Marie Lovise Ve, Norway
Former student intern at Landsvirkjun
Name: Marie Lovise Ve
Age: 24
Hometown: Karmøy, Norway
Academic Background: B.Sc. in Energy Technology, Bergen University College, Norway
Major & Class: Sustainable Energy Engineering, Class of 2018
With whom did you intern?
Landsvirkjun, The National Power Company of Iceland.
How did you find your internship opportunity?
I found the internship by contacting both Iceland School of Energy and Landsvirkjun.
What project did you work on in your internship?
Together with three other students from my class, I researched Iceland's potential for the start of an offshore wind industry. We considered several factors, such as wind speed and water depth, etc., and did a preliminary study on which areas would be better suited for an offshore wind farm. My main task was to look into the technology trends in the offshore industry from the very beginning.
What did you enjoy the most?
I really enjoyed getting to see Landsvirkjun from the inside and the freedom our supervisor gave us with the project.
What were your biggest challenges?
Our biggest challenge was separating the details from the bigger picture. In doing the case study we struggled to find accurate costs for the solutions we had chosen, and we had to learn to live with estimates.
How did this internship help your career?
Seeing as I am very interested in wind, and would like to pursue a career working in the wind industry, it definitely helped. I've learned a lot about the history of offshore wind, and I've gotten to know Iceland's national power company better.
How did it compliment your studies at ISE?
Even though it's technically a class you take through ISE, it doesn't feel like it, because you're also working with a company. It's a nice break in the everyday life of a student. In my case, the internship was what gave me my thesis topic, so I'm grateful for the opportunity.
What advice do you have for future students?
Don't let yourself give up on the internship you want, and don't hesitate to contact companies on your own.