This Solutions Spotlight article was contributed by IEEE PES.
As an aspiring electrical engineer passionate about creating a more sustainable energy future, I’m excited by the growth in renewable energy deployments and consumer demand to nudge utility companies towards adopting cleaner sources of energy.
In fact, recent data shows renewables accounted for over 90% of total power expansion globally in 2024.
But integrating these intermittent energy sources, such as solar and wind, requires new technologies that can store excess energy during surplus periods and release it during shortfalls. Grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) are emerging as a critical solution to this challenge.
Energy storage creates a wide array of benefits for the electric grid and the communities around the world who rely on its operation. It’s an important piece of the puzzle, providing a flexible, resilient, and decarbonized option for our future electric power system. Unlocking the full potential of energy storage will require harmonized, interoperable policies across battery chemistries and control systems, as well as the deployment of advanced analytics and grid optimization tools.
But developing and installing a critical mass of interoperable batteries isn’t enough – it’s also paramount to train a skilled workforce capable of designing, operating, and maintaining these storage-integrated power systems.
Through an internship at Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), one of the largest utilities in the U.S., and as a student member of IEEE Power & Energy Society (IEEE PES), I’ve witnessed firsthand the potential of battery storage. Those experiences were transformative.
As BESS becomes more integrated into the future energy mix, it must be viewed by academic institutions, professional organizations and utilities alike as an essential part of the education and training of aspiring engineers like me. Today’s training tends to focus mostly on legacy grid operations rather than future-focused solutions.
There’s a disconnect between what college-level curriculums and industry training materials cover and what aspiring engineers like me must learn to fully harness the power of these technologies. We want more education on grid reliability, energy storage and power system operation in undergraduate curricula.
This must be done to ensure the next generation – my generation – learns how to scale technologies like energy storage to bring about a more sustainable future. We can’t afford to play catch-up once we’re in the field.
Beyond formal education, professional organizations should offer young people the chance to learn from seasoned engineers to forge lasting connections and spark new ideas. Through my involvement with IEEE PES, I’ve grown in my career thanks to their technical standards, information-sharing, and mentorship of future engineers. They are well-equipped to drive the adoption of energy storage solutions and give my generation the experience and tools we need to enhance the future grid. More support for these organizations among leaders will serve to benefit the industry and most importantly, our collective future.
Businesses, utilities and academia can expose more young engineers to real-world scenarios through internships and professional organization engagements. Today’s leaders can ensure they leave the electrical engineering industry in capable hands – not only to advance specialized tools like BESS, but also to achieve the more sustainable, reliable and resilient future my generation deserves.
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Ariana Bajaj is an aspiring engineer passionate about the intersection of sustainability, workforce development, and the future of energy. She recently completed a seven-week internship with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, gaining hands-on experience and mentorship from leaders across the industry. She will begin her undergraduate career at Rice University this fall. |
