Hello all,
I’m currently a junior studying Electrical Engineering/Mathematics with an interest in Power Engineering (Power Systems/Renewable Integration/Smartgrids). I’ve been looking into schools around the country and found a real lack of existent/good programs in the power field. I’m looking to get a PhD and hopefully go into academia one day. Some schools I’ve looked at were NCSU and Arizona State. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for schools with solid power engineering programs. Thanks!
I suggest you look for graduate schools with really good electrical engineering programs.
I’m sure they will have the classes you’ll need to get into that field.
That said, it is VERY hard to “get into” academia these days, as there are fewer and fewer colleges that offer tenure track positions. A tremendous % of PhD’s end up as adjunct profs, who are paid very little.
You would probably be better off financially if your aim is to work for a company in the power industry , and thus may want to aim for a masters degree instead of PhD.
this article just appeared today in the Wall Street Journal.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-new-energy-majors-wind-and-solar-college-degrees-1525266000
"The University of California, Davis last fall launched its Energy Graduate Group, in which students work toward a master’s or doctorate degree with energy specialties, after repeatedly hearing from potential employers looking for people who knew how to design and work with renewable-energy systems.
“They’re always coming to us asking us, ‘Give us a student, a good student,’” said Benjamin Finkelor, executive director of the school’s Energy and Efficiency Institute, which hosts the graduate group."
Check out this report (especially Appendix Table 5). https://www.ieee-pes.org/images/files/pdf/peec-survey/2015-16_PES_PEEC_Survey_Report_Final_11-2017.pdf ASU awarded the most PhDs in the U.S at 18. with Carnegie Mellon, M.I.T, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Texas Arlington also in double digits. Waterloo in Canada is the largest in North America, at 30 PhDs, with Calgary at 20, and Alberta at 10.
You should also look at the Illinois Tech Electrical Engineering Department. We have a member of the National Academy of Engineering in the Power Engineering area and one of the first Smart Grid Demonstration programs on campus. The Power Engineering area has been a strength here for many years and is a big part of the WISER institute (https://web.iit.edu/wiser).
Thank you very much for all your help. It’s become much more clear that there is a lot more research to be done in terms of deciding where to apply.
@menloparkmom I’ve come from a family full of teachers so it runs down the family line. I’m willing to take a risk on job prospects and sacrifice some money in exchange for something I love to do.