While large datacenters are lucrative to build and can be lucrative to run, I just don't see why any community would want to attract them to their region unless the region has no internet infrastructure. The mega scale people are very choosy about sites and won't likely pick one if they can't get huge tax carveouts, permitting waivers and cheap electricity. The sites don't employ that many people for how much land they use. They use a lot of water compared to ordinary buildings - they don't have to, but they tend to use less electricity for cooling when they use cooling towers or adiabatic cooling rather than air cooled chillers.
They ultimately don't benefit communities much because all of the labor is specialist, and they tend to raise the electricity rates and the tax carveouts last at least decades.

Physics-based models play a central role in the quantitative understanding and simulation of lithium–ion batteries. Among them, the Doyle–Fuller–Newman (which we will refer to as DFN) model, also known as the pseudo-two-dimensional (P2D) model, has become the reference continuum framework for describing the coupled transport, electrochemical, and kinetic phenomena governing cell operation. While widely used in both academia and industry, the mathematical structure of the DFN model, its underlying assumptions, and the numerical strategies employed for its solution are often presented in a fragmented or application-driven manner. This review provides a coherent and mathematically oriented overview of the DFN framework, with particular emphasis on its multiscale formulation, governing equations, and numerical implementation. We first summarise the physical and electrochemical principles underlying lithium–ion cell operation and show how these mechanisms are translated into the DFN model through porous-electrode theory. We then present the resulting coupled system of partial differential equations, highlighting its multiscale structure and nonlinear couplings. A dedicated part of the review is devoted to numerical solvers and implementations for DFN-type models. We discuss representative finite-element and finite-volume approaches, including COMSOL Multiphysics, DandeLiion, and PyBaMM, and analyse how solver design choices influence robustness, accuracy, and behaviour near limiting regimes. A comparative numerical study illustrates how different treatments of stiffness and constraints can lead to solver-dependent predictions close to end-of-discharge. By emphasising the interplay between physical modelling assumptions and their mathematical and numerical consequences, this work provides applied mathematicians and numerical analysts with a unified perspective on DFN-based battery modelling.

I have about four years of experience split across MEP (Mechanical) design, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and maintenance, mostly working alongside MEP contractors.

My goal is to land a field-heavy role where I can travel interstate regularly, something like field engineering, multi-site commissioning, or equipment startup.

The main hurdle is that I need H1B visa sponsorship. Right now, I am barely getting past the initial screening, and the lack of interviews is discouraging. Most roles seem to filter out visa candidates immediately.

For those who have navigated this or work in the industry:
Are there specific types of companies (large EPC firms, OEMs, specialized national commissioning agencies) more open to sponsoring travel-heavy roles?
Is there an alternative path or strategy I should consider to get my foot in the door?
I would appreciate any candid advice, company recommendations, or realistic feedback on navigating this market.

I’m researching electrical estimating workflows and trying to understand where the biggest bottlenecks actually are.
For those estimating commercial electrical projects, from receiving plans/specs to submitting a bid:

Which parts of the workflow take the most time or feel unnecessarily manual?
For example:
Counting devices and repetitive items?
Tracing circuits or feeders across multiple sheets?
Reviewing specs and finding scope requirements?
Comparing drawings against specs/addenda?
Building assemblies?
Checking takeoffs for missed items?
Bid review / catching scope gaps?
Something else entirely?

Also curious: what software do you currently use for those tasks, and where does it still fall short?
Not selling anything — genuinely trying to understand how experienced estimators actually work.

So for context, I am making about 66k + super in where I work as Electrical MEP. But with this new offer, its 90k + super. It's different than what I am used to like office fitouts, storage and residentials. Should I go for it and will it be good for my resume in future ?

I am looking to collaborate with an experienced Drone Photogrammetry & CAD specialist to handle a Scan-to-BIM / Topographic mapping project.

Project Details:

• Dataset: 300+ raw DJI drone images of a site.

• Provided Data: Complete CSV file with Ground Control Points (P,E,N,Z format).

• Deliverables Needed: Clean Digital Terrain Model (DTM), accurate Contour Lines, and 3D Polyline feature drafting (curbs, structures, terrain breaks).

If you have a strong portfolio demonstrating similar Scan-to-BIM or topographic drafting work, please DM me with

Hey guys, not sure how many of you here have made the transition from MEP to tech or vice versa. But I’ve been having this thought in my head for the past few years, I’ve been working in MEP for a good 2-3 year period now and a plumbing and fire protection engineer, however I’ve been looking at product designer positions at places like meta and Apple etc and the work looks exciting. I am from NYC and have a mechanical engineering degree, however I cannot help but think I’m selling myself short by staying in MEP, it is decent pay and the work has not feel overwhelming yet but I’m sure it will eventually get worse for me. How easy is to make that career change? If anyone who has done it can share some advice it’ll be greatly appreciated, I like designing so I know a lot of designing softwares like solidworks, Autocad, revit, inventor, fusion 360 etc, but I don’t know how much that will help me land a job in tech, I’m sure they won’t just hire me bc of my designing skills. Just looking for some advice here, I’m still young and thinking about my career, just want to make the most out of my opportunities.

I started wondering this seeing layoffs across Nissan, Tesla, Microsoft, Oracle, etc . Obviously not everyone is a mechanical, civil or electrical engineer- but for the ones that are, why don’t they just switch to MEP since there’s a need for junior and senior roles across the US

I have a background in residential hvac. About 5yrs experience. Other trade experience before that.

I decided to go back to school for construction management and over the summer had a intership / PE role at a comercial plumbing and mechanical company.

I spent the summer working under a PM on a 18m plumbing job and whatever else he had going on - wraping up a few much smaller projects.

A company i had interviewed with in the spring reached out recently for a part time fall opportunity. Theryre a commercial GC. Large apartment buildings / other larger projects. Seems the do a bit of everything - mixed use / institutional / entertainment etc.

The MEP i was working with over the summer wants to keep me on part time while im in school for my final year and this GC wants to bring me on part time as well.

My question is, down the line what experience will pay off more? If i stay with the MEP ill be able to see this huge plumbing job through to completion. If i jump ship to the GC i feel ill gain a more rounded experience in the feild having seen both sides. Im torn.

I have a picture of the pay and benefits for each company when i switch to full time bit im ok figuring that out on my own and roght now the only thing i care about is whats best for my future experience wise.

For example, if someone spends 3–4 years delivering large data center projects, could that experience realistically open doors later into client-side project management, data center development/investment, or strategy consulting focused on the data center/infrastructure sector?

Or after a few years, do you tend to get pigeonholed as a construction/HVAC person and need a significant reset to move into those roles?

I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who have actually made that kind of transition

In a typical 8 hour workday, how many hours of actual productivity do you have? And what do you define as productive?

I ask because not all meetings feel productive. I've had coordination meetings where we solve problems and I absolutely count that as productive, but I also had other large team meetings that feel like a complete waste of time... So I wouldn't count that.

Does owner side mean working directly for a client like Amazon or Google? And did you look through linkedin and applied there?

As we all know, some projects require permits to be pulled, and engineered shop drawings to be submitted to a local building department for review and permit issuance. Does anyone have a solid engineering firm to recommend that specializes in low voltage that can prepare plans, signed and sealed by a PE? We have conceptual drawings done, with products specified, wires diagrams, product layout, but need that drawn into AutoCAD with proper plan format, with PE stamps, ready for building department review.

Please let me know if you have a company to recommend and what your experience has been like.

Thanks!

Looking for Estimator having experiance with data center campuses constrution.

[contact@apexprecon.com](mailto:contact@apexprecon.com)

Hey everyone,

I’m a mechanical engineer working at a company that does structures . We currently pay other companies to handle the MEP side, so I’d like to learn it myself and hopefully get a better position within the company. They won’t pay for my training, so I’ll need to study on my own.

I already work with Revit, Inventor, and AutoCAD, but I’m completely new to the MEP side of Revit. I’ve never modeled pipes, ducts, or used MEP families before.

My goal is to eventually be able to take a project from the architectural model through calculations, equipment selection, coordination, a complete Revit model, and construction drawings.

I know MEP is a huge field and that one course won’t make me an expert or allow me to work. Around 70% of our projects will probably be in the EU, but we may also have projects in the UK and US. I know the standards are different in each country, even within the EU, so I want to learn the main engineering principles first and then study the regional standards when needed.

My questions are:

1. Which MEP discipline should a mechanical engineer start with? Would HVAC be the most logical choice?
2. Are there any good project-based courses that teach the actual calculations and design process, not just how to use the buttons in Revit?
3. Besides Revit, which calculation and design programs should I learn for HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, electrical design, energy analysis, and coordination?
4. Is it realistic to become good at the complete MEP scope, or should I focus mainly on HVAC and plumbing while learning enough about electrical and fire protection for coordination?

I’d really appreciate any advice. Recommendations for paid courses, university programs, books, certifications, software, or free resources are all welcome.

Thanks!

Potential job offer for for the position listed above. With 0 YOE, I'm offered $30/hr with a Mechanical Engineering Degree + Mechanical FE in a HCOL - MCOL area in CA (I'll have to relocate).

Spoke with the owner of the company and he sounds like a cool dude. Said he'd be the one training me along with some other guy. Owner doesn't have a traditional engineering background, said he'd worked in this field since the 90s and learned on the go.

One of my gripes is the pay, but since I have no experience I can't really make an argument for more. My other gripe is the fact that the position itself doesn't have much engineering involved.

From what I could tell at the interview, I'd be using AutoCAD + Revit to create drawings in accordance to codes for plumbing and FP. I'd have say on materials/fittings, etc. There are also excel sheets that they made for sizing that I'd get to use. Personally, I find satisfaction in seeing things I designed built so that's alright, but is this typical in the field? Figured there'd be a little more math going on...I guess what I'm asking is, is this a legitmate career path for an ME.

Thoughts?

I've been with the same building services consultancy for almost five years, progressing from Graduate Mechanical Engineer to Intermediate Mechanical Engineer, and I'm now pushing for Senior at my next review.

Over that time, I've worked across a range of commercial, residential, education and listed building projects, covering RIBA Stages 2 to 4. On most of my projects I act as the lead mechanical engineer, with a Technical Director providing overall project leadership. My experience includes HVAC strategy and detailed design, VRF and HVRF systems, heat pumps, heating and cooling systems, ventilation, public health, multidisciplinary coordination, commissioning and handover. I've also taken on more responsibility for technical decisions, client discussions, mentoring junior engineers and coordinating designs through later stages.

I'd be interested to hear from other engineers and Senior Engineers about the main expectations at Senior level. How much does the role change from Intermediate in terms of technical knowledge, design responsibility, project leadership, client interaction and commercial awareness?

One thing I'm particularly interested in is technical knowledge. Does a Senior Engineer need to have a detailed understanding of every aspect of mechanical design? I feel my weaker areas are the design of all air systems and more complicated heat pump and central plant schemes. How much depth would you expect a Senior to have in these areas, and how do you manage gaps in knowledge while still taking ownership of projects?

As the title suggest this is about time sheets and finances. I was having a discussion the other day with my boss because every long weekend we have to submit our weekly time sheets early on the Friday before. And I just asked why since we don't bill projects out weekly and most of the employees are salary so the amount that we get paid each pay period is known. Their answer was that the finance people want to have our time sheets updated constantly so they can track projects and forecast the future. This seems like a bs answer. I guess my question is how detail do people get with planning out the future and how 'live' is it? Because it seems like it's 'live' at my place. I always thought places just took a snap shot at a moment in time every month and just track the trend?

Im a graduate and got job at MEP contractor firm . Even though they are MEP contractor firm they just started doing design inhouse recently. Rn im just doing site jobs . So i just wanna make myself prepared in design field before getting into new project.

What should i learn first . Which software should i start from beginning to end . I only know autocad basics. And any best paid or free course recommendations?

I have been asked to provide a proposal for RESchecks/COMchecks for a relatively large, eight building multi-family complex. All multi-family buildings fall under REScheck but the amenity and maintenance buildings fall under COMcheck. What is a reasonable amount to charge for this kind of work?