For digital native generations, augmented reality (AR) represents a friendly way to enrich reality with virtual, computer‐generated elements. Considering the students’ proficiency for the use of smartphones, internet and of continuously refreshing applications, AR is very suited for a modern engineering education. In this field, AR supports a better understanding and a thorough learning, while increasing the commitment and the motivation for learning. The paper presents the step‐by‐step approach to the AR technology adopted within the Power Engineering Faculty of the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, Romania. Such an approach lets students and teachers time to get used to the change, to adjust the vision of AR implementation according to the results obtained so far and to keep up to the newest available technologies. Based on the Aurasma free platform, augmented information, images, and videos were created to appear in books, presentations, and on experimental units for three laboratories. Within the paper, the way in which AR works, may be directly experienced by the reader, as it was by a group of students and faculty members included in a pilot study. According to their feedback, the use of AR in power engineering education facilitates a better understanding of this complex technical domain, providing new and challenging opportunities to integrate theory with practice and to acquire authentic skills in their professional areas.

The overall objective of this paper is to propose a viable approach to quality Education in Power Engineering during the COVID-19 period. To this end, we base the study on our previous steps in implementing Augmented Reality technology for training future engineers in the field of energy. To cope with the present challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, we analyzed the necessary paradigm shift to maintain the benefits of using Augmented Reality in teaching.

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The fast change from the old meters to the modern smart metering systems implies the adoption of new philosophies and new behaviors, both on the side of the electricity consumer and on the side of the energy chain. Real-time information available at a large scale opens new possibilities to manage the electricity consume and losses, to use energy more efficiently, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to save money. This is why the implementation of the new smart metering technologies is supported by the European legislation and by the different stakeholders. After a short overview of the smart metering systems, the paper presents the challenges of the smart metering implementation in Romania. The possible benefits and risks resulted from the roll-out report are emphasized. The need of a smart environment is discussed. The elements at the interface with the meter should be "smart" enough to be able to make use of the meter's smartness. On the consumer's side, there is also a problem of acceptance, which makes things more delicate. Consumers need time to learn, understand, accept and use the new facilities. Aiming the maximization of benefits and minimization of risks, the paper suggests a step-by-step implementation of the smart metering functionalities.

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