Power engineering technology, also known as power systems engineering, is a subfield of electrical engineering focusing on the generation, distribution, transmission, & utilization of electric power. 

Also, this field is associated with developing and designing electric devices that generate, transmit, etc., electrical power. Professionals in this field are in high demand in companies that generate, design, and distribute electric devices, like transformers & generators. 

However, there is no dearth of power engineering technology courses offered at graduate & postgraduate levels.  And today, we will discuss the same! We will walk you through the program overview of power engineering technology.

So, let us begin! 

 

Power Engineering Technology – Program Overview 

Power engineering professionals operate and maintain complex systems used for operating pumps, air conditioners, industrial boilers, etc. In addition, we must note that the demand for such professionals is increasing, thus opening vast employment opportunities in oil patches, manufacturing, mining, power generation utilities, etc. 

In addition, power engineering technology is a two-year diploma course wherein the applicant gains knowledge, skills, and expertise in the operation of industrial processes & power plants. 

 

These include: 

  • Air conditioning 
  • Refrigeration
  • Plant operation computer monitoring
  • Communications
  • Controls & instrumentations
  • Plant safety
  • Pump operations
  • Environmental management
  • Maintenance and checking of equipment 
  • Water treatment systems 

 

The program combines classroom learning and hands-on practical teaching, thus helping the applicants gain industrial work experiences. 

 

Certification Opportunities  

The power engineering technology course is divided into various skill levels and training. Applicants can progress from one class to another through work experience, course completion and interprovincial exams. 

After a year, the applicants will earn one year of fourth-class qualifying time credit. Moreover, after 3rd and 4th semester, nine months of credit will be granted towards candidates’ work experience. 

Applicants who have successfully passed the 3rd class exams will be enrolled in semester five and eligible to challenge second class Part A exams. 

However, personal study/ self-study is suggested before an applicant writes an industry certification exam. 

In addition, TSSA, i.e., the Technical Standards and Safety Authority of Ontario website, has a video informing applicants about the power engineering technology and training. The video might help determine whether the career is apt for the applicant or not. 

 

Fee Structure Of Power Engineering Technology Course 

The examination fee for the course is as follows: 

  • Year 1 (Fourth Class) – Two exams at $108 per exam
  • Year 2 (Third Class) – $108 for each exam (4 exams) 
  • Year 2 (Second Class) – $216 per exam for three exams 

 

Power Engineering Technology: Career & Salary Information 

In power engineering technology, professionals work with large & complex power systems. For example, one can work as a power engineer or a process operator in refineries, pulp/ paper mills, gas processing plants, breweries, fertilizer plants, chemical plants, heavy oil upgraders, etc. 

As a professional, you can even be responsible for ventilation, heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, etc., in institutional, commercial, and residential complexes. Moreover, you can also put your knowledge to work in mechanical/ industrial design and sales. 

 

  • Potential Careers & Salaries 

 

Job Title NOC Classification  Salary 
Steam Engineer Power Engineers & Power System Operator  $56,000 – $121,700
Steam Plant Operator  Power Engineers & Power System Operator  $56,000 – $121,700
Panel Operator  Power Engineers & Power System Operator  $56,000 – $121,700

   

 

  • Beginning & Length Of The Course 

The power engineering technology course begins in September and lasts 72 weeks, including two years of work experience.

 

Admissions In The Course 

The course has the following admission requirements: 

  • Grade 12 with foundations in Math or Calculus 
  • The minimum overall percentage of 65% 
  • English language requirement

 

NOTE: 

  • Before beginning with the lab course in Year 2, applicants must present a 4th Class Technical Safety Authority certificate & license. 
  • Chemistry and Physics aren’t required for admissions. However, they would be extremely helpful for the program because some employers might prioritize/ require these subjects before hiring applicants.  
  • Accepted applicants must provide evidence of GHS, i.e., Globally Harmonized System certification, in the first month of the beginning of the program. Moreover, recertification is needed every three years. Finally, the certification cost is entirely the applicant’s responsibility. 

 

Alternative Admissions to the Course 

Candidates without academic qualifications for a program might be admitted if the evidence of success is established via an alternative assessment. However, applicants must meet some specific admission requirements. 

 

  • ACCUPLACER 

It is a testing system that measures an applicant’s reading, math, and writing skills. In addition, the score one receives isn’t a percentage but a score between 200-300. Here are the scores required: 

  • Arithmetic – 250
  • Reading – 250
  • Writing – 245
  • Quantitative Reasoning, Stats, & Algebra – 254

 

  • Post-Secondary 

Some power engineering technology programs allow applicants to meet the grade level requirement using post-secondary credits. 

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they can be met through post-secondary courses. In addition, applicants can also pick already approved courses for admission purposes. 

 

Power Engineering Technology: Admission Method

The admission method is First-Qualified/ First-Admitted (FQFA). This process is used for many polytechnic programs. After an applicant meets the eligibility requirements of the course, he/ she is offered admission based on the qualification date. This implies that the earlier the applicant provides documents, the earlier one can begin their studies. The qualified application is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants with numerous intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool till the last intake begins! In addition, programs using the FQFA process receive applications all year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who aren’t offered seats must reapply for the next academic year. 

Moreover, one must note that programs targeted to a specific group or sponsored programs do not accept applications all year round or maintain an application pool. 

 

Fee & Tuition 

The estimates in this section are based on current rates and might change over time. Moreover, the cost of the program might vary by campus. 

Below is the fee and approximate cost of books and other supplies. Take a look!   

  • Year 1 – $9,978
  • Year 2 – $6,475

 

Courses & Syllabus 

Below are the tables representing courses and syllabus for every semester. 

 

  • Year 1 – Semester 1 

 

Code  Subject Name  Credits 
COMP 172 Introduction to Microsoft word & Excel  1
ELEC 188 Basic Electricity  2
ENGP 179 Applied Mechanics  2
ENGP 180 Power Lab 1 3
ENGP 181 Plant Maintenance 1  2
ENGP 190 Boiler & Boiler Systems  3
INST 182 Instrumentation  3
MATH 299 Intermediate Algebra & Basic Trigonometry  2
SFTY 172 Safety, Legislation, & Codes 3
TCOM 105 Communication for Technicians 2
THER 185 Thermodynamics  2

 

  • Year 1 – Semester 2 

 

Code  Subject Name  Credits 
ENGP 178 Heating Systems  2
ENGP 183 Prime Movers  2
ENGP 186 Pumps, Compressors, & Lubrication  2
ENGP 187 Power Lab 2 4
ENGP 188 Plant Operation & Maintenance  4
ENGP 191 Boiler Controls &  Safety Devices  2
PROP 198 Plant & Process Operations  2
RFRG 183 Air Conditioning  2
RFRG 195 Refrigeration  3
WTER 182 Water Treatment  2

 

  • Year 1 – Semester 3 

 

Code  Subject Name  Credits 
CLTR 200 Culture & Diversity  2
ENGP 284 Applied Mechanics  3
ENGP 296 Chemistry, Metallurgy, & Drawings  2
MATH 390 Technical Mathematics for Engineering Calculations  1
THER 281 Thermodynamics  2
WORK 185 Work Experience  0

 

  • Year 2 – Semester 4 

 

Code 

 Subject Name 

Credits 

ELEC 291

 Basic Electricity  2

ENGP 280

Refrigeration 

1
ENGP 285 Power Lab 3 3
ENGP 286 Codes & Calculations 1  1
ENGP 290 Pumps & Compressors  2
ENGP 292 Plant Auxiliaries & Prime Movers  3
ENGP 297 Combustion, Piping, & Plant Management   2
INST 280 Control & Instrumentation

2
PROP 280 Process Simulation 2

2
STEA 286 Steam Generation  2
WORK 186 Work Experience  0
WTER 280  Water Treatment  2

 

  • Year 2 – Semester 5 

 

Code 

 Subject Name  Credits 

ADMN 288

 Industrial Administration & Plan Management  2

ENGP 189

 Codes & Calculations 2

2
ENGP 288 Applied Mechanics 

4

ENGP 289

 Power Lab 4 3

ENGP 295

 Testing of Materials & Metallurgy 

2

PROP 290

 Process Simulation 3 

2

STEA 287

 Steam Generation 2

THER 282

 Thermodynamics 

4
WTER 282 Water Treatment 

2

 

Conclusion 

Power engineering technology is an excellent course for people who wish to have job opportunities in manufacturing, mining, power generation, etc. In this course, one gains the knowledge and skills through life and work experiences or non-formal training. 

One significant point to note here is that an applicant can transfer the credit he/ she has gained while moving to another college or university. 

So, this was all the information regarding the power engineering technology course. Let us know whether this course interests you or not and in which sector you intend to find a job!