We are now moving towards new "Green Economy" Wind, Solar, Green Building, Geothermal are growing. What kind of new Challenges and Opportunities are created for Automation Engineers in this new time?

Each of the new energy sources you cite will have some process-specific requirements that automation engineers will have to master. However, I think the larger challenges are the following two.

First, control of the energy sources into buildings and commercial enterprises will take on a more multivariable characteristic than that of the past. It won't be either a single fossil fuel source (even if one is expanding beyond a fuel gas/oil base load and a by-product stream) or a single electrical feed from a utility. There will be a multiplicity of energy sources to be controlled. In addition to being multivariable, the control problem will probably include discrete decisions and will have affects that cross company boundaries, i.e. between operating and utility companies.

Second, managing constraints will become a more explicit requirement of automation solutions. The continuous process industry is currently an extensive user of optimization based control applications where the objective function is either a traditional linear quadratic regulator formulation or a higher-level one that addresses the economic objective in cash flow terms. Now, we're going to have to include factors such as CO2 emissions in the objective functions used to make the trade-offs in control applications.

Don the point you have expressed is very important.

So we need to redesign the existing Controlled Processes by using low Energy consuming methods and tools and in that case we might need to trade-off with accuracy and precision.

Gentlemen, The technology exists and we are in pursuit of those RES projects and opportunities even as we speak. Especially, residential 12 vdc lighting and service systems using PV solar panels and wind generators with large capacity low draw banks of RV type batteries. Usually with multifuel internal combustion generators to augment with emergency 120VAC, especially HVAC and refrigeration. These projects are bid on a per sq.ft.basis and fine tuned using a thermal heat load survey. These systems are used in conjunction with Energy Star insulation/window specifications, and gas fired heatpump HVAC, and woodburning heatalator with solar panel hot water and space heating systems. Add a .35 factor to the cost of new construction and deduct a .60 factor to the regular utility costs.. They also qualify the home or building owner to qualify for all kinds of tax and business incentives. Thanks and Cheers, R/T

The real challanges are presented in doing the detailed engineering design with heat/power budgets and ROI projections, sliding fuel costs, programmable scada to incorporate detailed metering and switching for optimized energy savings and consumption. System Building control including; power, fire, security, and surveilance systems with remote access, historization, UPS, and backup. Regards, R/T

SCADA world has ruled oil/gas industry since the 1960's and are very well represented in the current "green" technology. There are SCADA controlled wind farms in Palm Springs, CA; Wales UK and every where else; there are solar systems and they are getting larger. I installed solar panels on offshore platforms in 1980's and our biggets problem was prevent them getting stolen. We installed a metal grid to prevent thefts but the thieves just hammered the panels to pieces. Similarly, geothermal project all over the world have been SCADA controlled for at least a couple of decades.
Therefore, I agree, the technology exists and is proven to be adaptable to meet these "green" automation challenges.