The electric power transmission industry continues to grow and change with ever increasing demands for inexpensive and sustainable energy. Training and education focus on new technology that makes producing and delivering electricity more efficient while protecting our environment. Above all, training provides information to ensure the safety of professionals and lay people alike.

Training for electric transmission and distribution professionals can consist of training programs, technical college and sometimes apprenticeships. Electrical engineers require more advanced degrees. The basic options to begin or advance a career in electric utility transmission systems include the following options:

1. Learn the basics and more from training courses in person where available or online.

2. Earn a two- or four-year college degree from an accredited college.

3. Keep up to date with the electric transmission industry and its happenings.

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Attend an electric utility transmission education and training online seminar

Train anytime and anywhere with web-based educational solutions. These seminars offer training for any size group or just one person, allowing greater flexibility for your preferred learning style.

I recommend: PGS Energy Training offers a variety of online, telephone and classroom seminars for professionals in the energy industry. Enerdynamics has a detailed six-hour introductory course in electric system fundamentals and other topics in electricity and its management.

Search for college programs for electric utility transmission systems

Options for a college education in the field of electric transmission abound. Search for an accredited program that meets your specific educational and career goals.

I recommend: Check out the electrical technology program at Baran Institute of Technology. Students can earn their degree in only 12 months for the day program or 24 months for the evening program. DeVry University offers a traditional four-year electronics engineering degree in an innovative online format.

Keep up to date with the latest electricity transmission solutions

It definitely pays to keep up with the latest advances in the industry. As the industry moves towards greater sustainability in electricity generation, we will see more use of wind, solar and other alternative energy sources. It is vital that any continuing training includes discussion of these and standard methods of energy generation.

I recommend: Transmission & Distribution World reports current developments in electric utility transmission companies. WIRES Group is an organization promoting education and awareness in the electric transmission industry and offers current industry reports and information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Imagine a world with electricity but without plugs, outlets or power lines. Wireless electricity transmission is an exciting area of study that opens up many great possibilities for people and for protecting the environment. So far, practical applications only focus on transmitting electricity over very short distances, but in the future high-tech devices may truly be wireless with no battery.

Electric power transmission is vital to all businesses, though some may consider the transmission and distribution of electricity a monopoly. Since electricity cannot be stored cheaply, it's a power source that companies need to produce instantaneously upon demand. Failure to do so can result in blackouts or brownouts.

With advances in technology, you can work with your electric power transmission company to minimize the chance of losing power. Even though certain utility companies seem to have a monopoly, you still have choices. Before you determine what electric utility transmission company is best for your facility, consider the following:

1. Locate utility transmission companies to fulfill your company's needs.

2. Consider using energy-efficient electric transmission and distribution.

3. Purchase electrical utility parts to make the most out of the electricity use.

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Determine what is the best electric power transmission company

As mentioned, some electric power companies seem to have a monopoly. But don't think that you don't have any sort of option when choosing a provider. Compare prices, ask what services the utility can supply and how it can benefit your facility.

I recommend: If you're looking for an extensive list of electric utility transmission companies, check out DMOZ. You can narrow down your selection by typing in the specific area of the country you want to search. For more localized information, check out Dairyland Power Cooperative if you live in the Midwest. For electric utility transmission companies in Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado or New Mexico, look into Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.

Use energy-friendly electric transmission companies

Cutting costs and benefiting the environment can go hand-in-hand. With the trend toward more environmentally friendly products and services, what better way to save the environment than by choosing an electric transmission company who takes pride in doing so?

I recommend: Check out Alliant Energy and its section on how to reduce costs while minimizing the effect you have on the environment. From generally cutting energy costs to evaluating your business' boiler, air conditioner and furnace, Alliant can find a way to reduce your bill. For businesses in Texas, the Texas Electric Choice gives helpful suggestions on how to cut costs.

Purchase electrical utility parts to work with the electricity

Stay current with tools such as electric transmission maps and software that can maximize the way your business handles electricity.

I recommend: View electrical output geospatially with ESRI and its GIS mapping system, allowing your company to view the electrical production immediately. GE has a hand in the electrical transmission with its software, helping your facility make informed decisions about electricity. Milsoft Utility Solutions has its own tracking system for electrical engineering software.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Energy-saving wireless electricity transmission is becoming more popular One type, called Wireless Energy Transfer (WET), eliminates wires, requires your business to have 'charging' pads where you can charge smaller items such as a cell phone or laptop. Another type of wireless electrical transmission is Evanescent Wave Coupling (EWC) where you can use wave frequency to pass electricity back and forth without the mess of wires. This is a newer concept, but one that's sure to become more popular.

Electricity is often taken for granted. Businesses and individuals often don't realize how much they depend on it until electricity is not available. If you are considering a career in the electric utility industry, there are many opportunities, but you may encounter words that seem foreign to you. You must master the basic lingo and process first before you'll be able to understand the broader and more complex issues that will arise in your training.

Consider the following key terms.

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Aggregator

Multiple users that form a group can be known as an aggregator when it comes to electricity purchasing, transmission and other services. Many times an aggregator will be a city or special district, but it can also be a broker or marketing firm.

I recommend: Find out about the four types of electric suppliers, including aggregators, through Cape & Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative.

Ancillary services

Ancillary services are all of the work that must be provided to generate, transmit and supply electricity. Such services can include scheduling, controlling loads and frequency, adhering to contracts and supporting the electric infrastructure.

I recommend: Review a real example of an ancillary service by visiting the Western Area Power Administration website.

Cooperative electric utility

A cooperative works as a legally formed utility for the sole benefit of those using the electric service. A cooperative utility is set up when no other entity is providing electricity to a specific geographic area.

I recommend: Learn more about the history of cooperatives and federal assistance to these entities through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Baseload

A constant supply of electricity must be depended upon to make the whole transmission network reliable. The baseload is a calculation of the minimum amount of power (at a steady rate) available or needed in a given period of time.

I recommend: Check out this Basin Electric Power Cooperative explanation of a baseload plant.

Combined cycle

The technology to produce electricity from the wasted heat exiting combustion turbines is known as combined cycle. The heat, when sent to a boiler or steam generator, produces electricity through a steam turbine.

I recommend: Learn more about integrated gasification combined cycle through Fred H. Hutchison's Clean-Energy.us.

Apparent power

When voltage and current combine, apparent power is produced. To measure it, you take the expression for voltage (volts) and put it with the expression for current (amperes), to form the word 'volt-amperes.' In measurements, apparent power is often referred to as a kilovolt-amperes or megavolt-amperes.

I recommend: Learn the difference between volts, amps, and watts at Amasci.