The World needs more professional electrical engineers to build, secured electrical power grids, energy infrastructures – Habeeb Shittu

By James Okoye

Habeeb Shittu a recent graduate of masters of electrical engineer at North Carolina A & T State University where he was a research assistantship for a top scholar in the department, he was also the first author in his recently published work with IEEE some months back. While In the US, he has been dedicated to using his knowledge in solving problems relating to weak power security concerns. In this interview with our correspondent , James Okoye, on 20th, May, 2023, he speaks about how life was as a student, his next plans while focusing on why the World needs profession electrical engineers.

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in electrical engineering, and how did your past academic path prepare you for it?

Having spent my childhood in a nation where blackouts were almost a regular occurrence, I wondered why something so fundamental had to be so irregular. It was an inquiry that grew into a desire to learn more about electricity generation. I chose to study electrical engineering so that I could be part of the solution, not part of the argument. My training, right from the initial years of my bachelor’s, was lab-based with optimal hands-on sessions, simulation, and field practice. Pulling my weight to the extent of my capabilities and graduating as the best in the department, topics such as power systems, control engineering, and renewable energy technologies gave me a sound theoretical background, whereas internships and industry exposure refined my practical skills. Here I am, master’s degree in electrical engineering in the US and onto the next stage of life.

2. Looking back ten years ago, did you ever imagine you’d be so involved in power grid infrastructure and energy systems today?

Ten years ago, I considered myself to be technical but never expected my journey to take me to such a focus on national and international energy systems. My attention back then was largely focused on passing exams and learning simple electrical circuits. With each educational accomplishment and professional experience, however, I developed a feeling of the dangers and possibilities in energy systems. Being exposed to actual power grid problems in the real world such as energy thievery, grid instability, and cybersecurity woes widened my interest. Being involved in research, community-driven power projects, and capacity building seminars carved me out for this sector. Now I am aware that what was once a pipe dream is now my daily life: working towards solutions that can provide energy sustainability and security. So, although I may not have known the full picture back then, each and every step of the way made this course of action both feasible and meaningful.

3. Can you explain your area of specialization in electrical engineering, and why you chose that focus?

My field of specialization is power systems engineering with a special focus on grid protection, energy distribution, and infrastructure security. I chose this because it directly affects society. In the absence of a reliable power supply, economic development is crippled, health systems collapse, and education suffers. I have a paper in cryptography, and I plan to use this when designing power grids security. I am most interested in the sophistication involved in running a power grid, serving load requests, avoiding outages, and safeguarding infrastructure from physical or cyber-attacks. I also delve into smart grid technologies and renewable energy integration, especially how we can make grids more adaptive and intelligent. My interest was sparked by the gap that I observed in most developing regions of the globe, whose power systems are aging and not well maintained. I felt that through specializing in power systems, I could be contributing to something larger than myself, something that affects the lives of millions of people daily. My specialization allows me to design, optimize, and protect crucial infrastructure driving civilization today.

4. Why is the role of professional electrical engineers crucial in building secure and reliable energy infrastructures globally?

Electrical engineers are the pillars of contemporary energy infrastructure. From transmission line design to optimizing the smart grid and ensuring energy security, they cannot be replaced. Power grids are prone to outages, inefficiencies, and even intentional interference if there is no competent professional in this area. With the growing energy needs across the whole world due to urbanization, industrialization, and global deployment of digital technology, there is increasingly more demand for smart, dependable infrastructure. Electrical engineers provide the engineering creativity needed to construct and operate such systems, such as the incorporation of renewable energy, handling energy storage, and designing algorithms for real-time monitoring. Safety is also an increasingly important issue, with grids increasingly interconnected and susceptible to cyberattacks. Professional engineers alone can anticipate such vulnerabilities and engineer such protection. Basically, the security and stability of our power grids and thus our economies and way of life are in direct relationship with the availability and proficiency of electrical engineers.

5. What are the biggest security risks to power grids and how can engineers help mitigate them?

Power grids are vulnerable to cyber and physical threats. Physically, the threats include equipment failure, natural accidents, and sabotage. Cyber-attacks are becoming more advanced and perilous. Hackers can potentially intrude into grid management systems, interfere with communication between control centers, or even close down entire power plants. Another threat is not having enough skilled personnel to capture anomalies before they turn into bigger problems. Engineers are most pivotal to working on such challenges. They design redundancy systems which guarantee continuity even if there is a failure. Engineers also utilize real-time monitoring and control systems that deploy machine learning to identify and react to anomalous behavior. Engineers also assist in designing resilient cybersecurity frameworks consisting of firewalls, encryption, and secure access protocols. Besides technology, engineers also make their contributions through risk assessment, contingency planning, and capacity building. There must be continuous training and development. Engineers are not just responders; they are first responders in building robust and secure power systems.

6. What are the latest innovations in power systems or grid engineering that you believe will shape the future of global energy security?

Several of the latest innovations are transforming the power industry. The first of these is implementation of smart grids intelligent systems, which make use of real-time data to optimize electricity supply, reduce losses, and predict breakdowns before they happen. The second innovation is integration of renewable solar and wind power are becoming more and more feasible with advancements in inverter technologies and improved grid storage devices. Third, blockchain technology is also tested on decentralized energy transactions, optimizing and securing peer-to-peer energy trading. Microgrids are another emerging technology which enables local power generation and can be applied off-grid during primary grid outages critical in disaster zones. AI and machine learning are also being used more and more to simulate load demands, predict faults, and improve grid security. These technologies collectively open the door to a more dynamic, more efficient, and more resilient power grid. Those engineers keeping abreast of these technologies are contributing to making the energy system we construct not only operational but future-proof.

7. If you were given a million-dollar grant and a strong interdisciplinary team, what project would you initiate to improve grid reliability or energy infrastructure?

With a million-dollar budget and an engaged interdisciplinary team, I would establish a pilot project to pilot and innovate community-based renewable energy-powered microgrids and linked with smart monitoring devices. The objective would be to deliver round-the-clock power to impoverished rural or semi-urban communities while establishing an energy resilience framework scalable at scale. It would be equipped with solar panels, windmills, and intelligent storage units, controlled by an online management system with the capability to forecast usage patterns, identify malfunctions, and even arrange local energy trading. The team of staff would comprise electrical engineers, data scientists, policy analysts, and social scientists to ensure the technology is technologically viable and socially and economically acceptable. Training and capacity building at the local level would be included in the plan to make it sustainable. The overall goal is to demonstrate that smart, secure, and decentralized energy infrastructure can revitalize the local economy while reinforcing national energy security.

8. What practical strategies do you think could improve national grids in regions struggling with unstable power supply, such as Nigeria?

Upgrading the national grid in countries such as Nigeria needs a holistic approach. One, replace aging infrastructure. Most of the transmission and distribution system is aging and cannot handle the current loads placed on it. Invest in advanced transformers, intelligent meters, and grid automation using monies. Two, diversify the energy mix by incorporating renewables such as solar and wind to minimize dependence on hydro and gas. Three, use real-time monitoring systems to track and repair faults in real time. Fourth, decentralize power generation through standalone solar home systems and micro-grids. Fifth, mitigate energy theft and losses, the root causes of the majority of power wastage, using modern metering and digital audit technology. Finally, create good policy frameworks and increase public-private partnerships. It is not something that can be achieved single-handedly by the government. It needs cooperation from trained personnel, foreign investors, and local residents. Through political will and strategic investments, power can be assured.

9. What are some personal or professional challenges you’ve faced in this field, and how have you overcome them?

One of the greatest challenges has been access to new tools and technologies, particularly when I first started years ago. Institutions in third-world countries hardly ever have high-end simulation software, test equipment, or even current data to work with. I did get around this by looking for free tools, online training, and overseas fellowships. Getting to the US, things are better, and I am ready to give it all. The other challenge has been staying at the same pace as the rapid-moving state of innovation. Power systems engineering is evolving rapidly, and just to remain in the game one has to learn day in and day out. To stay ahead, I joined professional associations, took subscriptions of academic journals, attended seminars and webinars. On a personal front, balancing technical work with softer skills like communication and project management was especially difficult in the beginning. But it struck me that leadership and collaboration are as important as technical prowess. Mentoring and feedback assisted in my development as a person, and presently I try to repay the same by mentoring newcomers into the profession.

10. If invited to lead a national agency on power grid development or energy reform, would you accept? What would be your priority areas?

In fact. If I were given the option to head an agency of this sort, I would consider it a privilege and a duty. As a first step, I would do a comprehensive energy infrastructure audit to try to get some idea of our grid’s status quo, identify weaknesses, and set priorities for strengthening. Second, I would encourage decentralizing power generation, getting energy to states and communities near home and enabling the creation of micro-grids. Third, I would invest in smart grid technologies and digitalization to further monitor, bill, and predict maintenance. I’d also establish capacity-building programs for engineers and technicians to ensure we have the necessary skilled manpower to service the systems. Transparency, innovation, and stakeholder engagement would be bywords of my administration. My dream would be a world where all homes and businesses can afford to access clean, inexpensive, and renewable electricity because if electricity is not accessible, then development becomes a mirage.

11. What advice would you give to young Nigerians or aspiring engineers anywhere who want to play a role in building future-ready energy systems?

My advice is: begin where you are, do what you have, and never cease learning. Electrical engineering is a broad and ever-changing field, yet the roots operate on curiosity, discipline, and enthusiasm for problem-solving. Educate yourself formally and informally earnestly. Master the fundamentals, but also venture into cutting-edge technologies such as smart grids, solar PV systems, and cybersecurity. Don’t wait until graduation to gain experience, volunteer, intern, build small projects, and join engineering communities. Network with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn and attend webinars or workshops. If possible, find a mentor who can guide your path. Most importantly, believe in your ability to contribute meaningfully, even if you’re starting from a place with limited resources. The world requires hardworking, capable engineers, particularly ones who understand the requirements of their society. You are not only able to burn homes, but futures as well.