How can you incorporate hands-on training into a power engineering curriculum?

Since I have had all my education in India, I will speak purely for the Indian scene. The Indian academic sector is largely disconnected from the industry sector. Fresh graduates are put through a six months to one year training programs by the employers speaks a lot about the industrial utility of a fresh engineering graduate. To improve on this, a thorough shake-up is necessary. A regular industry interaction can reduce this gap. Starting from the software packages used and taught in the colleges. The academics don't know anything beyond MATLAB whereas there are a plethora of software packages used in the industry for different purposes. This will allow students to work on the real wold problems instead of just MATLAB projects.

As an undergraduate student, weekly lab activities and take home projects where instrumental in helping me forge a strong bond between theory and practicals. having students shadow professionals through institution sanctioned internships and personal internships really helps. I also think giving students team or group construction projects in the beginning of a semester that they have no skills or knowledge of encourages them to seek for information and knowledge from both field and academic professionals.

Every semester end students should undergo a one month internship in industry. Projects should be carried out inline with industrial requirements ( industry projects come internship during the final semester). Each semester some value added courses to be conducted in the College. Advanced digital simulation tool to be added in the laboratory curriculum. Theoretical concepts should be delivered with real time case studies.

While attending the university I agree with the lab projects to gain knowledge of how generators and transformers function. Working with M-G sets give the student the knowledge what operators need at the plant. Also, when I worked at GE we had some intern students. I had an opportunity to take one student under my wing when I was preforming NERC tests at a power plant. I took the student with me and while at the plant was able to walk him through the site so that he had an idea what is needed to produce electrical power.

Utilize power system simulation software, such as ETAP, or SKM, to model and analyze various power system scenarios. Students can simulate faults, load changes, and system modifications, and observe the impact on system parameters.

Sabe aquela prova teórica ou trabalho individual que você fez... esquece. A maior parte do tempo as coisas nas empresas acontecem em equipe, e acredite... n?o basta ter a melhor nota, maior conhecimento, muitas vezes contará a melhor política, a melhor defesa, o melhor conceito... mas o que é melhor? Depende... em um projeto pode ser ficar dentro de um custo esperado, entregar algo razoável no prazo determinado, etc... Ent?o embora meter a m?o na massa que assim se aprende e ser um profissional completo.

Project based learning will help in the candidates understand all the components and the life size situations that can come up in integration.

It nurtures critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students are presented with complex problems or questions that they must analyze, evaluate, and solve using their knowledge and skills. In conclusion project learning provides a student-centered approach to education, fostering active engagement, critical thinking, collaboration, and the application of knowledge. It prepares students for the real life and to become lifelong learners, problem solvers, and innovative thinkers

Lo mejor del aprendizaje basado en proyectos, es que se toman las lecciones aprendidas y se tiende a buscar la mejora continua para futuros proyectos

- la mejora continúa se basa en el aprendizaje de los proyectos y procesos que ya se trabajaron, en dónde repetimos las buenas prácticas y aprendemos de los errores, aplicando cambios para mejorar, tomando como aprendizaje práctico cada experiencia que nos enfrentamos, sin duda siempre se puede mejorar, buscando la excelencia y eficacia de nuestro propio trabajo - es impresionante tu como estudiante recién egresado, cuando estás en campo como aterrizas todos tus conocimientos en lo físico ya construido y te das cuenta que aun tienes mucho por aprender e ideas que quieres implementar - como la importancia del trabajo en equipo que nos hace llegar mas lejos, convirtiendo en cada elemento del equipo en un especialista de un área...

I always believe in practical experience will help undergraduate or graduates to learn the "real things". For an example, on drawing it shows only 1 circle to represent current transformer. But, in real life, the current transformer can be a big component in switchboards or switchgear. During Field trips or site visits, the students or undergraduate will be able to see the real physical component.

These are fantastic if possible. Word of warning - most of the suggestions mentioned require a level of PPE that is difficult to arrange for a class of students and instructors. It's doubtful the class will have HRC rated clothes, a hard hat, safety glasses, FR boots, etc... don't ever skimp on safety. A recommendation here is for the school to partner with an equipment provider. Why? Nearly all of them have some version of a "road show" mounted on a flat bed or similar, with things like working circuit breakers, transformers, etc. that are designed for the public to be around safely. You can bring the field trip to your school. Companies are amenable to this partnership as its useful for them to recruit new talent. Win-win.

Field trips will give a real time understanding of how the actual power components would look like, for e g Transformer, Switch gear, Transmission line, Relays, Breakers, Protection circuit. Site visits will give a deep understanding of how systems works, electrical machine would look like. Also it would make a deep impressions on the students which career path they should choose. Since i feel most of the electrical engineering branch students are also inclined towards IT sector which is not a good sign for India's future as we would need more core branch students to take up the core jobs and settle in India to do more advance research in India

Field trips & site visits: Immerse students in the real world! From power plants to substations, these experiences spark curiosity, solidify theoretical concepts, and connect engineering with its tangible impact. Plus, they foster valuable interactions with professionals, enriching their learning journey.

Getting students on site can be a very valuable experience if done correctly. I have had site visits where I left not knowing much more than I did before I went on site because I had no prior relationship to the project. It was more of a field trip where I walked around to look at things without a goal in mind. Cool? Yes. Valuable learning experience? Not so much. Where I see site visits being extremely valuable for students, is when they are paired up with project based learning. For example, going to a site with a mentor and performing a survey or assessment…walking a site while completing a punch list…meeting the contractor on site to discuss a conflict. The list goes on

Pessoal que conversa comigo, muitas vezes acha que até no comissionamento de itapu eu estive... óbvio que n?o! Mas foi no estágio que falei com uma tropa de engenheiros cabe?a branca e pude absorver esses conhecimentos quase que por "osmose". é no estágio que você verá como a parada é realmente, como a coisa realmente ocorre e n?o como naquele video bonito que te mostraram na internet.

Com base em minha transi??o da carreira técnica para a engenharia elétrica, defendo a integra??o da prática no ensino teórico. Observando colegas que vieram direto do ensino médio, percebi a falta de conex?o prática com os conceitos teóricos. Essa experiência me convenceu da necessidade de unir teoria e prática na forma??o de engenheiros elétricos.

I am thankful for the internship opportunities I was fortunate enough to receive. Being able to apply technical skills to real-world problems was a benefit sure, but the exposure to different industries within electrical engineering was even more valuable. Finding out if I liked a certain role was just as important to me as finding out I did not like a certain role. Internships provide an amazing window into the industry, and the temporary, short term nature, is why internships/co-ops are the best way I know to explore your options as a newcomer in the power field.

I totally support the students and encourage them to do real internship training that incorporated real hands on training and work, while unfortunately some don't take it seriously and also the companies sometimes take it as a burden to have some paperwork done for providing community services by giving internship opportunities to local universities students, this destroys the whole idea . So i would always recommend companies and students to take it more seriously and know that knowledge must be distributed and not kept as secret ??

Obtener pasantías en campo permite poner en práctica la teoría de la universidad, además de que es un plus la experiencia ganada para encontrar empleo más fácil

Create virtual settings for students to evaluate and build power systems using power system simulation tools. Simulations allow students to experiment with numerous scenarios and troubleshoot problems in a safe and cost-effective environment.

Try to build circuits and simulate. Practice frequently and learn through websites and YouTube videos. Implement circuits realistic, by adding factors like wire resistance and so on.

Utilize power system simulation software (e.g., ETAP, SKM, etc.) that allows students to model and analyze different aspects of power systems. This software can simulate various scenarios, fault conditions, and operating conditions, coordination of protective devices, providing students with valuable experience in system analysis and troubleshooting. Important are arc flash calculations!

GridLAB-D, developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, revolutionized power engineering education with its advanced simulation capabilities. This software allows students and professionals to realistically model and analyze power distribution systems, including smart grid technologies and renewable energy integration. Its adoption in academic curricula worldwide enabled an interactive, practical learning experience, bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. GridLAB-D's impact in the field demonstrates the value of simulation tools in preparing future engineers for the evolving challenges of power engineering.

Espa?os maker oferecem uma experiência prática valiosa na engenharia elétrica, incentivando a criatividade e a experimenta??o. Esses ambientes estimulam habilidades práticas e inovadoras, essenciais na forma??o de engenheiros elétricos.

Maker spaces are an innovative way to work in collaboration without any hesitations and less formalities involved. Different groups of students with various backgrounds can come up and start working on a project of common interest. This will help them develop social and communication skills. It will develop team skills and leadership skills. It will provide a platform where they can use tools provided to them which otherwise may have been inaccessible to them. It will help identify to spot the talents from a pool of large students also. They will get rewards exposure and opportunities. They will develop networking skills which will be extremely useful for their career and learnings.

Maker spaces and clubs are crucial in power engineering, providing hands-on, collaborative environments for innovation and learning. Equipped with tools like 3D printers and electronic components, these spaces allow members to work on projects from renewable energy systems to energy storage solutions. They foster a culture of knowledge sharing and mentorship, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds. Participants not only enhance their technical skills but also develop soft skills like teamwork and problem-solving. These clubs play a vital role in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, shaping the future of power engineering education and practice.

Incorporating hands-on training into a power engineering curriculum is crucial for fostering practical skills and enhancing the overall learning experience. Introducing laboratory sessions where students can work with actual power systems equipment, such as generators, transformers, and control panels, allows them to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world context. Designing experiments that simulate common industry scenarios, troubleshooting challenges, and maintenance tasks enables students to develop problem-solving skills and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of power systems. Additionally, organizing site visits to power plants, substations, or renewable energy facilities provide valuable exposure to industry practice

In my view,to enable this goal to be achieved, industry must collaborate with academia to enable students apply the theory and principles they've learnt on real life issues interrogate the principles and also have better understanding into the theory at all times. Imagine industry bringing up their challenges to institutions and sponsoring their research into finding solutions to the said challenges how innovative it would be for the students and this would help them to explore their potentials and abilities.

Conduct hands-on workshops on topics such as electrical safety, and system protection. These workshops can involve demonstrations, equipment testing, and hands-on activities to reinforce theoretical concepts. In my experience, it is is important to collaborate with industry partners to provide guest lectures, and offer access to specialized equipment and facilities. Industry partnerships can enhance the relevance of the curriculum and provide students with valuable networking opportunities. It is also effective to arrange equipment demonstrations where students can observe the operation of power systems equipment and learn about maintenance procedures, safety protocols, and troubleshooting techniques from industry experts.

It is my view that there shouldn't be separation between theoretical and practical lessons. They should be taught simultaneously; not always, but alternating days where the lecturer brings a built experiment that fit the class in session. In some universities, like the University of Oklahoma, during my tenure, the lecturer conducted the experiments while teaching the concepts (like programming embedded systems and microcontrollers). For some students, this is the exact approach they need for faster and exciting learning.