Power engineers deal with devices (motors, batteries, capacitors); processes and phenomena (such as power conversion, power drop and blackouts); analysis and design (such as estimation of the stability of a power network and power flow studies); and areas such as renewable energy and environmentally-friendly power systems. Power systems research is performed in the areas of analysis, reliability, monitoring, control and protection of power systems. Some of the faculty also have a strong interest in control systems, digital signal processing, and intelligent system applications. Power electronics research is performed in the areas of motor drives, power electronic converters, utility interface issues, active filters and electric and hybrid vehicles. Some of the faculty also have a strong interest in power quality and diagnostics of electrical machines.
Electrical power is a little bit like the air you breathe: You don't really think about it until it is missing. Power is just "there," meeting your every need, constantly. It's only during a power failure, when you walk into a dark room and instinctively hit the useless light switch that you realize how important power is in your daily life. You use electrical power for heating, cooling, cooking, refrigeration, light, sound, entertainment, computers, mobile devices and maybe even your car. Without power, life as we know it doesn't exist.
