ICT 100 - Energy Industry Fundamentals

1. Explain the basic and emerging principles and concepts that impact the energy industry.
2. Apply compliance procedures to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
3. Describe electric power generation.
4. Describe electric power transmission.
5. Describe electric power distribution.
6. Explain natural gas transmission and distribution.
7. Identify energy-related careers and describe entry requirements.
8. Evaluate and analyze trending topics in the energy industry.

1. Overview of the Energy Industry
   1. Energy flow
   2. History of U.S. energy industry and infrastructure
   3. Role and function of generation, transmission, and distribution organizations
   4. Role of regulatory bodies within the energy industry
   5. Environmental laws and regulations
   6. Structure of energy companies
      1. Investor-owned utilities
      2. Municipalities
      3. Electric cooperatives
      4. Independent power producers
   7. Energy business
   8. Electric metering and billing
   9. Unions
2. Safe and Healthy Work Environment
   1. U.S. Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
   2. Hazards and accidents
   3. Established safety procedures
   4. Evaluating environmental changes
   5. Effective local, state, and national security operations
   6. Safety procedures and work performance
   7. Potential threats and improper use of equipment
   8. User manuals and safety training
   9. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
      1. Safety glasses
      2. Hearing protection
      3. Gloves
      4. Work boots
      5. Hard hats
   10. Equipment maintenance
   11. Safe tool and equipment use
   12. Hazardous conditions
   13. First aid certification and response procedures
   14. Lockout/tagout procedures
   15. Notifying others of unsafe work conditions
3. Electric Power Generation
   1. Electric power generation systems
   2. Equipment and systems
   3. Conventional fuel sources and the cost-efficiency of each type
      1. Oil
      2. Coal
      3. Natural gas
      4. Water used in hydroelectric power generation
      5. Uranium
   4. Emerging and alternative technologies and fuel sources
      1. Solar
      2. Wind
      3. Geothermal
      4. Biomass
      5. Ocean wave
   5. Advantages and disadvantages of various technologies
      1. Fossil
      2. Nuclear
      3. Emerging alternative energy systems
4. Electric Power Transmission
   1. Electric power transmission process
   2. Electric power transmission principles
   3. Equipment and systems
   4. Emerging technologies
      1. Distribution automation
      2. SmartGrid systems
5. Electric Power Distribution
6. Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution
   1. Fundamentals of natural gas
   2. Gas transmission and distribution network
      1. Metering
      2. Regulating stations
7. Careers in the Energy Industry
   1. Entry-level careers in energy generation, transmission, and distribution
      1. Education and experience requirements
      2. Development and advancement opportunities
   2. Business and corporate support functions of the energy industry
   3. Wages and salaries
   4. Benefits
   5. Advantages of careers in the energy industry
8. Energy Topics
   1. Trending issues in the energy industry
   2. Energy efficiency and conservation
   3. Alternative energy
      1. Wind
      2. Solar
      3. Biomass
      4. Geothermal
   4. Emerging technologies
      1. Ocean wave
      2. Algae
      3. Clean coal
      4. Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC)
   5. SmartGrid and Time of Use (TOU) technologies
   6. Key energy regulatory topics
      1. Cap and trade
      2. Efficiency