Electrical Energy Engineering Education for 21st Century

Abstract

Unprecedented scientific advances present challenges and opportunities for professionals, research and educators alike. Energy industry is the prosperous society cornerstone all crucial socio-economic functions depend on a reliable energy infrastructure. There is growing recognition need to improve, restructure, and revitalize energy engineering curricula. The issues surrounding this theme are receiving significant interests form faculty and often administration. Energy industry professionals are required to have significant techno- scientific capabilities, deep interdisciplinary understandings, and soft engineering skills. However, how and which are the best approaches to educate future engineers, remain an open question. In addition of teaching the traditional courses in power engineering educators must include new topics, e.g. renewable energy, smart grids, or energy management, to mention a few of them while still ensuring a four-year graduation timeframe. A well-designed engineering curriculum must offer a judicious balance between the basic science and mathematics, energy engineering foundations, and hands-on experience, project, communication, management, or economics. The paper is proposing to discuss some of the energy engineering education challenges, issues and opportunities.