How could electrical engineering improve the quality of life and influence the way the world operates?

A year ago, I decided to step outside the classroom and investigated about the local electricity consumption in Nepal. Frequent blackouts, unpredicted station failures, witnessing how unstable the power supply was and how inefficient the current energy conversion systems were, I was shocked that only 40% of the population had access to electricity, and the capital, Kathmandu, was suffering from power failure for up to 70-80 hours a week. Sadly, in a developing country like Nepal, it is normal. Ever since, I have been focusing on the transition of the electrical power supply system in backward regions and exploring solutions to reshape the world. This was how my question was raised.

To be able to answer it, I have been equipping myself with knowledges and skills in electrical engineering through my undergraduate studies at Tongji University. From the course Power Electronics, I have learned about how to use power electronic devices to transform and control electric energy, it strengthened my ability in optimising power usage and designing simple power electronic system. The course Power System Engineering provides me with skills in voltage adjustment and power flow calculation so that I can analyse and solve all kinds of faults in the power system. By studying C++ and Matlab, I can apply computer knowledge and programming in engineering. In the mathematical modelling contest, I analysed the train maintenance process, in which I used dynamic programming model to optimise train scheduling.

To learn more about the state-of-the-art research progress in my field, I visited some German universities and institutions representing the electrical engineering department of Tongji university last summer. I visited the PGS laboratory at RWTH Aachen University to explore the advanced technologies of wind power generation, such as the control of automatic battery charging and discharging during the process. I also attended lectures about kite power generation at Technical University of Munich and visited the Institute for Electrical Drive Systems and Power Electronics. This experience provided me with a better understanding of the significance and feasibility of power generation by renewable energy sources. Meanwhile, I was also aware that in the future, the rise of new energy vehicles would be inevitable.

While it was the visiting study that confirmed my interest in power electronics technology and motor system in new energy vehicles, it is the selective courses in my senior year that make me clearer about my future plans. Through the course New Energy Generation Technology, I am learning about the development and utilisation of new energy and the key technologies that connect the new energy generation to the power grid. And it leads me to the Power Systems Engineering MSc programme at [University Name]. I aspire to further study the knowledge in this field in New and Renewable Energy Systems, which would guide me to understand and analyse renewable and alternative power systems and utilise new technologies. The course Automotive Electronic Technology at Tongji gives me intensive training in power electronics technology in new energy vehicles. And I aspire to learn the practical application of relevant knowledge in Electrical Machines and Power Electronic Drives at [University Name]. This programme attracts me also because of its emphasis on mechatronics. Nowadays, electrical engineers and mechanical engineers cooperate with each other. Mechanical engineers complete the design of mechanical mechanism; yet the specific actions, the coordination between mechanical parts, speed, pressure, temperature, time, torque and other aspects of the coefficient control, need electrical engineers to complete. The programme’s core competitiveness lies in not only paying attention to the study of electrical knowledge, but also cultivating students' ability to systematise problems. I consider this programme at [University Name] a great opportunity to further explore the power system and I expect to take advantage of the extensive experimental facilities in [University Name], which would allow me to focus my efforts on research.

Upon graduation, I aspire to be a R&D Product Development Manager and the real-world tasks have already shaped me to be a better professional. As an intern in State Grid, I was mainly responsible for inspecting abnormal electricity consumption and formulating new operation and maintenance procedures. I analysed the line loss by testing the line parameters on the spot, reduced the loss of electric energy in the transmission process, and standardised the process to improve the results. I gained expertise in use of industry specific tools like SG186 and became more capable for problem solving. I also had a deep understanding of the knowledge I have learned in Power System Engineering and realised that I wanted to know more about things like failure analysis. I believe these practical experiences would be of great help to my graduate stage at London’s Global University.

I have always wanted to be a member of a community as innovative and rigorous as London’s Global University, and I am confident that my enthusiasm, drive and experience would make me a great fit for the programme. At [University Name], I aspire to do some research about sustainable energy and propulsion systems under the guidance of professor Kai Luo, who has in-depth research in the fields of solar energy and biomass energy. After years of experience, I hope to become a R&D Product Development Manager to promote the development of new renewable energy technologies and optimise electrical power systems. This is what I aspire to do in my life.