Canada is working towards building a greener future through the development and use of renewable energy. As we work towards goals like having a net-zero carbon emissions electricity grid by 2035, the demand for individuals skilled in the technologies that can make this a reality is steadily increasing.
If you would like to be at the forefront of this effort and work with cutting-edge technology that provides safe and sustainable electricity to our lives, then you should consider a career in energy systems engineering technology.
But what does “energy systems engineering technology” even mean?
Mohawk College’s Energy Systems Engineering Technology students Caileb and Stuart share their knowledge and experiences to explain what energy systems engineering technology is, why it is important and how Mohawk College is leading the industry in preparing students for their future careers.
What does “Energy Systems Engineering Technology” mean?
At first glance, it may be hard to understand what energy systems engineering technology means. Once you break the definition down into parts, it becomes a lot clearer.
“An energy system is a complex network of a lot of different electrical components,” says Stuart “Basically, it’s everything from generation to transmission and distribution.”
Elements of an energy system can include:
- Solar panels
- Wind turbines
- Powerlines
- Batteries
Where “energy systems” refers to the technology that generates, distributes and stores power, “engineering technology” describes how someone interacts with that technology so it can fulfill its purpose.
“You’re managing the processes of technology to harness that power and distribute it somewhere else,” Caileb says.
What is a career in energy systems engineering technology like?
People who work in energy systems engineering technology are often called “engineering technologists”. Their job title may vary depending on their specialization, such as:
- Power Protection Engineering Technologist
- Power Generation Engineering Technologist
- Energy Project Engineering Technologist
Energy systems engineering technologists perform various duties, use a wide range of technologies and often specialize in certain skillsets.
Professional Duties
The role of an energy systems engineering technologist is to work with an energy system to generate, transmit and store electricity safely and efficiently.
“It’s ensuring that the general populus has enough electricity to be able to run everything while not impacting the environment on a detrimental scale,” Caileb says.
For example, an engineering technologist would manage energy systems in case of an emergency, such as a tree falling onto a power line.
“If a power line goes down, we need to be able to make sure that everyone around the area is safe,” commented Stuart.
Other responsibilities of an energy systems engineering technologist can include:
- Designing and drafting energy systems
- Installing energy system elements such as powerlines and generators
- Coding human-machine interfaces
- Performing measurements and calculations related to energy systems
Tools and Technologies
Energy systems engineering technologists use many tools and technologies while on the job.
A commonly used technology is a computer system known as SCADA, short for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.
“SCADA basically encompasses everything from monitoring it (energy) to being able to put it into a format that’s readable by humans,” Stuart says.
SCADA acts as a translator between the energy system and the engineering technologists who control it. By measuring the power in the system in units such as voltage, amps and watts, SCADA can take that data, analyze it, and tell the engineers if there is an issue.
While energy systems engineering technologists do make use of advanced technology regularly throughout their job, their most used tool is something that everyone has.
Caileb says, “I would say the number one tool would be your brain because you have to use problem-solving skills and analytical skills on a daily basis.”
Other tools used by energy systems engineering technologists include:
- Multimeters
- Battery cyclers
- Soldering irons
- Wire testers
- Relay and Current Transformers testers
Career Specialization
Since the role of an energy systems engineering technologist encompasses many different components, most people in the field tend to specialize in working with a specific area of an energy system.
Some areas of specialty can include:
- Energy systems design and drafting
- Construction and installation
- Renewable energy (wind, solar, hydro, etc.)
- Power protection and safety
Much like the energy systems these engineering technologists work with, each person plays an important part in making sure that the system works as intended.
Since each role is so closely linked with one another, energy systems engineering technologists have a lot of career flexibility. Energy systems engineering technologists are trained in all aspects of an energy system, so they can transition from one part of the system to another without having to pick up an entirely new set of skills and knowledge.
“If tomorrow you decide that you’re sick of solar panels, you could move to something like transmission or protection,” Stuart says. “Or, if you really like computers but still really like energy, there’s a bunch of coding you can do to monitor and protect.”
What is the difference between engineering and energy systems engineering technology?
While energy systems engineering technology and fields of engineering such as electrical and mechanical engineering have a lot in common, they are distinct from each other.
One of the main differences between the two is that while engineers focus on the study and research aspects of the engineering field, engineering technologists are the ones who put that knowledge into practice.
“A technologist does things and the engineer thinks things,” Caileb says.
Though they have different focuses, the work that the two roles do goes hand-in-hand. The knowledge and developments of engineers give engineering technologists the information needed to create and maintain energy systems, while engineers need the power generated by those energy systems to study and use it in their research.
“We’re kind of like the backbone of electrical engineering that allows all of the other fields to be able to do what they do,” Stuart says.
Skills of a good energy systems engineering technologist
To be successful as an energy systems engineering technologist, there are a few different hard and soft skills that are quite helpful to have.
Adaptability
The field of energy systems engineering technology is evolving quickly and to fit the need for sustainable energy, energy systems engineering technologists need to be able to adapt to new developments in the field.
“I think adaptability is a big one, just because there’s so many new technologies coming out,” Stuart says. “Even every month or two months.”
This adaptability applies to more than just the tools and technologies that energy systems engineering technologists work with. Whether it’s designing, installing or maintaining an energy system, engineering technologists must take various factors into account and change how they do their job accordingly. Some of these factors can include:
- Weather conditions
- Resources and budget
- Requirements of the energy system (power produced, intended usage, area of usage, etc.)
- Geographical features and limitations
Technical knowledge
Energy systems engineering technologists need to have a large scope of technical knowledge to cover all the elements of their job.
For example, coding is used on the management side of energy systems engineering technology with human-machine interfaces. These interfaces can be used to display data from the energy system or to control the energy system. As such, it is important that engineering technologists are familiar and proficient with the coding languages of these interfaces.
Energy systems engineering technologists should also be proficient in more physical technical skills such as wiring electrical systems and using electrical measuring devices.
Creativity
Though energy systems engineering technology is a very technical field, being creative is an asset. Energy systems engineering technologists often need to think outside the box to make their energy systems work when faced with certain challenges or limitations.
Caileb points out, “You have to figure out these creative solutions to be able to transform energy into another kind of energy for it to be used by people.”
Creativity is the spark of innovation, something happening in the field of energy systems engineering technology. With renewable energy and sustainable technologies being the future, it is important to have creative people in the field who can come up with new ways to produce clean energy and to improve upon existing methods.
Mohawk College’s Energy Systems Engineering Technology Program
Mohawk College’s Energy Systems Engineering Technology program provides industry-recognized, high-quality education and training to prepare students for their future careers in the dynamic field of energy systems engineering technology.
To stay relevant and at-pace with the industry, the Energy Systems Engineering Technology program places heavy emphasis on sustainability and developing environmentally conscious ways of generating, transporting and storing energy.
“We take a deeper dive into renewable energies, studying stuff like wind turbines, hydrogen power, hydro and solar power,” Stuart says.
This extends to the experiential learning side of the program as well, with students receiving valuable training in state-of-the-art labs such as the net-zero Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation. These labs allow students the chance to practice skills such as wiring mock generators and using the same measuring equipment found on job sites.
Co-op is an important part of the program, with work terms taking place over the three years of the program. This combination of in-class and on-the job learning, as well as teaching in-demand skillsets, such as being able to work with three-phase power systems, is why Mohawk College graduates are leading the way in the industry.
“I know that Mohawk College is sought out by employers due to the fact that we get more technical experience than other colleges,” Caileb says.
If you’re someone with an interest in technology, who likes working with both your hands and your mind, and has a passion for sustainability and building a greener future, visit the Energy Systems Engineering Technology program page to learn more.
