In the future, the power generation industry will be undergoing a revolution. New technologies such as adavced solar panels, smart grids, and energy storage facilities are coming in the near future. These new technologies will need a skilled workforce to realize their potential.

In the context of India, it is very crucial as of now with 442 GW installed capacity as of March 2024. The target for FY2024 includes generation of 1,750 billion units with 7.2% growth rate from last year.

Looking at the categories of power technology, which include nuclear power generation, it is noteworthy to point out the skills required by the professionals. Moving towards the establishment of sustainable practices calls for an understanding of new energy solutions. As such, it becomes really important for workers to prepare for the changing demands in this fast-moving industry.

This blog will explore new skills for power generation professionals. It will focus on new technology, which will shape electricity generation’s future.

Key Takeaways

1. 1. A highly skilled workforce with the proficiency to be great at new technologies on power Industry will bring about sustainable energy solutions.
   2. Continuous learning is the key to preparing employees for new challenges in the electricity generation industry.
   3. Employee development: Companies should have employee growth. They must offer specific training programs, which are on par with AITD.
   4. Technical as well as soft skills pave the way to innovation and always look to improve work efficiency in the power supply sector.

(Source: Power of Ministry)

Do You Know? India plans for non-fossil fuel sources to make up about 50% of its electricity by 2030.

What is Power Generation?

Power Generation is the process of converting different forms of energy into electrical energy. It uses different methods, each with its technology and fuel. The major ways of producing electricity include:

1. 1. Thermal Power Stations: They burn fossil fuel such as coal, natural gas, or oil. This hot energy converts to steam that causes turbines coupled with generators to spin around. Thermal power is a massive provider of electricity in the world but criticism of its environmental effect is the very thing that receives criticism.
   2. Solar Electric Power Generation: Using sun, solar energy depends on either photovoltaic cells or solar thermal systems. It’s highly popular as it is ‘green’ and getting cheaper.
   3. Generation using Wind: In this generation, there are wind turbines converting the kinetic energy of winds into electrical energy. One can easily find wind farms in many countries, and these serve as good means to reach renewable energy targets.
   4. Generation by Nuclear: Nuclear plants generate heat by fission and let steam create movement in turbines. Carbon emissions are low, but there are issues of safety and waste handling.

Types of Power Generation: From Thermal to Renewable Energy Sources

Knowledge of the several types of power sources is therefore basic for practitioners. Here are some significant ones, to be explored in more detail below:

1. Thermal Power Stations

Thermal power stations represent the global forms of energy generation mainly. They convert heat energy resulting from fossil fuel or nuclear chemical reactions into electric energy.

How Thermal Power Stations Work

1. Combustion of Fuel: The process involves the combustion of fossil fuel coal, oil, or natural gas to generate the required amount of heat.

2. Boiling Steam: Water at boiling point turns into steam.

3. Activation of the turbine: Steam drives the steam turbine of a generator.

4. Electricity Generation: A generator converts the mechanical form of energy into electrical form.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Essential Characteristics of Thermal Power Plants

• • Efficiency: They are becoming efficient and low in pollution.

• • Fuel: They burn coal, natural gas, or even oil.

• • Environmental Aspect: They emit a lot of carbon-di-oxide, which creates a requirement to find better alternatives to generate energy.

2. Renewable Energy Sources

Do You Know? The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports renewable energy accounted for roughly 21% of electricity in the United States in 2023. Wind and solar power were among the biggest contributors.

2.1 Wind Power Generation

Wind energy generation works by using turbines to transform wind into electricity.

• • Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy of the wind and, therefore, converts it to mechanical energy, and then it drives a generator

• • Global wind power has become a significant contributor as it covers more than 7% of the total electricity generation

Advantages of Wind Power

• • Renewable: Wind energy is a source of energy that can be renewed and does not produce any emission during its use.

• • Economical: The cost of wind power has cut down significantly to a point where it is competitive with that of fossil fuels.

2.2 Solar Electric Power Generation

Solar electric power generation employs the photovoltaic cell to convert sunlight into electricity.

• • Photovoltaic panels can be mounted on rooftops or in huge solar farms.

• • In 2023, solar energy accounts for about 4% of India’s total electricity production.

Advantages of Solar Energy

• • Resource Abundance: Solar power is abundant and widely available.

• • Less Carbon Emission: The use of solar energy has reduced the consumption of fossil fuels and, subsequently, the emission of greenhouse gases.

2.3 Nuclear Power Generation

The generation of nuclear power is through nuclear fission that produces heat to power turbines.

• • Nuclear plants account for approximately 20% of electricity in the USA.

• • Nuclear power is a low-carbon resource, though necessary safety measures apply in the process as the source can prove to be detrimental in nature

Characteristics of Nuclear Power Plant

• • High Energy Density: Nuclear plants require little fuel but produce a lot of power.

• • Reliability: Nuclear power is a reliable source of continuous electricity generation.

The Emerging Technologies: Training Needs for Tomorrow’s Workforce

The energy sector is constantly transforming. Such changes will require people who are aware of these technologies. Some of the critical areas that the workers in this sector should have covered include the following:

1. Knowledge of Technical Issues

Know the mechanisms involved in various types of power plants. Individuals in such a field must know how electricity is produced from different sources: fossil fuel, nuclear energy, and renewable energy.

2. Renewable Energy Competency

 As sustainability begins to take center stage, the skills about generating solar electric power as well as wind power become pertinent. Experts must be informed regarding designing, implementing, and maintaining renewable source systems.

DO YOU KNOW? According to findings from AITD, training has led to a remarkable improvement in job performance for over 85% of trainees.

3. Data Analysis and AI

Integration of technology in the generation of power requires the analysis of data. Professionals need to have data analytics skills to ensure increasing energy production and consumption.

4. Knowledge of Regulation

Every generation cycle needs one’s understanding of regulatory affairs. The employees should be aware of every governmental policy related to energy production, emission standards, and incentives in renewable energy.

5. Project Management

Increased levels of complicated projects and the introduction of the latest technologies require excellent management skills to execute on time and efficiently.

Do You Know? The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) anticipates that global solar power capacity will grow by 9% per year from 2018 to 2050 and could perhaps hit over 8,000 GW.

Innovative Technologies Shaping the Future of Power Supply

The future of power technology will greatly be defined by innovation. Smart grids, battery storage systems, and carbon capture and storage are changing the way power is produced and used.

1. 1. Smart Grids: These digital systems increase efficiencies by way of real-time monitoring and managing distribution networks of electricity for enhancing the generation of electricity, strengthening the reliability of a power plant, and more. It makes better integration of renewable sources of energy, which includes solar electric and wind power generation, and encourages more competent choice decision-making by the consumer.
   2. Energy Storage Solutions: Advancement in battery technology allows for one to store more renewable energy, which helps ease intermittency-related issues of supply. It is very important to generation of electricity from variable resources like wind and solar while keeping the supply stable.
   3. Carbon Capture Technology: CCS reduces carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel-based thermal power plants by capturing CO2 before it reaches the atmosphere, contributing thereby to cleaner electricity generation methods.

As these technologies continue to develop, the face of Indian and global power technology will change, creating a need for a workforce that is trained in these areas to ensure sustainable energy practices.

There is, therefore, an increased need for organisations operating in the power production sector to invest in workforce development as we look forward to the future. Besides purely technical skills, investments in training programs should acquire soft skills related to emerging technologies renewable energy sources and smart grid management in the workforce so that employees will be equipped to address future challenges.

The role of the institutions like Amity Institute of Training & Development (AITD)  is critical. They provide valuable resources that help in growth. This growth is the vital ingredient for the power sector to ensure itself so that it stays robust and keeps track with changes.

(Source: Deloitte)

The Deloitte Insights published a report on the power sector. In the report, it addresses the skills that are apt for the future-a future with data analytics and knowledge of renewable tech. It opines that learning new tech is important while we keep going deeper into increasing our reliance on electric power so that the power flows smoothly.

Our Solutions

Exploring Power Generation in India: How AITD Can Assist

AITD is profoundly important to the power supply field. With all the constant changes in the industry, an educated workforce has never been so crucial. Specialized programs are offered under AITD in areas such as financial statements and project management to enhance this.

DO YOU KNOW? AITD doesn’t only train, but it also researches. This keeps the training up-to-date with the needs of the marketplace.

What Skills Are Critical for Future Power Generation Professionals?

1. 1. Keeping pace with Technological Advancements: Renewable sources of energy, like solar and wind power, need non-stop learning. With AITD, professionals acquire the skills in these new systems.
   2. Knowledge of various types of Power sources: Knowing how to generate power from thermal and nuclear sources is crucial. AITD’s courses cut across these systems.
   3. Technical Skills: A good engineer must start from a good footing in terms of engineering to analyze data and deal with the grid. In AITD, technical skills are imperative.
   4. Soft Skills: An effective collaborator with advanced technical knowledge of engineering, mathematics, and data analysis is important. The training of AITD includes these soft skills for teamwork.

What is the Focus Area of AITD

• • Technical Skills Development: Engineering, Data Analysis, and Grid Management are the focus areas of AITD as these are a critical requisite in understanding power engineering.

• • Soft Skills Development: Skills related to communication, and teamwork, are extremely required and utilized in team work in the scenario of power technology in India

• • The mindset of Continuous Learning: AITD promotes a culture of continuous learning. That is required to be on the latest of things in the field of work.

Preparation for the Future by AITD

With AITD-based workforce development, companies can take the edge in an evolving world of electricity generation. Skills enhancement and lifelong learning position companies better in dealing with future problems. It also opens up to a future of sustainable energy.