Powering the nation: Smart grid careers ur nation’s energy needs have engineering; installation, maintenance, and increased tremendously, especially repair; and production occupational groups. O in the last few decades. But the The third section summarizes the credentials, basic system for transmitting and distributing such as education, training, and certification electricity hasn’t changed in more than a cen- or licensure, that you need to work in these tury. Modernizing the system through “smart occupations. Sources of more information are grid” technology not only improves the way provided at the end. we store and get power, it provides jobs for workers who have the right training. Population growth, an increase in home From functional size and air conditioning, and the prolifera- tion of computers and other electronics are to efficient: among the factors driving growth in demand for electricity in recent decades. According to Updating the grid the U.S. Department of Energy, since 1982, The electricity we use comes from a variety growth in peak demand for electricity has out- of sources, including coal, nuclear power, paced growth in power transmission by almost and natural gas. Powerplants generate elec- 25 percent each year. tricity from these sources and transmit it to The current power grid—the network homes, businesses, and other structures, such for distributing electricity from the power as streetlights. In the grid system, electricity source to consumers—evolved during the late moves from powerplants through high-voltage 19th and early 20th centuries. The grid was lines to distribution stations and on to con- designed to route power to consumers through sumers. high-voltage lines from a small number of Smart grid technology improves upon the powerplants located far from population cen- current grid. Modernizing the current power ters. The amount of power generated at any grid should create a more efficient, reliable, time was based on overall demand and did not and flexible system for supplying electricity. account for fluctuations in use. Because of the James The current power grid high cost and risks associated with making Hamilton large-scale changes, however, little had been The current power grid is made up of net- done to the existing power grid since it was works that include wires, switches, trans- first created. formers, substations, and other equipment. Until now. Smart grid technology (the Originally built as local grids, these networks smart grid), in early stages of implementation eventually were connected into a national nationwide, allows utilities and other electric- power grid during the 1960s. But this system ity suppliers to constantly monitor electricity was based on demand from large population flow and adjust its distribution for maximum centers as a whole and is unreliable for current efficiency. In addition, the smart grid makes needs. For example, when electricity demand better use of energy generated from alterna- increases during certain times of the year, tive sources, such as from solar panels, wind some powerplants can’t keep up; the result James Hamilton turbines, and other energy-generating systems, may be brownouts or blackouts, the partial or is an economist through improved storage and transmission. full loss of power. in the Office of This article describes career fields related Over the past 50 years, the current power Current Employ- to the smart grid. The first section explains grid has not kept up with changes in demand ment Analysis, our electricity transmission by the current based, in part, on advances in technology, BLS. He is avail- power grid and how the smart grid improves such as household appliances and lights able at (202) 691- upon that method. The second section briefly that shut down during peak periods of elec- 7877 or hamilton. describes some of the key occupations in the tricity use. The current grid is inadequate [email protected]. smart grid, including those in the computer; for development, too: it cannot adequately

www.bls.gov/ooq • Fall 2013 27 accommodate the increased use of alterna- electricity to be generated by intermittent tive power sources, including solar and wind sources, such as wind and solar power, and to energy, which have intermittent supply. switch to traditional sources, such as coal and natural gas, when renewable-energy plants The smart grid cannot provide enough power. The smart grid is a digitally enhanced net- Technologies that make up the smart grid work that uses computer-based remote control include advanced metering infrastructure, and automation to increase the efficiency of commonly known in the industry as AMI; the current power grid. These systems employ electricity distribution systems; electricity two-way communication technology and com- transmission systems; and energy storage puter processing used in other industries, such capabilities. Together, these technologies as telecommunications. enable providers to adjust the amount of A key feature of the smart grid is auto- electricity generated and to redirect it to meet mation that allows the utilities to adjust and changes in demand throughout the day. control each device from a central location. Advanced metering infrastructure allows Each device on the smart grid can gather data electricity providers to monitor power use and communicate digitally with the utility continuously. Smart meters installed in homes operations center. The smart grid also helps and businesses measure real-time electric- power generation move toward the use of a ity use and transmit the data to the provider, more green technology. which can modify power generation accord- Green technology. The smart grid is ingly. vital to a green economy because it promotes Electricity distribution systems provide viability of environmentally friendly technolo- real-time monitoring and intelligent computer gies, such as renewable energy sources. For control. Monitoring and control allow opera- example, smart grid technology allows more tors to detect problems with the grid, such as

Smart grid technology promotes the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar power.

28 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Fall 2013 power outages, and to dispatch repair crews immediately to minimize the time consumers Improved energy are without power. transmission systems Electricity transmission systems allow allow electricity to be power to be sent to areas where it is needed rerouted to where it is most, when it is needed most. These improved transmission systems divert electricity from needed most. areas of low demand and reroute it to areas with high demand, as needed. Energy storage capabilities are an impor- tant part of integrating renewable power sources. Because renewable sources do not supply electricity continuously, they may not be effective during certain times of the day. For example, if the wind is blowing at night, wind turbines produce power that is unlikely to be used during this low-demand period. But improved energy storage prevents this energy from being wasted, by providing a way to save the excess for use when demand is higher. Putting smart grid into practice. Smart grid technologies are beginning to be used on electricity networks from powerplants to substations and on to consumers in homes and businesses. Federal law supports modernizing the current power grid to meet future electricity demand. Among other provisions, the law Occupations in authorizes smart grid technology research, development, demonstration, and funding. smart grid work The U.S. Department of Energy has a number According to the U.S. Department of Energy, of projects and studies related to smart grid companies producing technology and offering development, as does nearly every state. services related to the smart grid include com- However, states are inconsistent in smart munications firms and new and established grid application. For example, according to technology firms. the MIT Technology Review, states such as Implementing the smart grid requires California and Texas have begun to install many workers in various occupations. And equipment but have not yet completed the after the smart grid is set up, other workers network required for the grid to fully function. will be needed to operate and maintain it. As of June 2013, only Florida has a large- Work related to the smart grid is expected to scale, comprehensive smart grid operating. result in about 280,000 new positions, accord- Advanced metering infrastructure tech- ing to energy consulting firm DNV KEMA. nology is furthest along in implementation. These jobs span several occupational groups According to the U.S. Energy Information and include engineers, technicians, and con- Administration, electric utilities had installed struction workers. In addition to employment more than 37 million smart meters in the with utilities, many workers will be hired by United States in 2011. Most of these—about suppliers and contractors. 33.5 million—were residential installations by The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) investor-owned utilities. does not collect employment or wage data

www.bls.gov/ooq • Fall 2013 29 specifically for occupations related to the automation. As a result, computer systems smart grid. The table below shows the May analysts, network and computer systems 2012 employment and wages for occupations administrators, operations research analysts, related to smart grid work, primarily in the and software developers are needed to create, electric power generation, transmission, and operate, and maintain the computer systems distribution industry. that the smart grid uses. Workers in these occupations spend most Computer and mathematical occupations of their time indoors working with comput- One of the defining characteristics of the ers. They are usually employed by utilities, smart grid is increased computer control and technology firms, or government agencies

Employment and wages for selected occupations related to the smart grid, May 20121

Median Occupation Employment annual wage2 Computer and mathematical occupations Computer systems analysts 2,090 $88,820 Network and computer systems administrators 1,720 74,930 Operations research analysts 380 75,170 Software developers, systems software 580 91,050 Architecture and engineering occupations Electrical engineers 14,780 85,350 Electronics engineers, except computer 310 75,980 Electrical and electronics engineering technicians 6,840 65,160 Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay 16,520 69,120 Electrical power-line intallers and repairers 57,540 65,690 Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers 130 70,370 Production occupations Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers3 197,500 28,810 Power distributors and dispatchers 6,740 71,200 Power plant operators 30,060 67,010 Other occupations Electricians 6,810 61,160 Meter readers, utilities 8,860 44,380 Urban and regional planners 50 71,180

1 BLS does not have employment and wage data specifically for smart grid occupations. Except where specified, these data are for occupations in the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution industry. Data are for wage and salary workers only and do not include the self-employed. 2 Data are for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location. In addition, these wage data do not include benefits. 3 Data are not available for electrical and electronic equipment assemblers in the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution industry. These data represent employment and wages for the occupation as a whole. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment Statistics.

30 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Fall 2013 and may work in offices or in a control center. power generation and transmission capacity is Network administrators may be required to developed before it is needed. travel to different locations to troubleshoot Software developers design, test, and and fix problems. evaluate the applications and systems that Computer systems analysts have a variety make computers work. The computer systems of roles. They may specialize in helping select that run the smart grid require specialized the appropriate system hardware or in devel- software. Software developers are needed to oping and fine-tuning systems. They could create this software and to modify it to suit work with computer programmers to debug, each electric utility’s individual needs. eliminate errors from, or do in-depth testing of the systems. Because the smart grid relies Architecture and engineering occupations more on computer control than the cur- Engineers apply science and mathematics to rent grid, computer systems analysts will be develop economical solutions to technical needed to help build these systems and man- problems. Many engineers specify require- age them once they are operating. ments and then design, test, and integrate components to produce designs for new Network and computer systems adminis- products. After the design phase, engineers trators install and maintain an organization’s evaluate a design’s effectiveness, cost, reliabil- computer systems. Many components of the ity, and safety. Electrical engineers, electron- smart grid depend on reliable computer net- ics engineers, and electrical and electronics works to operate, so these workers are needed engineering technicians are needed in smart to ensure that computer systems function grid work. properly and that problems are fixed rapidly. Most engineers and engineering techni- Operations research analysts formulate cians work indoors, usually in an office or and apply analytical methods from math- laboratory. For smart grid work, they use ematics, science, and engineering to develop computers extensively to produce and analyze and interpret information. They reduce the designs and for simulating and testing sys- complexity of resource management to help tems. Engineering technicians assist engi- utilities make better decisions and to improve neers with designing, developing, and testing efficiency. Using sophisticated software, these quality-control products and processes. Engi- workers solve problems and are often involved neers and technicians are typically employed in planning and forecasting. For example, they by electric utilities, government agencies, or may predict future electricity needs so that construction firms.

Engineers in smart grid jobs use computers to produce and analyze designs.

www.bls.gov/ooq • Fall 2013 31 Electrical engineers design, test, and equipment that controls a smart grid. They supervise manufacturing and construction of are employed by powerplants and utilities, electrical equipment, including power genera- and job tasks vary based on where they work. tion, communications systems, control, and For example, line installers and repairers transmission devices. In smart grid work, employed by utilities maintain low-voltage electrical engineers typically focus on power distribution lines and equipment such as trans- generation and supply. formers, voltage regulators, and switches. Electronics engineers work on applica- Line workers travel with a crew to main- tions for a range of smart grid technologies, tain smart grid transmission lines and towers including control systems that monitor how throughout a region. Some occupations are much electricity is being used at certain loca- dangerous because workers must be close tions and systems that monitor electricity pro- to high-voltage electricity or high above the duced at generating stations, solar panels, or ground to do certain job tasks. wind turbines. They also design and develop control systems for powerplants. Electrical and electronics repairers fix Electrical and electronics engineering equipment used in generating and delivering technicians help design, develop, test, and electricity. Electrical equipment generally make electrical and electronic equipment. refers to what is used to generate or sup- Technicians may test and evaluate products, ply electricity, including transformers and using measuring and diagnostic devices switches; electronic equipment is used to to adjust and to repair equipment. Many control devices, such as those that monitor and engineering technicians assist engineers in adjust the flow of electricity based on demand researching and developing electric and elec- in a given area. Repairers troubleshoot prob- tronic equipment for smart grids. lems and fix damaged or broken equipment. Electrical power-line installers and Installation, maintenance, and repairers build and maintain the smart grid. repair occupations They routinely work with high-voltage elec- Telecommunications workers install, main- tricity, which requires extreme caution. They tain, and upgrade the communications inspect and test power lines and other equip- ment and install power lines between poles, Electrical power-line towers, and buildings. installers and repairers Telecommunications equipment install- ers and repairers have a range of duties that build and maintain the varies by the type of work they do and where smart grid. they work. Most work outdoors to install and repair smart grid equipment that transmits data to utility control centers and computers that monitor electricity supply and demand.

Production occupations Operating the smart grid requires new equip- ment for generating plants and substations to handle increased capacity. Other plants and substations must be upgraded with smart grid technologies. Equipment assemblers, power distributors and dispatchers, and power plant operators are needed to prepare and control these smart grid facilities.

32 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Fall 2013 These workers spend time indoors in When demand changes, power plant operators factories, offices, operations centers, or pow- communicate with dispatchers at distribution erplants. centers to match production with system loads Electrical and electronic equipment and alter electricity output, as needed. assemblers construct the equipment used in the smart grid. They assemble components of Other occupations smart meters and other equipment used in the Among the other occupations in smart grid real-time monitoring of electricity demand. work are electricians, meter readers, and Some of their job tasks are repetitive. urban and regional planners. Electricians Power distributors and dispatchers con- install smart meters and other equipment at trol the flow of electricity through transmis- homes and businesses. Meter readers’ occupa- sion lines to industrial plants and substations, tion will undergo transformation with smart which in turn supply residents and businesses. grid implementation, and their jobs are likely They operate electrical current converters, to change. Urban and regional planners are voltage transformers, and circuit breakers. important in the analysis and arrangement of They also monitor other distribution equip- the power grid. ment and record readings at a map board, Electricians install and maintain electri- a diagram of the smart grid that shows the cal systems for homes and businesses, work- status of transmission circuits and connections ing with electrical wiring and control equip- with substations and industrial plants. ment. Electricians who work with smart grid Power plant operators in power- technologies install smart meters and must be generating plants control and monitor equip- familiar with smart appliances, lighting, and ment, such as boilers, turbines, generators, other technologies associated with the smart and auxiliary equipment. They regulate the grid. output from generators and monitor instru- Electricians usually work indoors, often in ments to adjust electricity flow from the plant. cramped spaces, and may spend a lot of time

Electricians in smart grid jobs must be familiar with other technologies associated with the smart grid.

www.bls.gov/ooq • Fall 2013 33 kneeling, lifting, or standing. Most electri- cians work for electrical contractors and other Training for wiring installation contractors, but some are self-employed. smart grid jobs Meter readers will be heavily affected by To prepare for smart grid jobs, some workers, the implementation of the smart grid. Meters including electrical engineers, already have for the current grid are attached to houses and many of the skills they need but will require other buildings, where they must be periodi- additional training to transition to the new cally read and recorded by a meter reader. technologies. Other workers, such as meter But the smart grid relies on advanced meter- readers, need extensive retraining to gain ing infrastructure—automation that does not more diverse, higher level skills for new smart require meter reading as it currently exists. As grid jobs. a result, meter readers need to be retrained for This section describes the basic cre- another occupation. dentials needed for workers in occupations covered in the previous section. Specific train- Meter readers work mostly outdoors, driv- ing required for smart grid positions vary by ing or walking around neighborhoods. They employer. are employed primarily by utilities. Urban and regional planners develop Computer occupations long- and short-term plans for land use and Training for workers in computer jobs span a community growth. They recommend to local range of requirements, from professional cer- officials infrastructure and zoning locations, tification through a graduate degree—some- which requires forecasting population needs. times within a single occupation. In smart grid work, they determine a com- Computer systems analysts and network munity’s electricity requirements based on its and computer systems administrators often industries, population, and employment and need a bachelor’s degree, although an associ- economic trends. This information helps local ate’s degree or professional certification plus and regional utilities in developing the smart work experience may be adequate for some grid. jobs. Most systems administrators begin as Most urban and regional planners work in computer support specialists before advancing offices, usually for state or local governments. to administrator positions.

For some smart grid jobs, workers may already have many of the skills they need, such as proficiency with computers.

34 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Fall 2013 Network and computer system adminis- manufacturer or utility. Licensure as a profes- trators can enhance their employment oppor- sional engineer is often required, depending tunities by earning certifications, which are on an engineer’s specialty. offered through product vendors, computer Entry-level engineers may be hired as associations, and other training institutions. interns or junior team members and work Many employers regard these certifications as under the supervision of senior engineers. As the industry standard and sometimes require they gain experience, entry-level engineers are them. Because technology changes rapidly, assigned more complex tasks and gain inde- computer specialists must complete periodic pendence to develop leadership skills. training to stay abreast of the latest develop- Electrical and electronics engineering ments. technicians usually have an associate’s degree Operations research analysts must have or certificate from a community college or a bachelor’s degree that includes extensive technical school. Technicians participate coursework in mathematics and other quanti- in on-the-job training for several months, tative subjects. But many employers prefer to depending on their specialty and employer, hire candidates who have a master’s degree and are supervised by engineers. in operations research, management science, or a related field—such as computer science, Installation, maintenance, and engineering, business, applied mathemat- repair occupations ics, or information systems. Dual graduate Depending on the occupation, installation, degrees in operations research and computer maintenance, and repair workers either have science make candidates especially attractive formal education or train on the job. to employers. Electrical and electronics repairers must Continuing education is important for be knowledgeable about electrical equipment operations research analysts. Keeping up to and electronics. Employers often prefer to hire date with technological advances, software candidates who have an associate’s degree tools, and improvements in analytical methods from a community college or technical school, is vital for maintaining problem-solving skills. although a high school diploma is sufficient Software developers commonly need a for some jobs. Entry-level repairers may begin bachelor’s degree, although for some posi- by working under the guidance of experienced tions employers may prefer to hire candidates technicians and work independently after who have a master’s degree. For other jobs, an developing their skills. associate’s degree or certificate is adequate. Electrical power-line installers and Employers favor job candidates who have repairers get most of their training on the job. relevant skills and experience. Workers who Most employers require candidates to have a keep current with the latest technology usually high school diploma or equivalent, along with have the best opportunities for advancement. basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry and good reading and writing skills. Engineering occupations Line installers and repairers often must Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree complete formal apprenticeships or other in engineering. Because of the complexity of training programs. These programs, which some systems, however, a significant num- can last up to 5 years, combine on-the-job ber of employers require candidates to have training with technical instruction. Safety a master’s or doctoral degree. Engineers are regulations define the training and educational expected to complete continuing education requirements for apprentice electrical line and to keep up with rapidly changing technol- installers, but licensure is not required. ogy. Telecommunications equipment install- Certifications are usually required and ers and repairers usually need postsecondary depend on the systems used by a particular education. Many community colleges offer

www.bls.gov/ooq • Fall 2013 35 programs in telecommunications, electron- training, and experience. Power plant opera- ics, or electricity. Some programs work with tors need strong mechanical, technical, and local companies to offer 1-year certificates computer skills. Workers in jobs that could that emphasize hands-on fieldwork. More affect the power grid must have certification advanced 2-year associate’s degree programs from the North American Electric Reliability offer courses in electricity, electronics, fiber Corporation. For highly technical jobs, work- optics, and microwave transmission. ers need a strong math and science back- ground. Production occupations Because of security concerns, many Workers in these production occupations power plant operators are subject to back- should have at least a high school diploma or ground investigations and must not have a equivalent, but they also may need skills and criminal record. They also must be willing to experience or other training. submit to random drug testing. Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers usually have a high school Other occupations diploma or equivalent and are trained on the Training requirements vary for electricians, job for a few weeks to several months. Some meter readers, and urban and regional plan- employers prefer to hire assemblers who have ners. some training or experience working with Electricians train through supervised electrical or electronic equipment, either apprenticeships administered by technical through previous employment or from training schools and community colleges. Apprentice- at a community college or technical school. ships usually consist of 4 or 5 years of paid Powerplant workers, including distribu- on-the-job training and at least 144 hours of tors, dispatchers and operators, generally related technical instruction per year. Appli- need a combination of education, on-the-job cants for apprenticeships must be at least 18

Powerplant workers generally need a combination of education, on-the-job training, and experience.

36 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Fall 2013 years old and in good physical condition. Drug tests may be required, and most appren- ticeship programs ask that applicants have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Most states require electricians to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary, but states commonly require 2 to 5 years of expe- rience, followed by a test of knowledge about the trade and local codes. Meter readers usually need a high school diploma and a valid driver’s license. Jobs in this occupation will be difficult to find as the smart grid is developed, however. Meter readers will need to be retrained to work in another occupation. Urban and regional planners typically have at least a master’s degree in urban or regional planning or a related field. Some urban and regional planners may earn pro- fessional certification with the appropriate combination of education and professional Quarterly (OOQ) has published a number of experience and by passing an examination. recent articles on topics related to education and training, including: • “Apprenticeship: Earn while you learn,” For more information www.bls.gov/ooq/2013/summer/ This article describes some of the occupa- art01.pdf tions related to smart grid technologies. To • “Certificates: A fast track to careers,” learn more about these and other occupations www.bls.gov/ooq/2012/winter/art01. related to electric power, see the BLS Occu- pdf pational Outlook Handbook (OOH), www. • “High wages after high school—with- bls.gov/ooh. The OOH describes hundreds out a bachelor’s degree,” www.bls.gov/ of occupations in dozens of industries and ooq/2012/summer/art03.pdf includes details about employment, wages, • “Paving the occupational path: A new education and training requirements, and job system for assigning education and outlook. training,” www.bls.gov/ooq/2011/fall/ The BLS Occupational Employment art02.pdf Statistics (OES) program provides employ- To find Energy Department-sponsored ment and wage data for occupations nation- training programs related to all lev- ally and by industry and geographic location. els of smart grid development, visit the Additionally, you can create customized tables Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse at by industry and geographic area. See the OES www.sgiclearinghouse.org/education. In occupation profiles at www.bls.gov/oes/ addition to information about degree and current/oes_stru.htm. nondegree programs, the clearinghouse offers In addition to this article, BLS has pub- links to short courses, webinars, and tutorials lished other information about green careers. from other providers. See www.bls.gov/green/greencareers.htm. For general information about the smart Preparing for smart grid jobs may require grid, including government-sponsored smart additional training for workers in existing grid projects, visit the U.S. Department of occupations. The Occupational Outlook Energy site www.smartgrid.gov.

www.bls.gov/ooq • Fall 2013 37