Clemson engineering program for careers in energy management now offered at Lowcountry Graduate Center
February 15, 2016
To meet the growing demand for engineers with knowledge in energy-related fields, Clemson University now offers a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis in power engineering at the Lowcountry Graduate Center.
“Engineering is one of the largest growth sectors for graduate education in the Lowcountry, and we are thrilled that this graduate degree will be offered in North Charleston along with the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering by Clemson and the Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of South Carolina,” said Nancy Muller, executive director of the Lowcountry Graduate Center.
Clemson developed this graduate program for engineers seeking to understand the complex, highly dynamic phenomenon present in a modern power system. The master’s in electrical engineering includes courses in the areas of power systems protection, dynamics/stability, transients and distribution. The focus of the program advances one’s understanding of new, innovative methods for wide area monitoring, protection and control, wireless communication and smart grid systems. The courses are applicable to the requirements of any of the other four graduate degrees in electrical and computer engineering offered at Clemson.
“Discussions with leaders in the power industry and academia indicate that many power engineers do not have the necessary background to tackle these challenging problems related to modern power systems. Therefore, we felt it was important for us to use our resources in electrical engineering at Clemson to help serve this need,” explained Dan Noneaker, chair of the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Clemson University is helping the nation reach its goal of doubling wind and solar electricity in the United States by 2025 with its state-of-the-art research at its wind-turbine drivetrain testing facility in North Charleston. This increased use of renewable energy sources represents a major paradigm shift in the electric power industry that will require the current power grid be transformed to be smarter and is a reason for every local supplier of energy and its vendors to be interested in this new graduate degree offering.
According to a 2014 report by the Association of Energy Engineers, 36 percent of energy engineers currently in the work force nationwide plan to retire within the next 10 years, increasing the demand for professionals trained in energy management. “
“We rely on our highly trained engineers to ensure that we can continue to capably serve the two million people who depend on our electricity across South Carolina,” said Laura Varn, vice president for human resources management at Santee Cooper. “This graduate degree can also enable Santee Cooper to remain a leader in energy generation as we look to the future of our industry.”
Santee Cooper employs approximately 1,700 people and provides more than 174,000 retail customers and 28 military and large industrial customers with power throughout the Lowcountry in addition to serving the state’s 20 electric cooperatives, which have members in all 46 counties of the state. It has been in existence since 1934 and is the largest power producer in South Carolina.
To learn more about Clemson’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree, visit lowcountrygradcenter.org or contact the graduate program coordinator for Clemson’s Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at 864-656-5902 or [email protected].
About The Lowcountry Graduate Center
The Lowcountry Graduate Center was created in 2001 as a consortium of the College of Charleston, The Citadel and the Medical University of South Carolina. These founding institutions, along with the University of South Carolina and Clemson University, now offer a variety of graduate degrees and certificates at the Lowcountry Graduate Center. The mission of the Lowcountry Graduate Center is to increase access to advanced education for professionals in the work force, support the region’s employers, and boost the Lowcountry’s economic development.
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