Project Overview

1
Engineering Opportunities in the Electric Power
Industry
Tom Ferguson Vice President -Power
Delivery Minnesota Power
UMD ECE 1001 November 5, 2002
2
Engineering as a Career

• Engineers versus Scientists
• Value of liberal education courses
• A typical day at work
• Role of communication skills
• How it changes lives

3
Elements of a Power System

• Generation
• Transmission
• Distribution
• Other

4
New Areas of Specialization

• Superconducting wire and transformers
• Space physics
• Complex non-linear networks
• Energy Management Systems
• Power electronics/DC transmission

5
New Areas of Specialization

• Distributed generation/renewables
• Telecommunications
• Artificial intelligence
• Power quality
• Variety of civil, structural, mechanical,
  chemical, environmental, industrial engineering
  needs

6
The Attraction . . .

• Draws heavily on math and physical sciences
• Heavy interaction with other engineering
  disciplines
• Satisfaction of filling critical role in society
• Very capital intensive

7
US 3 million
8
Major Employers

• Utilities
• Power Marketers
• System Operators
• Manufacturers
• Consulting Firms

• Regulators
• Education
• Research and Development

9
Nature of the Industry

• 14 Internet load
• Manufacturers moving abroad
• Power engineering programs in decline
• RD at historic low, but . . .
• Deregulation
• Remains very peer oriented

10
Nature of the IndustryUndergraduate Enrollments
11
Challenges of the Future

• Growing demand (3-5 nationally)
• Increasing reliability focus
• Siting lines and plants
• Energy sources
• Energy conversion technologies

12
Challenges of the Future

• Environmental impacts
• Integrating distributed generation
• Attracting capital to build
• Workforce
• Power engineering education

13
Engineering as a Career

• Engineers versus Scientists
• Value of liberal education courses
• A typical day at work
• Role of communication skills
• How it changes lives

14
Engineering as a Career

• Pursue registration
• Be a spokesperson for technology
• Develop communication skills
• Understand business
• Get involved in industry, community
• Carry the right attitude
• Always, always learn

15
How Will We Supply Power in 2102?
This Room Is Equipped With Edison Electric
Light Do Not Attempt to Light with Match. Simply
Turn Key on Wall by the Door. The use of
electricity for lighting is in no way harmful to
health, nor does it affect the soundness of sleep.
16
Good Luck!