New and emerging developments in power engineering

Electrical Engineering is a well-established field of study and power engineering is the oldest sub-discipline of it. Electrical Engineering field has expanded much rapidly over the last few decades. The traditional developments were large power stations, very long high voltage (HV) transmission lines and even across national boundaries. With increasing concerns about global warming and greenhouse gases, the electricity energy generation, conversion and utilization has accelerated developments in smart and micro-grids, distributed generation and localized renewable energy generation. Due to new developments, power engineering programs are being modernized to include new areas such as smart grids and distributed generation, renewable and sustainable generation, smart and micro grids with smart and two-way communication. It is expected that the future of power engineering will concentrate on alternative electrical energy sources, smart power conversion, DC power systems, smart drive systems, distributed generation, electric vehicles and distributed storage, superconductors and other highly efficient and smart materials. Electric vehicles (EV) and associated battery storage will require new approaches to operate the modern power systems. EVs would be acting both as consumer and provider of energy to power grid. Future graduates will have extensive knowledge in new and emerging power systems, communication and smart and two way power flows. This paper will outline these new and emerging fields and future directions in Power Engineering.