System Engineering: Unifying Complex Projects With Technology - Essay Sample

Introduction

Systems engineering is a technique of applying knowledge from various branches of science and engineering to introduce technological innovations into the planning and design of a complex project or a system (Hendrik & William, 2018). It is concerned with the assimilation of multiple integrated systems. Any complex project consists of many different parts that need to be completed separately but unified in the final project (Suranto, 2015). The system engineer is responsible for balancing and defining the requirements of every subsystem, which helps in the development of the final design. The most significant aspect of systems engineering is its application to the creation of innovative technological systems with the outstanding goal of putting them to use as rapidly as technical and economic considerations (Rainey & Tolk, 2015). In this case, systems engineering is perceived as the basis of technological development. The aerospace industry is the main field, where systems engineering is intensively applied.

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One practical example of systems engineering is the development of a space vehicle. Different experts in science and engineering combine their knowledge and skills to create a space vehicle (Fischer, Ludtke, Lange, Roshani, Dannemann, & Gerndt, 2017). Electrical engineers, for instance, design power and communications systems. Mechanical engineers provide stability and structure to the platform. Software engineers program the computer architecture to control the system, whereas aerospace engineers build a propulsion system (Fischer et al.,2017). Each of these groups focuses on producing the best subsystem to ensure that the final design is completed.

Another practical example of system engineering is the smart grid. A smart grid is an independent electrical network system based on digital technology for monitoring, control, and analysis within the supply chain (Gupta, Garg, & Kumar, 2015). It can provide electrical power from multiple and widely distributed sources such as turbines, winds, and solar power systems. Basically, the smart grid comprises electricity generation power plants, distribution lines, transmission networks, and energy meters of the consumers. These nodes communicate with each other over the internet, satellite, power lines carrier, and microwave to ensure continuity of electric supply to all the consumers at affordable costs (Rainey & Tolk, 2015). To attain the operational requirements of smart grid, the current hierarchical grid must be modified to automate the functions and promote flexibility.

The smart grid also takes into account the renewable and green energy sources like photo volcanic power, wind energy, and solar thermal power. The dynamic information associated with grid resources and components, as well as customers' demand and use, is needed with time stamping from the intelligent electronic device (IED) (Gupta, Garg, & Kumar, 2015). Key players in the smart grid include electrical engineers as well as computer and software programmers. Smart grid engineers design systems that can regulate smart grids and make them function effectively (Kumar & Bhimasingu, 2015). Their duty includes developing design plans and evaluates their effectiveness. So, the design of a smart grid qualifies as an example of system engineering because it requires knowledge from various disciplines like software engineering, programming, and electrical engineering.

Overall, system engineering is a multifaceted process that mainly deals with complex projects. The basic behind system engineering is that it incorporates knowledge and skills from different disciplines of science and engineering to introduce technological innovations into the planning and design of a system. Two examples of system engineering include the development of a space vehicle and a smart grid. These examples incorporate science and engineering concepts to produce an innovative technology device. Therefore, it is safe to state that a system engineering approach exhibits a high level of generality in its basic logical framework and increased concern with the primary goals to be achieved.

References

Fischer, P. M., Ludtke, D., Lange, C., Roshani, F. C., Dannemann, F., & Gerndt, A. (2017). Implementing model-based system engineering for the whole lifecycle of a spacecraft. CEAS Space Journal, 9(3), 351-365. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12567-017-0166-4

Gupta, N., Garg, R., & Kumar, P. (2015). Smart Grid-A Conceptual Design. 1-5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301519893_Smart_Grid_-_A_Conceptual_Design/link/58158acc08aedc7d89640c28/download

Hendrik, W. B., & William, K. H. (2018). Britannica. Retrieved October 19th, 2019, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/systems-engineering

Kumar, Y. P. & Bhimasingu, R. (2015). Key Aspects of Smart Grid Design for Distribution System Automation: Architecture and Responsibilities. Procedia Technology, 21(1), 352-359. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212017315002753

Rainey, L. B., & Tolk, A. (2015). Modeling and simulation support for system of systems engineering applications. New Jersey: Hoboken. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118501757

Suranto, B. (2015). Systems Engineering: Why Is It Important? Journal of Information Technology and Business Applications, 2(1), 2-7. Https://Www.Researchgate.Net/Publication/281320969_Systems_Engineering_Why_Is_IT_Important