Why Study this Subject ?

Before beginning the details of the course, it seems reasonable to think about the subject matter in general and ask the question - why this material? ... is it relevant? ... is it necessary? As citizens in today's framework of a highly developed technological society, we experience a common concern with regard to the use of energy, its development from sources found in nature, its conversion to more convenient forms, its utilization and inherently its waste. There is no doubt in this author's mind that the energy crisis is real, if not immediate, - oil and gas resources that we can reasonably estimate are incredibly small relative to our demonstrated pattern of use - these are the portable and home use sources that we have become accustomed to. Solar energy - direct sunlight and related forms of energy have to be relatively expensive per kilowatt hour for the simple reason that they are distributed and not readily amenable to collection in one place to achieve economies of scale. Hydro power has been virtually exhausted. The result is that coal and in the longer term nuclear energy are the most available and economical sources of energy available to us. Both of these energy sources require careful conversion to a safer form of energy for general utilization ... electricity. Which brings us to the raison d'être for this course.

As engineers, and students of the engineering science, technology and profession, we do not have the convenience of being able to talk about electric energy and its use in vague generalities and well meaning nonsense. We should know what we are talking about. One cannot, as an engineer, glibly talk about improving efficiency in a transportation system, for example, involving electric traction apparatus unless one knows something about electric motors, the circuits providing the power, and the electrical control equipment. Hopefully, this course will provide such a basis from an electrical point of view - with other courses contributing in related areas - thermodynamics, materials, etc.

Quite apart from general interest in energy and environmental issues and resultant speculation as to future technological and sociological developments, the subject of electric power production, distribution and utilization is of interest to engineers because so many of our processes - industrial, commercial, residential - use electric power equipment for convenience, safety and economy. Some expertise in this area is likely to be more of a requirement for the practicing engineer in the future as a greater proportion of our useful energy will be in the electrical form and the increased costs of energy and increased concern over energy waste make the best usage of that energy even more critical.

There is also a virtual explosion in two areas of technology that has impacted on the "power" area. Computer technology enables smarter control, more detailed simulation, faster and more comprehensive analysis, etc. - all of which means that systems are being redesigned, and refitted (also called re-engineering) to make better use of existing facilities, produce increased efficiencies and reduced operating costs. Advances in solid state control devices, often coupled with microprocessors, has created a new generation of drive systems and new opportunities. Deregulation in the electric utility industry is creating new management challenges, new financing arrangements, new trading partners, and new uses for technology. These developments are creating new opportunities for current graduates who understand the use and potential of modern computer systems, computer based networking (e.g. the Internet), digital communications and can apply this knowledge to the power industry. This course is an introduction to the "power engineering field" and may be your gateway to a rewarding future.

Source: Bob Alden. Last update: Jan 16, 2001