Engineers Can Power Up Skills With Online Course

Photo Submitted

Roy McCann, left, professor of electrical engineering, discusses converter hardware topology and design.

Professional engineers and graduate students can enroll in a new, online course designed to provide participants with a foundation for analysis and design of grid connected power electronic circuits for conversion and control of electric energy.

The Grid-connected Advanced Power Electronic Systems Center led by the U of A that promotes the use of power electronics technology in the nation's electric grid is offering the course. Professional engineers can earn 10 hours of continuing education credit for completing it. A full description of learning objectives and course content is available on the course website.

The course costs $600 but is available at a discounted price of $50 to current U of A students and $300 to industry members of the center.

In Arkansas, electrical engineers who hold a professional license must complete 30 professional development hours every two years for renewal.

Faculty and students associated with the research center created the course, which combines theoretical insights with real-world project case studies.

GRAPES, founded in 2009, works with industry to improve power electronics technology and integrate it with the needs of industry and of the power grid as a whole. It's a collaboration among the U of A, the University of South Carolina, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and industrial and governmental members.