What Do Electrical Power Engineers Do?

Electrical power engineers design, control, maintain, and retrofit electrical systems to meet energy needs and address safety concerns. This work typically requires a degree in electrical engineering or a related topic. Employment prospects can vary by nation and economic climate. Energy needs tend to increase in developing nations and countries with economic booms, while they may drop in periods of economic depression, when there is less investment in infrastructure and development.

One aspect of the work done by electrical power engineers is the design of new systems. This includes generation plants along with attached transmission and distribution systems to get energy where it needs to go. This work can involve the development of new technology, or the creation of systems to support emerging technology. Electrical power engineers may work with very high tech equipment and have an opportunity to engage in research as well as commercial development.

On existing systems, electrical power engineers make maintenance and repair decisions to keep the system running. They can also assess systems to determine whether they meet a documented need. If work is necessary to upgrade a system for increased demand or safety reasons, an engineer does the designing and planning to make the process run smoothly. Electrical power engineers can conduct site visits to supervise energy workers and make sure their plans are being followed by personnel.

In emergencies involving electrical power, engineers are part of the response team. They can make decisions about how to shift energy demands to accommodate a temporary shutdown. Their goal is typically to limit power disruptions for customers while they identify a problem and develop a fix. Electrical power engineers may need special certifications for activities like working on nuclear power plants, where safety issues can be considerable in an emergency situation.

People with an interest in electrical power engineering may be able to start work with a bachelor's degree in the field, although a graduate degree can be helpful. Many electrical power engineers belong to professional organizations for networking and development purposes. They may subscribe to trade journals, attend conferences, and follow research and development to keep abreast with the field, even if they are not actively involved in the development of new systems. This can help an engineer prepare in the event a plant needs to switch over to new technology, or when an employer requests an evaluation to determine if a plant should be retrofitted or scrapped.