µÛÍõ»áËù

Electrical Engineering and Smart Renewable Energy Development

Investing in an eco-friendly future is the best way to ensure that future generations can enjoy all of Earth's resources. As society moves away from non-renewable resources such as oil, gas and coal, smart renewable energy development aims to create solutions that reduce society's carbon footprint and support sustainability. 

Smart renewable energy development aims to utilize advances in compact and smart electronics to design systems for clean energy with a minimal impact on the climate. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, clean energy represents a $23 trillion global economic opportunity – essentially a new industrial revolution.¹ As the industry rapidly evolves, more electrical and electronic engineers are needed to design, test and implement clean technology with smart features.

If you're interested in smart renewable energy development, µÛÍõ»áËù's online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering will bring you up to date with the latest innovations in electrical engineering and help guide you toward exciting careers.

What is Smart Renewable Energy Development?

Because of its minimal environmental impact, smart renewable energy is preferable to non-renewable. However, both are vulnerable to climate change. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rising temperatures, cold and snow events, stronger hurricanes and other climate changes can interrupt energy development and lead to cascading impacts on the country's economy.² That's why businesses, organizations, governments and individuals are making a concerted effort to generate solutions that do not rely on or impact the environment.

Smart energy is an extremely promising and rapidly evolving frontier. Its goal is to optimize smart renewable energy development using network-driven interconnected technologies that can adapt to changing conditions and scenarios for production and consumption of electricity. Smart technology can reduce the need for non-renewable energy, recycle renewable energy and provide data to/from the global power grid. According to Hologram, a smart technology company, this approach creates eco-friendly solutions that also save money.³ Smart technology relies on experts in electric and electronics engineering who help design and power energy-efficient solutions. 

Emerging Smart Energy Technologies for Electrical Engineers

Smart energy technologies and applications are rapidly developing, and some of the latest are:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – AI is a groundbreaking technology for nearly every industry, especially when it comes to smart renewable energy development. The U.S. Department of Energy explains that AI can forecast consumption, operate the global power grid more efficiently and enhance the grid's resilience to power outages and security breaches.¹ AI in smart renewable energy development relies on digital signal processing technology to manage the input/output of massive amounts of data through the power grid. As experts in digital signal processing and computer network communication, electrical engineers help test, optimize and repair the power grid.
• Nanotechnology – In devices that are few to tens of nanometers in size, nanotechnology can interact with its surroundings by using advances in both classical and quantum physics. Utilizing novel materials such as quantum dots, nanoparticles, nanowires, carbon nanotubes and graphene, nanotechnology keeps advancing efficiencies and cost of batteries, solar cells, sensors, integrated circuits and more. According to Nanowerk, a nanotechnology news company, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) can lead to more compact and novel devices to convert various (chemical, optical and electromagnetic) forms of energy into electricity.⁴ Empowered by novel materials, electrical engineers help create many compact devices and systems such as NEMS, LEDs, nanosensors and nanochips that are crucial for creating smart features for clean energy.
• Smart Homes – Smart homes are equipped with internet-connected systems that reduce energy consumption, such as smart meters, solar panels, programmable thermostats, automatic blinds, motion-sensing lighting and more. These homes are particularly valuable in the housing market because potential homeowners could have lower utility bills. Solar panels alone raise the value of a home by four percent, according to Hologram.³ Smart homes have built-in controllers, converters, inverters, microinverters, voltage regulators, and integrated sensors. With their specialized knowledge of connected devices, electrical engineers are involved in every part of the smart home process, from designing new technologies to implementing them in smart homes around the world.
• Smart Transportation – Smart transportation aims to address mobility infrastructure issues with technologies such as electronic toll collection, socially connected ride-sharing, real-time public transit tracking and even signs that can help drivers locate alternate routes and empty parking spaces. The automotive industry, especially, is in the midst of a massive revolution (often called electrification) by developing autonomous unmanned vehicles (self-driving cars), purely and hybrid electric vehicles (EV) with superb levels of efficiency, smart infrastructure elements, and the complex networks required to power them. EV's can improve air quality and reduce noise in the metro areas. EVs can also add demand for solar cell and battery pack adaption in residential houses with impact in all smart energy solutions.
• Thermal Systems – Thermal systems draw power from heat. According to GlobalSpec, an engineering content platform, storing heat is cheaper and more efficient than storing electricity; thermal systems can also draw power from residual heat.⁵ Advanced thermal systems include smart heat pumps, thermal power grids, thermal batteries and smart HVAC systems. Optimizing the heat or thermal energy generated by electrical systems is an important aspect of smart renewable energy development. 

Elevate your career in engineering

View Engineering Degrees

Career Opportunities for Electrical Engineers in Smart renewable Energy Development

When it comes to smart renewable energy development, more electrical engineers are needed to research, develop, test, implement and optimize smart renewable energy solutions across many industries. You could foster clean, sustainable energy in aerospace, aviation, computer networking, telecommunications, transportation and much more. As a whole, career opportunities and salary potential for these jobs in the U.S. are growing fast:

•  Overall employment growth in architecture and engineering occupations is projected to add an average of 188,000 openings each year from 2022 to 2032.⁶
• These occupations earned a median annual wage of $91,420 in May 2023.⁶

Electrical and electronics engineers will see a similar pattern of career growth and pay. From 2022 to 2032, an average of 17,800 openings are projected each year for these professionals.⁷ Their median annual wage surpassed $100,000 in May 2023, and some of the top-paying industries were⁷:

• Semiconductor and electrical component manufacturing: $144,960
• Navigational, electromedical and other instruments manufacturing: $125,930
• Engineering services: $109,650
• Telecommunications: $105,100

In most settings, master's-level electrical engineers take on more advanced responsibilities than those with bachelor's degrees and could make a higher salary. Whether you want to enter the field, increase your salary at your current job or take your engineering career in a new direction, earning your master's degree in electrical engineering will significantly expand your opportunities.

Advance Your Career in Smart and Sustainable Energy Solutions

If you'd like to help shape the future of smart energy, an online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) is a great way to get started. In µÛÍõ»áËù's MSEE program, you'll explore innovative technologies, key electrical engineering principles and exciting career opportunities. The MSEE offers a leading-edge curriculum with six concentrations that can direct your education to the career you want most: 

• Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles: Study the different models, state space control methods and navigation systems at the forefront of AUV technology. Explore the principles of navigation systems and vehicle motion control.
• Communications & Digital Signal Processing: Examine the fundamentals of communication systems engineering at the physical level. Study information theory and coding, communication networks and digital signal processing.
• Computer Engineering: Delve into computer architecture, computer communication networks and the design, simulation and verification of digital circuits and microelectronic devices.
• Electrical Engineering: Explore a range of electrical engineering topics, including micro/nano devices and chips, microwave theory and devices, embedded systems, communication engineering, digital signal processing and state space methods.
• Electronic Navigation Systems: Examine satellite-based navigation, inertial navigation and integrated and embedded systems as you delve into the world of signals and systems for avionics hardware, software design and certification.
• Micro/Nano Devices & Systems: Learn the steps of fabrication used in micro and nanoscale devices, design principles for integrated circuits, and the theory and tools behind nanoelectronic devices.

With a master's degree in electrical engineering, you could become a leader in the worldwide transition to eco-friendly energy and sustainability. Learn more about µÛÍõ»áËù's online MSEE by requesting more information today.

Sources

1. U.S. Department of Energy. "AI for Energy." Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies. April 29, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from .
2. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "Climate Change Impacts on Energy." November 16, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from .
3. Hologram. "What is smart energy?" April 18, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from .
4. Nanowerk. "Nanodevices: The Building Blocks of Nanotechnology." Retrieved June 28, 2024, from .
5. GlobalSpec. "Integrated Electrical, Thermal and Gas Grids: The Smart Energy System." May 15, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from .
6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Architecture and Engineering Occupations." Occupational Outlook Handbook. April 17, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from .
7. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Electrical and Electronics Engineers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. April 17, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from .

Your Future Starts Here

Online Programs

Call Us

740.924.5725

to speak with a knowledgeable Enrollment Counselor.