Associate of Energy - Utilities Engineering Technology (104681)

Program Description

As a graduate of the Utilities Engineering Technology associate degree program, you're prepared for careers in the utility industry, from power generation through transmission and distribution. Technicians in this field work on the equipment and systems that keep energy flowing safely and reliably from source to use. Typical careers include relay technologist, systems control and relay technician, substation technician, distribution systems designer, and power plant instrument technician.

A graduate of this program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:

• Systems Control & Relay Technician: installs, tests, adjusts, calibrates, repairs, and troubleshoots electrical power systems, protective relays, controls, alarms, metering, remote controls and telemetering equipment. Coordinates the installation and modification of protective relays with engineers.
• Substation Technician: installs, tests, adjusts and repairs power transformers, loads tap changers, potential transformers, current transformers, high voltage switchgears, battery and charger systems and control equipment used in substations. Evaluates transformer oil analysis and conducts high-potential tests, Doble tests, primary injections, breaker trip tests, contact resistances tests, etc.
• Distribution Systems Designer: designs systems for construction and maintenance of natural gas and electric systems. Develops construction plans, prepares cost estimates, creates material requirements, processes work requests and prepares documents.
• Power Plant Instrument Technician: analyzes and repairs electrical and instrumentation/controls hardware and software in a power generation plant. Troubleshoots, maintains, and repairs generator excitation systems, synchronization systems, and voltage regulators.
• Relay Technologist: ensures safe and effective operation of transmissions, distribution and generation facilities by calibrating, testing, maintaining and repairing protective and auxiliary relays, relay systems and associated communication equipment.

Program Outcomes:

• Identify and apply the necessary safety procedures required to work safely in the electrical and gas utility industry
• Acquire an understanding of the utility industry from generation through distribution
• Perform standard testing of electrical distribution equipment
• Plan, manage and implement utility projects
• Explore the overall operation and control of utility generation and distribution equipment
• Conduct nondestructive and predictive testing of electrical distribution equipment
• Examine and apply knowledge of gas, electricity, electronics, hydraulics, electric motors and mechanical systems
• Draw and read technical schematics and diagrams
• Document technical information through descriptive writing, sketches/diagrams, mathematical expression, computation, and graphs
• Construct ladder diagrams, flow charts, timing diagrams and basic computer control algorithms for machine control
• Perform electrical/mechanical assembly/disassembly, repair, and calibrate components by selecting tools and equipment and following procedures
• Implement the basic fastening skills related to machine fabrication and assembly requirements
• Apply electrical skills to troubleshoot control and operator panels
• Apply gas diagnostic tools to troubleshoot and resolve system problems
• Apply programming languages to the control of single programmable controllers and industrial networks
• Apply computer hardware/software applications to utility systems for design and coordination
• Apply critical thinking skills to solving problems
• Effectively communicate and perform in a team environment