Power grids and power management
If electricity is the blood of the economy, then power grids are the circulation system. The world is growing in complexity, with increasing requirements for power grids and demand for respective jobs.
The key changes in power grids and power consumption are linked with smart grid technologies. These are grids with intelligent control systems that allow, based on the power consumption level in a building/office (precisely determined by equipment, lights and electric sockets), for the setting of optimal operation modes (e.g. washing clothes at night, when power rates are lower). They can also quickly respond to any problems (e.g. voltage surges), thereby preventing damage to equipment, and automatically recover after a breakdown.
These technologies reduce losses in power delivery systems and make power delivery more reliable and increase continuity. They can also help consumers choose an energy supplier and manage consumption and spending. In addition, users who own their own micro generators may have surplus power to sell.
Another trend is the evolution of distributed generation. A total blackout is a favourite device of writers in disaster films: insidious hackers or natural calamities disrupt power mains and a whole city falls into darkness. Distributed power allows for the prevention of such a scenario, as local accidents in separate grid sections will not lead to global implications. Developed countries have put it on their active agendas as far back as the 2000s: in particular, the USA passed a law offering considerable benefits to small electricity producers after a major accident in the power system on the north-east of the USA and in Canada in 2003. The share of centrally produced electricity has been declining since then. There are no equivalent initiatives in Russia yet, but as companies lack funds to upgrade the mains, distributed power may become a topical issue in Russia in the near future, creating a need for respective specialties.
Professions
Electric vehicle charging station operator
Specialist servicing the infrastructure for charging electric cars and other vehicles (e.g. unmanned cargo aircraft). The US has the best developed grid of this kind at the moment, with around 7,000 charging stations.
Trends
Professional skills and abilities
Power consupmtion system designer
Specialist working to maximize the comfort and power efficiency of user environments. This system designer advises on the best tools to use in a particular situation and what to do with the most power-intensive household appliances, such as the air conditioner or refrigerator.
Trends
Professional skills and abilities
System engineer for smart power grids
Specialist tasked with designing and modelling smart grids, micro generation systems, and smart power environments for various purposes; develops technological and infrastructural requirements to systems throughout their life cycle. Provides solutions for the same task as the designer of power consuming systems, but on the end of power supply. There are foreign companies that provide the service (e.g. Siemens offers the SureGrid service, enabling real-time power consumption control within a specific building).
Trends
Professional skills and abilities
Energy auditor
Professional engaged in auditing and consulting in power consumption. Inspects private homes, residential blocks, detached buildings and factories for energy losses and provides recommendations on power consumption optimization. Energy audit already exists as a licensed activity. The job is quite popular, with 845 vacancies in July 2014, according to HeadHunter. Demand for these specialists will rise even higher in the future.
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Professional skills and abilities
Power grid adjuster/controller in distributed generation
Specialist analyzing potential system failures, designing the most efficient operation modes, and ensuring the designed safety of power grids and waste disposal. Familiar with non-destructive control methods and smart grid commissioning.
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Professional skills and abilities
Power marketing expert
Specialist with a good knowledge of the Russian and global power market, dealing with power sales. Need for the profession is caused by the increasing competition on the power market and emergence of a large number of private businesses. There is no demand for it in Russia as of now, but issues of micro generation and distributed grids will become highly topical very soon. In the west, however, the specialty of power marketing expert is quite developed.
Trends
Professional skills and abilities
