Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and celebrated every February since 1951, Engineers Week was established to recognize how much engineers have contributed to society and the critical role that engineering plays in our lives. Celebrated this year from 16-22 February, Engineers Week stands as a reminder of how engineers have changed the world.

A History of Innovation

Throughout history, electrical engineers in particular have been responsible for some of the world’s most pivotal inventions.

Among them, Thomas Edison’s 1,000+ patents throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries included the incandescent light bulb and phonograph. Edison also established electric utilities, which helped make electricity more accessible to homes and businesses. (The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) was also first published in the early 20th century.) Around the same time, Nikola Tesla’s development of AC electrical systems, as well as his invention of the Tesla coil and induction motor, revolutionized telecommunications, power transmission/generation, and wireless technology. In the 1950s, Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce’s joint invention of the integrated circuit led to the miniaturization of electronic devices and the rise of personal computers, smart phones, semiconductors, and modern electronics.

Shaping Society Through Technology

More recently, electrical engineers have driven some of the most important developments shaping society today. These include smart grids, which enable electric utilities to engage in two-way communications with customers and make real-time adjustments, as well as energy storage systems, which promote electric resiliency by allowing for the storage of renewable energy (generated by solar power, wind, etc.) for use at a later time. Popular everyday items such as smart watches, thermostats, fitness trackers, telehealth systems, and many other devices are possible thanks to the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), which enables “connected” devices to collect, analyze, and share data. 

Elsewhere, the recent development and proliferation of electric vehicles aims to help reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change. Additionally, the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and quantum computing will continue to transform everything from healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation to customer service, banking, gaming, semiconductor design, weather forecasting, and more. This led Time Magazine to identify AI as a major force that will “reshape the world.”

Breakthrough developments like those above – as well as inventions that have yet to be imagined – rely on the technical expertise, vision, and creative efforts of electrical engineers. These professionals serve within a high-demand field worldwide. They can apply their talents to indelibly impact any number of diverse and dynamic industries.

Simply put, the field of engineering is positioned firmly at the edge of innovation, and the efforts of electrical engineers in particular are critical to the operation of modern society.

IEEE: Keeping You at the Forefront

Each year, Engineers Week helps increase public awareness regarding the positive contributions engineers make while also promoting careers in engineering and shining a spotlight on the importance of technical education.

As the professional home for the technology community worldwide for generations, IEEE has long been a renowned source of education in the broad range of fields that it encompasses. In honor of Engineers Week, the IEEE Learning Network (ILN) is offering a 25% discount on some of its most popular course programs. The special discount is available through 11:59 pm ET on 28 February 2025. Simply use code EW25 at checkout!

Eligible course programs include:

Engineers Week is a great time to celebrate the field of engineering and invest in yourself. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn something new while earning professional development credit and digital badges that will enable you to showcase your new skillset!

 

Resources

National Engineers Week. National Today.

Engineers Week. National Society of Professional Engineers.

The Top 20 Famous Engineers Who Shaped the Modern World. Discover Engineering.

Kerwin, Jenna. (31 January 2025). Technology Trends in Electrical Engineering. Excelsior University.

Suleyman, Mustafa. How the AI Revolution Will Reshape the World. Time.

Hamilton, Ilana. (7 February 2024). 5 Careers in Electrical Engineering to Consider. Forbes.

10 Examples of Internet of Things (IoT) in Everyday Life. Nike Oregon Project.

Cloke, Harry. (28 July 2022). 70 Powerful Quotes About Learning to Inspire You! Growth Engineering.

NESC-2023-national-electrical-safety-code

Energy grids provide electricity to millions of homes and businesses via a complex and vulnerable network of power plants, transmission lines, and distribution centers. Ensuring the grids run as intended is a priority for all who work in the power and energy sector. As innovative technologies, new opportunities, and safety issues arise, the National Electrical Safety Code® (NESC®) evolves to address concerns. The latest edition, NESC 2023, protects both the public and utility workers, as it is the authoritative code for ensuring the continued practical safeguarding of utility facilities.

Prevailing Threats & Projections

As the growing number and severity of extreme weather events make headlines worldwide, utilities are wisely focused on grid resiliency. Power outages triggered by major storms have doubled in the past twenty years and experts at Colorado State University predict an above average 2022 storm season with 19 hurricanes. 

Also this year, the number of cyber security risks to critical infrastructure have escalated—disrupting or compromising our lives by taking down nuclear, energy, financial, or technology sectors. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, even a short-lived attack on the power grid could cause substantial interruptions to security systems and important lines of communication. 

One of the largest frontiers in the power and energy field today is the development and implementation of smart grid technology and clean energy. The smart grid market is projected to grow US$103.4 billion by 2026, as governments around the world have imposed several supportive policies and mandates that focus on implementing smart grids and spreading awareness about energy conservation. 

According to an article from the Union of Concerned Scientists, removing barriers to energy storage is key to a clean energy future. Having enough energy storage will help support the massive number of renewables that will be added to the grid in the coming decades.

Highlights of NESC 2023

Published by IEEE SA and updated every five years to stay current with changes in the industry and technology, the NESC specifies best practices to safeguard the electric supply and communication utility systems at both public and private utilities. The NESC is continuously evolving to embrace new technologies, and the Code reflects potential impact of recent and emerging technologies. 

Notable changes to the 2023 NESC include:

  • Significant revisions covering batteries, addressing new battery technologies, energy storage, and backup power.
  • A new section for photovoltaic generating stations with rules to accommodate large-scale solar power projects.
  • The Code further clarifies the use of non-hazardous fiber optic cables.

“The 2023 NESC includes updates throughout, many of which address emerging technologies such as solar and wind energy, distributed energy/microgrids, batteries and energy storage, and wireless small cell networks,” said Nelson Bingel, chair of the NESC Committee.

Stay Current with NESC 2023

Help your company to comply with the latest guidelines. The NESC® 2023: National Electrical Safety Code training is a complete seven-course program NESC program online through IEEE Xplore and on IEEE Learning Network. This course series aims to educate power utility professionals on the rules, regulations, and changes in the 2023 edition of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC). Presented by industry leaders who helped write the standard, this course program takes an in-depth look at the NESC and covers the Code in its entirety.

Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn more about this program and how to get access to it for your organization.

Interested in the program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

Resources

BusinessWire. (3 August 2022). IEEE Publishes 2023 National Electrical Safety Code. BusinessWire.

Certec Corporation. (15 August 2022). The importance of critical infrastructure protection in the energy sector. Power Engineering.

Copeland, Mark. (1 August 2022). Innovating Grid Resilience from the Outside In. PowerMag.

 MarketsandMarkets Research Pvt. Ltd. (18 August 2022). Smart Grid Market Size Projected to Grow $103.4 Billion by 2026 | at a CAGR of 19.1%. GlobeNewswire.

Pereira, Guillermo. (17 August 2022). Removing Barriers to Energy Storage is Key to a Clean Energy Future. Union of Concerned Scientists.

One of the biggest frontiers in electrical engineering today is the development and implementation of smart grid technology. Fueled by the global demand for greener technologies and alternative fuels, environmentally-friendly smart grid technology has the ability to stimulate stagnated economies. It can change the way utilities deliver power to electricity consumers around the world.

Smart grid technology combines existing electrical infrastructure with digital technologies and advanced applications. It provides much more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective energy distribution. It’s a merger of power systems, information technology, telecommunications, switchgear, and local power generation, along with other fields. As these separate technologies become merged, new safety considerations must be taken into account.

Ever since the days of Thomas Edison, people have been concerned with the safety of electrical devices. As innovative technologies and new opportunities and safety issues arise, the National Electrical Safety Code® (NESC®) evolves to address any and all concerns.

The NESC Evolves with Advancing Technology

As plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and full electric vehicles (EVs) replace gasoline-only burning vehicles, public parking lots will need to be equipped with outdoor charging stations. This includes pay-for-use charging stations. These stations will integrate technologies such as electrical metering, switching, information technology, telecommunications, and currency handling technology.

Safety comes into play in making the charging station terminals safe for unskilled drivers to use. It also involves guarding against intentional access to hazardous voltages, as well as protecting communication circuits. This may mean putting telecommunication protectors at each end of a campus-run communication conductor, where an exposure to lightning or accidental contact with electric power conductors exists.

Vehicle charging stations are just one example of how advances in technology lead to NESC updates.

Stay on Top of the NESC

smart grid safety national electrical safety code 2017 ieee standards

The safety of utility-owned smart grid equipment within power generation or transmission circuits continues to be evaluated. This evaluation includes the service conductors to customer buildings. Professionals conduct the work in accordance with basic utility safety standards or codes, including NESC.

To help your company prepare to comply with the latest safety guidelines, IEEE offers a complete seven-course NESC program online through IEEE Xplore :

Order the complete program today and stay on top of the critical tech issues affecting the industry.

Resources

Gies, Don. (1 Mar 2014). Safety Considerations for Smart Grid Technology Equipment. In Compliance.