer need?

A hydropower engineer needs 29 essential skills, including energy transformation, engineering principles, CAM software, hydroelectricity, electronics principles.

Will AI replace hydropower engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for hydropower engineer is 55/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: energy efficiency, technical drawings, use CAM software. Most resilient: electricity, energy micro-generation technologies, oceanography.

AI Replacement Risk

55/ 100
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Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills29

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