Getting into power generation/distribution, degree needed?

[Dr. Pole Greaser]

Hi guys, I'm after some career advice as I'm feeling a bit lost.

I'm a early 30's time served electrician current working within the manufacturing industry. My current job title is 'control engineer' but I slightly resent this as I don't have a degree (yet). Anyway I digress.
I'm more of a technical support type role for the maintenance team, I work with robots, PLC's, AC/DC inverter drives, mechanical lift and shift systems etc.

I'd really like to get into power generation and distribution as I feel this is stable industry to be employed within, plus I'm fascinated by power generation. Currently my highest qualification is a HNC in electrical and electronic engineering. Current company are willing to fund and Open University degree for me however the range you can do is very limited for engineering.
If I'm to throw myself into study I really want to be studying for something that will help me towards my end goal.

I was considering applying to do the open engineering degree with the OU with a view of at the end (if possible) of doing a masters in power systems engineering.

Can anyone offer me any advice?

[rog007]

What qualifications are listed as essential for the roles you aspire to? That should give you an indication of what you should be doing now.

[phumy]

Where are you based?

[shirt]

Are you any good at programming? In my company the control engineers are either strong at that or else strong on practical aspects. Being strong at both would give you a significant advantage.

The big trend at the moment is for decentralized power networks, hybrid generation with battery storage etc. Nothing particularly fancy with the hardware, it’s all software/controls.

Given most controls engineers seem to sit somewhere on the spectrum, also learn how to communicate with people who don’t care about the intricacies of your job, they just need the headline issues and what you plan to do about them.

[PorkInsider]

Going back 20-odd years, but a school/collegefriend of mine did a degree in electronic architecture, then a masters in something else in electronics and then went to work for a power company on the controls side.

I remember him being involved in the design/build of Didcot B and after that he went to work for a power co' working on design/build of industrial CHP stations. He went on to be an engineering director at a foreign power generation co', and last I heard he was working in renewables.

The reason I mention all that is because I'm almost certain he didn't do any specific power generation related qualifications - certainly not in the early days anyway - but it sounds like he was doing the sort of thing you're interested in(?)

Do you really need to do your degree specifically in power generation to get to what you want?

[Dr. Pole Greaser]

Thanks for the replies guys.

phumy said:

Where are you based?

Midlands.

shirt said:

Are you any good at programming? In my company the control engineers are either strong at that or else strong on practical aspects. Being strong at both would give you a significant advantage.

I can program to some extent. Mainly work in ladder logic with Allen & Bradley PLC’s at the moment. Have programmed Siemens Step 7 (statement list) in the past. Program Rapid on an (almost) daily basis with ABB robots. Also program/fault diagnose on various bus systems and safety partners as well as run of the mill electrical fault finding within control circuits. I also help out with mechanical fault finding purely because I also find mechanical engineering interesting.
Currently learning Python in my spare time.

[expensivegarms]

Have you tried looking at your local DNO for apprenticeships? Yours would be WPD. If they're anything like where I work they'll run apprenticeships aimed at people who have been in work for a few years. I started with the DNO where I am a few years ago and would never look to work anywhere else to be honest.

A lot of the lads that came on with me didn't have any electrical knowledge at all, it was very much a case of if they saw something they liked and you had the right attitude then they gave the opportunity to you. Great place and industry to be in, despite the pressure you do sometimes get put under.

[Bruggy]

I'm a time served apprentice with the CEGB, worked for National Power, PowerGen and overseas as an Electrical/Electronic Engineer. I'm currently at a coal fired power station working for EDF here in the UK. The HNC that you have is what I have & is the minimum requirement to get an engineering position. Armed with your HNC and the experience that you have you'd certainly be a candidate for interview if your CV came across my desk. However to progress within the industry a relevant degree would not go amiss and would open up more opportunities for you. The Power Industry is fascinating, secure (more so than manufacturing) & rewarding. However if I was looking to start again I'd definitely be looking at working for The National Grid Company as the distribution side will always be needed however the source of power i.e coal, gas, nukes or wind might be seen as less secure in comparison.