Transmission & Distribution Department or Power Generation Department

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the choice between pursuing a career in the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Department or the Power Generation Department for fresh graduates of BSc Electrical Engineering. Participants explore personal preferences, experiences, and the nature of work in both fields, without reaching a consensus on which is superior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the choice between T&D and Power Generation depends on individual preferences and experiences.
  • One participant notes that T&D offers a variety of technologies and opportunities, including telecommunications and control systems, which may be more engaging.
  • Another participant highlights the long learning curve associated with SCADA systems in T&D, suggesting it may take years to fully understand.
  • Concerns are raised about the outdated nature of the systems in both departments, particularly mentioning manual operations in the T&D system.
  • A participant inquires about protection circuits, indicating a specific interest in the safety aspects of T&D.
  • There is uncertainty regarding the best role for a Protection Engineer, with questions about whether to focus on Generation or T&D, and whether to choose Maintenance or Operations.
  • One participant emphasizes the subjective nature of the decision, suggesting that personal interests will ultimately guide the choice.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which department is better. Multiple competing views remain regarding the advantages and disadvantages of both T&D and Power Generation, as well as the roles within those departments.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with the departments, and there are references to outdated systems and manual processes that may affect the decision-making process. The discussion reflects a range of personal biases and experiences.

Who May Find This Useful

Fresh graduates in Electrical Engineering considering career paths in the energy sector, particularly those weighing options between Transmission & Distribution and Power Generation.

airer
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If you are a fresh graduate of BSc Electrical Engineering and you are asked to choose either Transmission & Distribution Department or Power Generation Department, which one will you choose? And why?

Please your inputs will help me decide, so help me out.

Airer
 
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I'm not an EE person, so I don't know enough about the two different departments to tell you which might be better. However, YOU hopefully do know enough to do so. And since each person is different, you should explain what you like/dislike about Transmission & Distribution, and the same for Power Generation, and maybe we can help you figure out which is better for you.
 
I don't have any experience with that sort of stuff, but it really does vary by person. I've seen other EE graduates with a B.S. say they prefer Power Generation, but really, it depends on you. Maybe you could research articles in the field and how it's developing or has developed, or just look into what each program at the company (or whatever you're choosing from) entails.
 
OK, it is a very old system. The power plant is a Diesel Power plant (big generators are used to generate power). The Transmission and Distribution system is the very old type (nothing is Automated, they off lines manually by driving to the various locations). Which of the two is better and why?
 
T&D is more fun in my book. From T&D you have an opportunity to get involved in some pretty wide ranging technologies including telecommunications, Control Systems, Computer security, protection circuits, Network protocols, Metering, embedded firmware, and substation management --to name just a few things.

You could do the same from generation, but it will take a while. Also note: the learning curve for SCADA systems is very long and flat. It can take five years before you have some idea of what is going on around you.

I suggest doing T&D.
 
Thank you very much JakeBrodskyPE. Please, elaborate more on the protection circuits. I think my country will need this.

Thanks
 
I am referring to the various elements of a substation designed to protect equipment, such breakers, fuses, and the like. Protection circuits are designed to trip to protect the grid and the local equipment from all sorts of problems.
 
So as a Protection Engineer, Should I choose to be in the Generation Department or in the Transmission and Distribution Department? And between Maintenance and Operations which unit should I be, to be more operational?
 
I'm not sure there is a good answer to that. Find an opportunity and run with it. You may find that generation is really cool. You may like T&D. You may like the pace of Operations, Maintenance, consulting, management, or none of the above. I have my own biases, but they're mine, not yours. That which amuses me may bore you to tears.
 

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