The global search for renewable energy continues—and so do the projects.

Let's face it, few industries are experiencing much growth these days. But energy is one to watch, says David L. Pells, PMP, San Francisco, California, USA-based president of the project management news and information website PM Forum.

"This sector represents enormous potential demand for project management and project managers as we can easily anticipate thousands of programs and projects in the energy sector-and in all those industries and organizations connected to energy"," Mr. Pells says in his chapter, "New Frontiers for Project Management: Nanotechnology and Future Energy" in Project Management Circa 2025.

"Energy and renewable energy have been front and center in the press and in the national and international news," says Mr. Pells. "It happens every time the price of oil goes up and the supply is discussed. It's pretty widely recognized now that future energy supplies must lie with renewables and alternatives."

Public support for ending our reliance on oil for energy is growing, but he says it isn't simply about doing the right thing for the environment.

As petroleum reserves continue to dry up over the next few decades, the energy industry will be forced to find innovative alternatives-which will translate to thousands of projects over the next 20 to 40 years, Mr. Pells says.

"In addition, as populations and economies continue to grow, future energy requirements will increase," he says in his chapter.

"Solutions to this problem are not only an economic issue but a social imperative. This will lead to massive new investment into alternative, sustainable and technology-based energy solutions."

Because of policy changes, incentives and government support, he explains, countries around the world have started working on the problem.

Ecuador, for example, is building a new dam is being that aims to provide 40 percent to 50 percent of its energy. And in Africa, discussions continue on a project to build massive dams on the Congo River.

In the United States, the Department of Energy has launched major programs for developing and improving technology for biomass power and biofuels.

The global picture points to massive opportunities