Energy engineers design, assess and update electrical power systems for homes, businesses and power plants. They work in various environments, including power plants and offices, and may specialize in conventional or green energy. Continuing education is important to stay up-to-date with technology and regulations.
A power engineer works in the electrical power field to provide stable and reliable sources of power to customers ranging from individual homes to manufacturing facilities with very high power needs. Energy engineers work for regulatory agencies, utility companies, private companies and consulting agencies that offer assistance with energy engineering tasks. They typically have advanced degrees in the field of engineering, as well as experience in the energy industry.
Energy engineers explore topics related to the generation, distribution, transmission and storage of electrical energy. This work can include the design of new systems, as well as assessments of existing grids and equipment to determine when they will need updates and what types of updates may be required. Power engineers can act as safety inspectors to check conditions in operating power plants. As government agents, they can issue fines and citations if non-compliance threatens the health and safety of workers or the general public.
Many energy engineers work in the field of conventional energy, dealing with coal and nuclear power issues as well as hydroelectric facilities. Others may have an interest in green energy and may study alternative fuels, wind turbines, wave energy, solar energy and other topics. Balancing current energy needs with the desire to clean up energy sources can be an important part of an energy engineer’s job; energy companies looking to increase the percentage of energy from sustainable sources, for example, need to meet current needs while working to get new power plants online.
Work environments for an energy engineer can vary. Some work in power plants, which can be hot, noisy and dirty. This work can be dangerous, as engineers must troubleshoot a variety of heavy equipment, some of which may be faulty. Other power engineers spend much of their time in the office working on new technology development, with some lab work for testing purposes.
Like others in the engineering field, an energy engineer may pursue continuing education for career reasons. Conferences, trade publications, research journals and other resources provide an opportunity to learn about developments and trends in the field. This can be important for engineers who want to keep up with the latest technology and want to offer more services to their employers. Knowledge of emerging technology can also help a power engineer adapt to changes in the industry and regulatory climate surrounding electrical power generation and associated services.
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