Abstract:
Electric energy is a fundamental prerequisite for prosperity in any community, moreso for South Africa. Energy is needed for existence at large, while electric energy is a prerequisite for the development of any community.
The earth has a continuous power input of nearly 20 million Terrawatt from the sun. This large amount of energy is in fact ten thousand times larger than the current annual world energy consumption, if the power input is taken over one year. It seems that we have a lot of energy, unfortunately the energy is spread over a large area, the peak power density form the sun is reasonably low and interrupted by daily cycles. There is therefore a great number of oportunities, in energy technology, open to electrical engineers.
The challenges and contraints of the electrical engineer in a decade and century of multiple technology innovations are described. The emphasis is placed on energy technology and the associated creation of prosperity within South Africa. The intervening of engineers to energy careers is addressed with reference to opportunities in research activities and selfrealization. Aspects of the training of electrical engineers, curricula, and properties of electrical engineers are discussed, with reference to the role of the electrical engineer in the South African industry.
