What is Electric Power Engineering?
Electric Power Engineering is a discipline within Electrical Engineering that deals with everything from electric power generation, distribution, and transmission, right through to energy management, electricity markets, renewable energy, electric vehicles, process electrification etc, Pretty much anything and everything to do with ‘electric energy'. Electric Power Engineering professionals are highly sought out globally, with numerous opportunities and potential for a career for life.
For more information about the power industry in New Zealand, check the Electricity in New Zealand report and online tool on the Electricity Authority website.
How to become an Electric Power Engineer
You can study towards becoming an Electric Power Engineer by enrolling in a four-year professional engineering degree, a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(Hons)) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, at the University of Canterbury - one of the leading electric power engineering programmes in the Southern Hemisphere!
UC’s BE(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme is aimed at establishing a sound foundation in core subjects, like circuits and signals, electronics and devices, electrical systems, computer systems, and materials in electrical engineering.
Advice for school leavers
Subjects to take at school in preparation for a degree in BE(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and a career as an Electric Power Engineer:
- NCEA Level 3 Physics
- NCEA Level 3 Maths with Calculus
- Or the equivalent of the above subjects at IB or Cambridge
Electric Power Engineering career specialisations
The electric power industry requires a broad range of knowledge and skills, some specifically in the field of electric power engineering, while others require skills from telecommunications, information technology, engineering and organisational management, and numerous other engineering and non-engineering disciplines. You may start out as an engineer, but through experience gained and on-going professional development, move into another desired role within the industry.
Recommended sites and resources
- UC Faculty of Engineering
- UC Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Electrical Engineer job profile – Careers NZ website
- Power Engineer career options – examples
