Energy Systems Engineering Programs Produce In-Demand Graduates

  • Added:
    Nov 19, 2012
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Did you know that a widening skilled-labour shortage and quickly advancing technology in the energy sector are creating huge demand for energy systems technicians who possess a breadth of knowledge across the mechanical, electrical, electronic and automation engineering fields? The job of these professionals entails a few responsibilities. Overall, they implement energy solutions for commercial and residential buildings using knowledge of energy systems, energy efficiency and renewable/distributed energy systems. This is achieved through heat transfer, fluid mechanics, computational fluid dynamics and mechanics to industries such as: moulding and casting, integrated circuit packaging, heat exchanger/ boiler design and manufacture and petrochemical processing. In addition, energy systems technicians may operate power plants of various sizes; design and maintain heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration units; and work with architectural companies to integrate energy technologies into the latest green buildings.

In Canada, one of the respected Energy Systems Engineering programs is offered at Centennial College. It teaches students the fundamental skills to understand energy and its uses in modern society. The program is reputable as it offers a unique blend of technical, managerial and entrepreneurial skills that are highly sought after in the industry. To apply, students are required to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They must also have the credits for compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent.

Once are accepted to the Energy Systems Engineering Technician program (as it is officially known), they will discover a strong focus on practical labs to enhance classroom rooms and applied research, and development projects to promote innovation skills. In addition, the opportunity exists for students to work on state-of-the-art energy systems. Throughout these learning methods, experienced faculty members, who teach a technical curriculum that is complemented by project management skills, lead students. Courses within the energy systems technician training include: Electrics Circuits (introduces the students to the fundamental principles and theorems of D.C. and A.C. series and parallel resistive circuits); Renewable Energy Systems (involves the description, theory design and operation of renewable energy systems. The renewable energy systems presented are: wind energy, solar systems, geothermal heat pumps, biomass, small hydraulics and fuel cells); Digital and Power Electronics (introduces the student to digital circuit's theory and lab practice. Topics include number systems and codes, all common gates, Boolean algebra, mapping, basic arithmetic circuits, gated latches, counters, and shift registers); and more.

Upon completion of the Energy Systems Engineering program, students are prepared to enter the field. If however, they want to pursue further students, as graduates of the two-year energy systems engineering program, they have the option to enter year three of the Energy Systems Engineering Technology program.

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Emma offers a description of the Centennial College program that teaches students to become energy systems technicians. She includes specific course descriptions.


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