Switching EE fields to Power
Switching EE fields to Power
(OP)
Hello, I am new to this forum and don't see anything about education in the FAQ so here it goes:
I am an electrical engineer and have been working in the RF/microwave field for about 6 years. A little of that was before I got my master's, most of it after.
At this point I would like to switch to working in the wind power industry and am trying to figure out the best way to do that. Staying on the engineering/technical side may not even be the best way to do that, I don't know.
But to keep the questions focused - If I need to go back to school, which universities are recommended for getting a master's in power that also focuses on renewable energy sources?
Can power engineers find work directly with wind power companies? Or does the power engineer work for a company that has the wind power company as a customer and so finds it being only part of his job?
If you have any other comments that you think might help, I would greatly appreciate them.
Thanks,
Matt
I am an electrical engineer and have been working in the RF/microwave field for about 6 years. A little of that was before I got my master's, most of it after.
At this point I would like to switch to working in the wind power industry and am trying to figure out the best way to do that. Staying on the engineering/technical side may not even be the best way to do that, I don't know.
But to keep the questions focused - If I need to go back to school, which universities are recommended for getting a master's in power that also focuses on renewable energy sources?
Can power engineers find work directly with wind power companies? Or does the power engineer work for a company that has the wind power company as a customer and so finds it being only part of his job?
If you have any other comments that you think might help, I would greatly appreciate them.
Thanks,
Matt






RE: Switching EE fields to Power
RE: Switching EE fields to Power
Regards
Marmite
RE: Switching EE fields to Power
Since you didnt indicate what country you are in, I can give you a couple of well respected power engineering programs in the USA. You can look at both the University of Idaho (www.uidaho.edu) and Washington State University (www.wsu.edu). Both offer engineering outreach programs that I have used ( I am a practicing power engineer). Other options are GA Tech, University of Wisconsin - Madison. Hope these help.
Regards.
Eleceng01
RE: Switching EE fields to Power
RE: Switching EE fields to Power
Other possibilities are Wentworth Institute and WPI, and of course, MIT.
RE: Switching EE fields to Power
RE: Switching EE fields to Power
RE: Switching EE fields to Power
Good luck
RE: Switching EE fields to Power
Having made the same switch I would like to make I've got a more in-depth question for you.
When you made the switch, what amount of re-education did you get and did you find it sufficient or over/under based on subsequent work experience?
And thanks for the advice about the PE license.
Matt
RE: Switching EE fields to Power
I have done quite a bit of work in the wind industry. I would say that modern machines would require knowledge of VFD and such as these seem to be popular. PLC programming is also used extensively.
Protecion is another very intersting area of study that is also greatly affected by induction machines connected to long lines and weak systems.
I would agree that a PE would probably be a better bet than a masters. Depending on your age and financial requiremetns, I would recommend getting as much practical experience in the field as possible. As someone earlier said, it is not just the red and black wire.
Good luck.